Los Angeles

The mutation continues while Marvel Studios is making movies down the street. This area now includes its own mini-Hollywood; CSI: Miami and other shows film at Raleigh Studios. Planes from LAX rip the sky, and the 405's congestion encroaches, heightening the odd juxtaposition of Main Street coziness and increasingly obvious pollution. Generally, LA natives seem to prefer Manhattan to any other beach, smog and chemtrails notwithstanding—it's an international volleyball and wave-catching mecca, and the place where the Beach Boys first saw people surfing.

Landmarks

• Chevron Oil Refinery • Rosecrans Ave & Sepulveda Blvd
It ain’t pretty, but it’s definitely noticeable.

• Manhattan Beach Pier • West of Manhattan Beach Blvd
Don’t miss the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium at the end of the pier!

Nightlife

• Baja Sharkeez • 3600 Highland Ave
310-545-8811
Post-college hangout with good grub.

• Ercoles • 1101 Manhattan Ave
310-372-1997
Ultimate late-night meet-up spot; laid back meat market.

• Hennessey’s Tavern • 313 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-546-4813
Typical Irish pub; nuff said.

• OB’s Pub and Grill • 3610 N Highland Ave
310-546-1542
Taco Tuesdays, beer, and tvs galore. Plus peanuts to chuck at your buddies.

• Pancho’s • 3615 Highland Ave
310-545-6670
Great house band on weekends and killer margs.

• Pockets Sports Bar • 516 N Sepulveda Blvd
310-372-4343
Uber sports junkies bar with lots o’ games.

• Purple Orchid • 221 Richmond St
310-322-5829
Come for the Tikis, stay for the stiff drinks.

• Rock and Brews • 143 Main St
310-615-9890
Gene Simmons-owned bar featuring huge patio.

• Shark’s Cove • 309 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-545-2683
Sports bar with nightly specials.

• Shellback Tavern • 116 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-376-7857
Roll off the beach to this South Bay staple with good stiff drinks.

• Side Door • 900 Manhattan Ave
310-372-1084
South Bay’s attempt at a Hollywood lounge.

• Summer’s Sports Bar • 3770 N Highland Ave
310-545-9333
Lots of TVs, two pool tables, not much else.

• The Tavern on Main • 123 Main St
310-322-3645
Big beer steins and above average bar food. Definitely a local spot.

Restaurants

• Blue Butterfly Coffee Co. • 351 Main St
310-640-7687 • $
Coffee house cafe.

• Brew Co. • 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-798-2744 • $$
Burgers and home brewed beer.

• Café Pierre • 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-545-5252 • $$
Fine dining with an eclectic menu.

• El Tarasco • 316 Rosecrans Ave
310-545-4241 • $
Open late; good Mexican food a block from the beach.

• Fonz’s • 1017 Manhattan Ave
310-376-1536 • $$$
Steak and seafood. Good for group dinners.

• Fusion Sushi • 1150 N Morningside Dr
310-802-1160 • $$
Innovative without sacrificing taste.

• The Habit Burger Grill • 311 N Sepulveda Blvd
310-524-9016 • $
Simple menu, quality food. Crowded especially at lunch.

• Houston’s • 1550 Rosecrans Ave
310-643-7211 • $$$
Casual, upscale American favorites.

• The Hummus Factory • 204 E Grand Ave
310-322-1000 • $
Super friendly staff makes the mediocre food more enjoyable.

• Katsu! • 302 Rosecrans Ave
310-546-3761 • $$
Happy Hour = 99 cent beer + $2.50 hand rolls. Awesome.

• The Kettle • 1138 Highland Ave
310-545-8511 • $$
24 hours, a block from the Manhattan Pier, good brunch.

• Le Pain Quotidien • 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-546-6411 • $$
Tasty and healthy salads, sandwiches, and desserts.

• The Local Yolk • 3414 Highland Ave
310-546-4407 • $
Get breakfast here after you drop Aunt Mira off at the airport.

• Mama D’s • 1125 Manhattan Ave
310-546-1492 • $$$
Old school Italian with large portions. Complimentary garlic knots are delicious but lethal.

• Mangiamo • 128 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-318-3434 • $$$$
Light Northern Italian with romantic wine grotto.

