City Manager

Welcome to Manhattan Beach; a classic, casual California beach town with easy access to LAX. We are a residential community of just over 35,000 residents with an award-winning school district, unique shops and restaurants, worldwide corporate headquarters, and signature community traditions that are open to all.  Did I mention that the Beach Boys loved it here? In the 1962 hit song, “Surfin USA,” the Beach Boys said if everybody had an ocean, then everybody would be surfing “all over Manhattan!” That’s not far from the truth! 

Upon visiting, the Manhattan Beach Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium is a natural starting point for discovering our town. It’s at the heart of our charming downtown shopping and dining district. You can play beach volleyball, shop at an independent bookstore and have a Jonathan Gold ranked meal all within a block radius. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Tuesday, visit the Farmer’s Market from 12-4. And, as home to beach volleyball, each August we host the Manhattan Beach Open, the oldest, most prestigious professional volleyball tournament next to the south side of the Pier.

Our residents cherish our hometown traditions. We held the first ever Pinewood Derby in 1953. Every fall is our Old Hometown Fair, October has the World Famous Pumpkin Race (really!) and the highlight of December is the Holiday Fireworks show on the second Sunday in December.

Boasting seven public parks, including a botanical garden, the city provides a multitude of sports activities for its residents, including surfing and beach volleyball. Polliwog Park features a play structure accessible to all, a man-made lake, the setting for Sunday afternoon concerts during the summer months and the site of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.  

Manhattan Beach is also known for its award-winning school district. With the support of the community, the school district has attained national recognition and over 93% of graduates enter institutions of higher learning after high school. Every year, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation raises money to improve Manhattan Beach public schools and annually hosts the largest charity wine auction in Southern California, the Manhattan Wine Auction.

We aren’t just about outdoor activities. In 2015, we opened a brand new branch of the Los Angeles County library, a two-story building in downtown Manhattan with ocean views.

As you can see, we value the healthy beach lifestyle. That’s why we are committed to preserving our environment. We were one of the first cities to ban plastic bags and have been a smoke-free town since 2014. As of February 2020, in order to reduce nicotine addiction and protect public health, we’ve also prohibited the sale of all tobacco products (including vape products) in the City. 

We value inclusion for all, education, and community involvement. Come visit us in Manhattan Beach. We guarantee you will fall in love.