, 
As an adventurous traveler in the know, you’re onto the fact that some of the best beach spots are a little more hidden — think Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo. Here’s the best way to enjoy a fun-packed three day weekend at L.A.'s beautiful Beach Cities.
I recently teamed up with Discover Los Angeles for a little staycation in Venice Beach. I love everything about L.A. and feel so lucky anytime I get the chance to have adventures in my own city. Every time I take a staycation I fall more and more in love with Los Angeles.
Renowned for some of the best surfing waves in Southern California and regarded as the birthplace of beach volleyball, Manhattan Beach is a real-deal beach community. Naturally a day in Manhattan Beach can easily be enjoyed by strolling along The Strand, setting up camp on the white sand and spending hours in the water. But with great shops, restaurants and activities peppered along Manhattan Beach Boulevard, there is so much more to explore on foot. Many Angelenos prefer Manhattan Beach because it's usually less crowded than other local beaches. Come for the day or stay for the weekend - Manhattan Beach is the ideal destination for an accessible beach getaway. Read on for our walking guide to Manhattan Beach.
Hermosa Beach is located in the heart of the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Situated between Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, Hermosa is on the southern end of the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail, aka The Strand. Besides oceanfront biking, there are many activities that make Hermosa a prime beach destination, including beach volleyball, surfing, paddle boarding and sandcastle building. The hub of the action in Hermosa is centered on Pier Avenue, filled with notable restaurants, coastal-cool shops and fun bars. Read our guide to discover all the great places that make Hermosa Beach special.
With over 4,600 boat slips, Marina del Rey is the largest man-made small-craft harbor in North America. Prior to its development, the Marina was a marshland popular for fishing and duck hunting. Various development plans date back to the 1880s, but it wasn’t until 1954 that President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Marina as a federal project. Over 50 years later, the Marina is a thriving residential and boating community with year-round water sports, waterfront dining, and harbor cruises.
Whether you're on your honeymoon, an exciting getaway with that special someone or just a romantic at heart, these amour-inducing stops at the new terminal are sure to help spice things up or just offer an opportunity to enjoy time together.
While San Pedro is part of the city of Los Angeles, a trip there would convince a visitor otherwise, as the harbor-front community offers a truly distinctive experience. With San Pedro (pronounced “PEE-dro”) annexed to L.A. in 1909, the Port of Los Angeles was dredged shortly thereafter, creating a thriving community of about 80,000 people comprised of a fascinating mix of Greek-, Mexican-, Irish-, Italian- and Croatian-Americans. Much of the L.A. Waterfront can be explored on foot or via the 1.5-mile Waterfront Red Car Line. The truly adventurous can opt for an excellent side trip to Catalina Island.
This full-day itinerary takes approximately six to eight hours if all stops are visited. You may want to set aside an entire day to enjoy the optional trip to Catalina Island. Skip stops if you are running low on time, or want to spend more time enjoying a particular point of interest.
Recommended Methods of Travel: Walking, Water Front Red Car
Total Distance: 5 miles. Distance Walking: 1.5 miles.
For more Car Free L.A. guides, click here.
From its world famous boardwalk and beautiful beach to the shopper’s paradise of Abbot Kinney Blvd., if you're looking for cool things to do in California, Venice Beach offers a unique and vibrant mix of activities and attractions. Read on to find out more about one of L.A.’s top neighborhoods.
Here are some of our favorite places near LAX, where you can relax and get acquainted with L.A. or take one last look at the city before you head home.