• MB Post • 1142 Manhattan Ave
310-545-5405 • $$$
Inimitable burgers, swaggering sauce, and laid-back Manhattan Beach attitude.

• Mucho Ultima Mexicana • 903 Manhattan Ave
310-374-4422 • $$$$$
Upscale Cal-Mexican with good margaritas.

• North End Caffé • 3421 Highland Ave
310-546-4782 • $
Sandwiches, salads, and fries with four dipping sauces.

• OB’s Pub and Grill • 3610 N Highland Ave
310-546-1542 • $$
Taco Tuesdays, beer, and tvs galore. Plus peanuts to chuck at your buddies.

• The Original Rinaldi’s • 323 Main St
310-647-2860 • $
Comes highly recommended . . . and rightfully so.

• Petros • 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-545-4100 • $$$$$
Styling’ Greek food in hip setting. Don’t miss the limoncello shots.

• Rock’n Fish • 120 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-379-9900 • $$
Always packed. Lunch and dinner from the sea.

• Second City Bistro • 223 Richmond St
310-322-6085 • $$$
Food is creative American. Don’t miss the free wine tastings on Mondays.

• Simmzy’s • 229 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-546-1201 • $$
Open air and great food for the beer connoisseur.

• Sloopy’s • 3416 Highland Ave
310-545-1373 • $
Go for the burgers and patio seating.

• Snax Burgers • 202 E Imperial Ave
310-640-9766 • $
Burgers and Mexican? Yes Please.

• SusieCakes • 3500 N Sepulveda Blvd
310-303-3780 • $$$
Cakes, cupcakes and cookies made from scratch . . . (try the German Chocolate!)

• Uncle Bill’s Pancake House • 1305 Highland Ave
310-545-5177 • $$
Breakfast by the beach.

• Veggie Grill • 720 S Allied Way
310-535-0025 • $
Where the vegetarians go to eat ‘meat’. Surprisingly delish and meat-like.

• Versailles • 1000 N Sepulveda Blvd
310-937-6829 • $$
The LA institution’s garlicy Cuban grub will stay with you.

This mostly residential community boasts a more laid-back, mature nightlife scene than its scrappier neighbor Hermosa Beach. There's an abundance of eccentric shops and cafes. Café Pierre, a French bistro, has been a local fixture since '77. The area near the main pier of Manhattan County Beach draws the biggest crowds, and stays lively at night after the beachcombers, volleyball players, and metal detector dudes clear out. Savvy locals love the nearby El Porto Beach for its quiet(er) shores and massive waves.

Shopping

• Bacchus Wine Made Simple • 1000 Manhattan Ave
310-372-2021
The best neighborhood wine store with a huge variety of gourmet food.

• Diane’s Beach Fever • 1125 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-546-9868
Huge selection of bikinis and beachwear.

• Diane’s Beachwear • 125 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-546-5869
Huge selection of bikinis and beachwear.

• Dolly Rocker • 212 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-374-3396
Rock star clothes and accessories.

• East Coast Bagel • 3014 N Sepulveda Blvd
310-546-0089
Big selection of bagels and bagel accoutrements.

• Fry’s Electronics • 3600 N Sepulveda Blvd
310-364-3797
Polynesian-themed electronic superstore.

• Katwalk • 312 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-543-4500
Brilliant designer knockoffs at low prices

• Lucky Brand • 1113 Manhattan Ave
310-798-8000
You can’t help but get lucky here.

• Magpie • 1141 Highland Ave
310-546-5132
Classy, conversation-starting home décor.

• Mandarine • 329 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-546-1545
Trendy clothing that’s well made and at low prices. Be sure to always check out the sale rack.

• Michael Stars • 1114 Manhattan Ave
310-376-8700
A variety of one size fit all seasonless tanks and tops.

• Skechers • 1121 Manhattan Ave
310-318-3116
Funky sneakers and sandals at corporate headquarters’ shop.

• Tabula Rasa Essentials • 919 Manhattan Ave
310-318-3385
Greatest bath and body store ever. Ideal for girly-girl presents.

• True Religion Brand Jeans • 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd
310-406-3882
Uber trendy and expensive jeans that only look good on a few.