Manhattan Beach, Coastal city in Los Angeles County, United States.
Manhattan Beach is a city in Los Angeles County situated along the Pacific coast with more than 3 kilometers of sandy shoreline. The pier extends into the ocean and serves as a central gathering point with views across the waves and surrounding hillsides.
The coastline was originally home to the Tongva people and was granted in 1784 to Juan José Domínguez by the Spanish Crown as part of Rancho San Pedro. The town developed into a beach resort during the early 20th century, drawing settlers who built wooden houses along the shore.
The Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament gathers professional players and spectators who compete on sand courts near the shore during summer months. Locals gather along the waterfront to watch surfers and enjoy ocean air, while shops and cafés reflect the relaxed pace of daily life in this coastal community.
Visitors can walk along the waterfront path or explore the pier, which offers wide views across the water. Most streets near the beach have public parking that fills up depending on the time of day, so arriving in the morning often makes for an easier visit.
Bruce's Beach opened in 1912 as the first beach resort for Black Americans in Southern California before the city seized it in 1924. Today a small park remembers the site and serves as a witness to past injustice as well as a space for reflection and conversation.
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