At the top, turn right on Inglewood and follow the road as it heads downhill, enjoying the view that opens up to include Century City to the east and the Santa Monica Mountains to the west. The flight path of Santa Monica Airport is directly ahead, so you may see some planes coming in for landing.
Walk a few short blocks to Stanwood Drive and turn left. Now it’s time to head back uphill, but you’ll be rewarded at the crest with a view of the ocean.
Continue back down the hill until you reach Bundy Drive, and turn right.
Walk one block on Bundy to Airport Avenue and then turn left to cross at the intersection.
Follow Airport Avenue back to where you started at Airport Park.
Mar Vista
Points of Interest
6 Manhattan Beach
Conqueror of the sand dune!
BOUNDARIES: Rosecrans Ave., Blanche Rd., Manhattan Beach Blvd., Pacific Ocean
DISTANCE: About 2.5 miles
DIFFICULTY: Easy
PARKING: Free street parking is available on Bell Avenue.
One of the South Bay’s wealthiest cities, Manhattan Beach in many ways presents more of an Orange County vibe than an LA one. Popular with families for its strong school district and with everyone for its stunning seaside location and all-around pleasantness, this beach town is more laid-back than Santa Monica but decidedly more upscale than Venice.
Walk Description
Begin at
Walk southeast on Bell Avenue, away from the park, passing a schoolyard on the right.
Turn right on 24th Street and head uphill. This residential area, known as the Gas Lamp Section, features adorable houses squeezed together on fairly small lots, much like many SoCal seaside communities. You’ll pass the front of Grand View Elementary School before reaching the top of the hill, which affords an expansive view of the ocean a few blocks ahead.
Turn right on Highland Avenue and walk one block to 25th Street.
Cross Highland at the sidewalk and then follow the 25th Street walkway all the way down to the Strand, as the beachside pedestrian/bicycle path is called throughout the South Bay beach cities. At this point, the pedestrian walkway is completely separate from the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which is a few steps down below next to the sand, making for a pleasant stroll unimpeded by two-wheelers.
Turn left to follow the Strand a little under 0.75 mile to the
When you reach the pier, you may choose to walk its length of about 900 feet to reach the distinctive Roundhouse at the far end, which houses a small aquarium, typically open in the afternoons on weekdays and all day on weekends. Admission to the Roundhouse Aquarium is free, although donations are welcomed.
After visiting the pier, head east on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, climbing uphill past the touristy shops and restaurants.
Turn left on Highland Avenue, passing pricey boutiques as well as enduringly popular restaurants such as
Turn right when you reach Uncle Bill’s onto 13th Street. You’ll pass the police department on your left and Shade, a boutique hotel, on your right. You may choose to explore the plaza around Shade, which features a mosaic fountain, a neat wind sculpture, and, if you venture in a little farther, several more restaurants.
Turn left on Valley Drive.
Cross 15th Street and then cross Valley Drive to reach the grassy meridian. This wide center island features a tree-shaded walkway known as Veterans Parkway.
Turn left to follow the wood-chip walking path down the center of the meridian, passing the sports fields and playgrounds of Live Oak Park on your left. Keep an eye out for a sculpture titled A Wave for the Future, which houses a time capsule placed by the Manhattan Beach Leadership Class of 2000. The scent of the eucalyptus and conifers planted along the parkway gives it a pleasant woodsy feel even though you’re less than 0.25 mile from the beach.
When you reach Blanche Road, follow the stairway on your left down to the street, and then cross the street to head north on Blanche.
Cross 25th Street and continue straight ahead on Bell Avenue. Follow Bell back to your starting point near Sand Dune Park.
Manhattan Beach
Points of Interest