• Manhattan Beach Post (New American, $$/$$$): Samantha's pick for Saturday brunch before the big day, also a great option for Friday pre-welcome party (2 minute walk to Strand House). The biscuits are a must order! Reservations highly recommended (avail 90 days out): https://eatmbpost.com/ • JOEY Manhattan Beach (Mixed cuisines, $$/$$$): Convenient happy hour (3-6 daily)/dinner for those staying at the westdrift (0.6 mile walk). Reservations recommended (avail 6 months out): https://joeyrestaurants.com/location/joey-manhattan-beach • RYLA (Coastal/Japanese, $$/$$$): A great dinner option in Hermosa Beach, one town south, for those looking to explore a bit outside of Manhattan. Reservations recommended (avail 90 days out): https://eatryla.com/ • Strand House (New American, $$$): Our welcome event will take place in the lower level bar, so an easy option for Friday before heading down to the party! Reservations highly recommended (avail 90 days out): https://www.thestrandhousemb.com/
• Paradise Bowls (acai bowls/smoothies): TJ's favorite - always on his "must go" list when in Manhattan Beach! Pick up, walk a block west on 10th St., and sit on a bench on The Strand for an oceanfront breakfast/snack. • Baran's 2239: The most popular breakfast burrito in the South Bay. MUST order in advance! Ordering "goes live" every Wednesday for the weekend ahead (5/28 will be your date) - message barans2239 on instagram with your order, date, and preferred pick-up time. They post the special on Wednesday, but all of the classics are delicious too! • goodboybob coffee roasters and two guns espresso (coffee/breakfast): Samantha's parents favorite coffee spots! gets busy on weekends, order ahead if you need a quick pick-up. • Mendocino Farms (sandwiches/salads): easy casual option for guests staying at westdrift (0.6 mile walk). Located in The Point which has a few shops/restaurants! • Destroyer (breakfast/lunch): fresh cafe with outdoor seating in Culver City (~10 miles north).
• El Segundo Brewing Company: One of Samantha's Dad's favorites, located just one town north. Mayberry or Citra Pale are local favorites. They usually have a food truck outside! • Culture Brewing Co: Perfect if you're staying downtown Manhattan Beach or just want to see the area. They do not have food onsite, but you are welcome to bring in from any of the neighboring restaurants. • Simmzy's: Also conveniently located downtown Manhattan Beach. They have a full menu, so this could be a Friday pre-welcome party dinner option (2 minute walk to Strand House). Make a reservation! https://reservations.getwisely.com/simmyz-manhattan • Grain Whiskey Bar: Located inside Playa Provisions (also has a restaurant, Dockside), ~15 minutes north of Manhattan Beach. The restaurant takes reservations: https://www.playaprovisions.com/ • Shellback Tavern/Ercole's: Local dive bars - don't party too hard Friday night!!
A few of our favorites walks and hikes if you're looking for something active! Ordered by proximity to Manhattan Beach, some are right nearby and others are ~an hour away depending on how much of a day you're looking to fill. • The Strand Manhattan Beach Pier to Hermosa Beach Pier (1.7 miles, easy) • Terranea Discovery Trail (1.9 miles, easy)/Pointe Vicente Beach Walk (5.7 miles, moderate) - stop at Nelson's after for a cocktail/bite to eat: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/terranea-discovery-trail / https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/point-vicente-park • Runyon Canyon Trail (2.7 miles, moderate): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/runyon-canyon-trail • Solstice Canyon Loop (3.0 miles, moderate) - stop at Malibu Farm for lunch (OFF/ON CLOSURES DUE TO FIRES, DOUBLE CHECK STATUS BEFORE GOING!): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/solstice-canyon-loop-trail
Southern California has a number of great shopping options, some of our favorites below depending on what you are looking for and how far you're interested in traveling (distances noted from Manhattan Beach) • Melrose Ave & Place | $$-$$$$, ~15 miles/45 minutes (one of Samantha and her mom's favorites, small brands/designer + great people watching. go to Alfred for coffee, Urth Caffe or Great White for a casual bite to eat, or Bottega Louie (~a mile away) for something nicer with incredible pastries - reservations recommended here!) • Palisades Village (TEMP. CLOSED FROM FIRES) | $$$-$$$$, ~20 miles/45 minutes (boutique/designer) • Brentwood Country Mart | $$-$$$, ~16 miles/40 minutes (boutique/designer, go to farmshop for lunch!) • Abbot Kinney | $$-$$$, ~10 miles/20 minutes (boutiques, go to Erewhon for the full LA experience or Butcher's Daughter for the best vegetarian!) • The Grove | $$-$$$, ~15 miles/40 minutes (shopping mall with trendy retailers)
• The Getty Center: A museum with something for everyone: art, modern design, unique gardens, and spectacular city views. Admission is free, but you need to reserve your visit timeslot: https://www.getty.edu/visit/center. Parking is paid, $25/ vehicle. They also have a sister museum, Getty Villa, in the Pacific Palisades (if you visit both in the same day, you only need to pay for parking one - see site for details). • Griffith Observatory: Free admission! Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Some parking is free, other is paid (see the "getting here" road and parking map section on their website).
• Rent bikes: Beachside (https://www.beachsidemb.com/) has both cruisers and e-bikes available for rent. They have several suggestions for different bike path options online as well. • Farmers Markets: Marina Del Rey (Saturday, 9am-2pm) 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey | Brentwood (Saturday, 8am-noon) 655 First St., Brentwood, Hermosa Beach (Friday, noon-4pm) 1035 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach. • Melrose Trading Post: Sunday open-air market (10am-5pm) featuring a range of vendors selling antiques, vintage goods & collectibles. Tickets required ($8/ per person): https://melrosetradingpost.org/tickets/. • Top Golf: Open-air driving range and sports bar located ~5 minutes from westdrift. You can reserve a bay online (14 days in advance) for 6 players/2 hours: https://topgolf.com/us/el-segundo/ • Swedish Candy: Niche, but if you know, you know! Go to Sockerbit (7922 W 3rd. St. Los Angeles, CA 90048) or Huset (1316 ½ Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291).