The casual, laid-back lifestyle coupled with seemingly year round sun makes it a great place to start the day off with a famous Manhattan Beach breakfast. Uncle Bill’s Pancake House is a favorite of the locals and tourists in-the-know who are after some of the best pancakes in Los Angeles. With a string of top ten finishes in the Los Angeles Citysearch’s Best of Breakfast category, it’s no wonder customers keep coming back for more. Down the street, The Kettle, at the corner of Highland Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd., is a charming coffee shop, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Its large kettle located outside is considered a landmark of Manhattan Beach. Another local favorite, the Koffee Kart, is known for delicious omelets and hunger-pang killing breakfast burritos. The prompt and friendly service keeps the food coming out of the kitchen in a punctual manner and with a smile.
The downtown district’s bike path and pier offer free activities to burn off that tall stack of pancakes or omelet and home fries. The bike path can be utilized for running, biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading, either at a leisurely pace or for more strenuous exercise. At the end of the pier, sits the Roundhouse Marine Lab & Aquarium which houses displays, as well as, live underwater species. Special exhibits allow for touching of the live marine animals and provide fun for the whole family. Beach Volleyball courts on either side of the pier are open to the public and provide competition for all skill levels.
With over one hundred stores, an afternoon shopping at Downtown Manhattan Beach provides for a wide variety and much selection. Island Sport and Manhattan Surf & Sport carry a large selection of men’s and women’s swimwear, surf apparel, and accessories. Since 1997, Dollyrocker boutique carries the latest in modern contemporary attire. Up the street, Wright’s features all the latest fashionable must-haves. For the very latest in designer casual, the flagship stores of Michael Stars and True Religion Brand Jeans set the stage for new styles. Envie Boutique and Manhattan Denim are two of Downtown Manhattan Beach's newest stores and provide even more choices for fashionistas.
Tabula Rasa Essentials, Magpie, Christie and Bacchus Wine Made Simple offer special products and premium services. At Tabula Rasa Essentials, treat yourself to unforgettable, exotically scented products that soothe your soul and scent your home. Featuring a unique assortment of exclusive brands and innovative products, they offer a little something for everyone, even the most discerning shoppers. Magpie carries a plethora of gifts from classic styles to today’s trends. For custom invitations, greeting cards, stationery and writing accoutrements, Christie is the place to go. Bacchus houses an impressive selection of boutique wines. Categorizing wine by style, character, and dominant elements makes the shopping here all the more enjoyable with wine tastings held six days a week.
At the recently opened Cacao Couture Chocolates, busy shoppers can indulge on organic truffles, caramels, and toffees. All of the selections contain neither hydrogenated oils nor preservatives. Down the street, Coco Noche pairs exquisite wines with luscious chocolates and tantalizing small bites. Manhattan Beach Creamery, offers super premium ice cream all made on the premises, and Becker’s Bakery and Deli, another favorite stop for children, has been delighting young palates with their cupcakes since 1942!
From creative beachside bistros to elegant restaurants, Downtown Manhattan Beach is the perfect place to grab dinner after a full day of shopping. Mama D’s Original Kitchen’s can’t miss garlic bread, house specialty pink sauce, and great service, keep this local favorite packed on weeknights and weekends. Mangiamo and Talia's Restaurant, also Italian-inspired, have been two of the South Bays' favorite eateries for years. Fusion and Penny Lane Sushi have a large selection of fresh sushi, sashimi, and rolls, while Café Pierre offers a wide variety of seasonal and regional French Cuisine. Manhattan Beach Brewing Company serves microbrews with an extensive menu of American favorites. The newly opened Mucho features contemporary Mexican food with an endless selection of premium Tequilas. For fine dining, Fonz’s serves up tender steaks and succulent seafood. And, with entrees like the Japanese kurobuta pork chop served with sweet potato puree, and soy and ginger glazed shitake mushrooms, a meal at Towne promises to never disappoint.
The nightlife heats up after dinner in Downtown Manhattan Beach, a popular destination among Los Angeles’s top professional athletes. Zinc Lounge located inside Shade Hotel has a cool Hollywood vibe and sophistication without the attitude. For the late hours, Twelve and Highland transforms itself from supper house into a thriving club with dj and dancing. Sharks Cove, Hennessey’s, Shellback Tavern, and Ercoles offer casual, laid back atmospheres and televise numerous sporting events.
An overview of Downtown Manhattan Beach would not be complete without mention of the Metlox Center, the sixty-four thousand square foot extension of downtown. This former pottery manufacturing center now houses, among others: Shade, the new luxury boutique hotel recently included on Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List, Petros Greek Cuisine and Lounge named Top Greek Restaurant 2008 by Zagat Survey of Los Angeles, Trilogy Spa offering island-inspired treatments, and Waterleaf Interiors & Accessories home furnishings for all occasions. Ample underground long-term metered parking is available below the Metlox Center.
About Manhattan Beach -- Manhattan Beach is in Los Angeles County, 3 miles south of
Los Angeles International Airport and 15 miles south of Santa Monica. Locals and visitors alike take advantage of the sun, sand, and surf. In the fall, the AVP comes to town and hosts the Manhattan Beach Open, one of the most prestigious pro volleyball tournaments in America.
There are nine public parking lots in the Downtown area. Most parking spaces have two-hour metered parking from 9am to 8pm seven days a week. Meter prices range from $0.50 an hour to $1.00 an hour.
The Gateway to LA airport business district partners with Downtown Manhattan Beach to offer the Ocean Express Shuttle, a free round-trip shuttle service from LAX hotels to Downtown Manhattan Beach running daily from 10am to 9pm. Pick up the shuttle at 5249 W. Century Blvd. and exit at stop 8—Manhattan Beach Pier Downtown. For more shuttle stops, timetables, and a map please visit http://www.gatewaytola.org/
For more information and directions to Downtown Manhattan Beach, please visit the website: http://DowntownManhattanBeach.com or contact Mary Ann Varni at 310-379-9901 maryann@downtownmanhattanbeach.com. For media relations, contact Alexia Haidos at Double A Public Relations and Marketing, 310.450.6890 or Alexia@doublea-
