Cary’s guidebook
Beach
El Porto – 15 minutes (7 miles)
This is the go-to beach for our family. El Porto Beach is located in northern Manhattan Beach. The waves in this area are often times larger than nearby beaches so it’s well-known to the local surfers. There is a parking lot with metered parking.
10 locals recommend
El Porto Beach
4499-4401 The StrandEl Porto – 15 minutes (7 miles)
This is the go-to beach for our family. El Porto Beach is located in northern Manhattan Beach. The waves in this area are often times larger than nearby beaches so it’s well-known to the local surfers. There is a parking lot with metered parking.
Dockweiler – 12 minutes (5 miles)
Dockweiler State Beach is the long beach west of the LAX Airport. The main entrance to Dockweiler is at the west end of Imperial Highway where it ends at Vista Del Mar. Parking in this lot is a flat daily rate. Dockweiler offers a wide sandy beach with lifeguards & fire pits. This beach gets very crowded on summer weekends and holidays. Farther south but with a separate entrance off Vista Del Mar is the Bluff Parking Lot and Dockweiler South Beach. This lot offers pay by the hour.
144 locals recommend
Dockweiler Beach Charging Station
12000 Vista Del MarDockweiler – 12 minutes (5 miles)
Dockweiler State Beach is the long beach west of the LAX Airport. The main entrance to Dockweiler is at the west end of Imperial Highway where it ends at Vista Del Mar. Parking in this lot is a flat daily rate. Dockweiler offers a wide sandy beach with lifeguards & fire pits. This beach gets very crowded on summer weekends and holidays. Farther south but with a separate entrance off Vista Del Mar is the Bluff Parking Lot and Dockweiler South Beach. This lot offers pay by the hour.
Manhattan Beach Pier – 20 minutes (8 miles)
Manhattan Beach is a popular beach that becomes a madhouse on weekends especially near Manhattan Pier in the summer and during beach events. There are several small parking lots. Metered street parking is available along Manhattan Avenue which runs north-south a block or so from the sand.
334 locals recommend
Manhattan Beach Pier
2 Manhattan Beach BlvdManhattan Beach Pier – 20 minutes (8 miles)
Manhattan Beach is a popular beach that becomes a madhouse on weekends especially near Manhattan Pier in the summer and during beach events. There are several small parking lots. Metered street parking is available along Manhattan Avenue which runs north-south a block or so from the sand.
Toes Beach – 10 minutes (4 miles)
Toes Beach is the closest beach. The sand is very wide, so it is a longer trek to the water than the other beaches on the list. It is located in Playa Del Rey at Culver Blvd and Pacific Ave. The best public parking is near Del Rey Lagoon Park, where you can find a parking lot as well as street parking.
53 locals recommend
Playa Del Rey Beach
7313-7351 S Marine AveToes Beach – 10 minutes (4 miles)
Toes Beach is the closest beach. The sand is very wide, so it is a longer trek to the water than the other beaches on the list. It is located in Playa Del Rey at Culver Blvd and Pacific Ave. The best public parking is near Del Rey Lagoon Park, where you can find a parking lot as well as street parking.
Hiking
This is my dog's favorite place. The bluff trail seen from the backyard is accessible by a short 10 minute walk. Head east on McConnell Ave and take the second left on Dunbarton Ave. Walk to where the street curves to the right and take the path between the two houses at the corner. There is a sloped trail that will take you down to the bluff trail.
There is an upper trail and a lower trail. The two trails are connected at this middle point, 1.3 miles to the West at Lincoln Blvd and 0.6 miles to the East at Bluff Creek Drive. Playa Vista is only accessible at either end of the trail.
The bluff trail is not lit at night.
7 locals recommend
Bluff Creek Trail
Unnamed RoadThis is my dog's favorite place. The bluff trail seen from the backyard is accessible by a short 10 minute walk. Head east on McConnell Ave and take the second left on Dunbarton Ave. Walk to where the street curves to the right and take the path between the two houses at the corner. There is a sloped trail that will take you down to the bluff trail.
There is an upper trail and a lower trail. The two trails are connected at this middle point, 1.3 miles to the West at Lincoln Blvd and 0.6 miles to the East at Bluff Creek Drive. Playa Vista is only accessible at either end of the trail.
The bluff trail is not lit at night.
Food - Breakfast
The Coffee Company
8751 La Tijera BlvdJ Nichols Kitchen
4375 Glencoe AveFood - Lunch/Dinner
Oaxacan influenced Mexican food with a full bar and large selection of beers on tap.
48 locals recommend
Cinco
7241 W Manchester AveOaxacan influenced Mexican food with a full bar and large selection of beers on tap.
California coastal cuisine. Offers casual lunch counter style, full dinner and a whiskey bar. Located near the beach in Playa del Rey.
126 locals recommend
Playa Provisions
119 Culver BlvdCalifornia coastal cuisine. Offers casual lunch counter style, full dinner and a whiskey bar. Located near the beach in Playa del Rey.
The Manchester
8522 Lincoln BoulevardExcellent cocktails, a small restaurant but very close and walkable (Dinner only).
Hacienda Del Rey
8347 Lincoln BlvdFun local Mexican restaurant.
Groceries
The closest option is Vons grocery store on Emerson Avenue, a short 1 mile walk. They also have a deli section in the front.
226 locals recommend
Vons
4030 S Centinela AveThe closest option is Vons grocery store on Emerson Avenue, a short 1 mile walk. They also have a deli section in the front.
Bristol Farms
8448 Lincoln BlvdBristol Farms on Lincoln is about 2 miles.