01
Best in-town stroll
Veterans Parkway Greenbelt
Manhattan Beach Greenbelt • Shaded Urban Trail • Local Favorite
A long, tree-lined footpath that runs quietly through the neighborhood just a block inland from the beach crowds.
Veterans Parkway, known locally as The Greenbelt, is a soft-surface path that winds for miles between Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach under eucalyptus and pine. It is ideal for a relaxed walk, dog-friendly outing, or easy jog when you want ocean air without the sand. Expect gentle grades, plenty of benches, and a steady stream of locals getting their daily steps in.
02
Classic workout climb
Sand Dune Park
East Manhattan Beach Hills • Steep Sand Dune Workout • Best For Training
A towering sand dune with a short but brutal climb that doubles as a local outdoor gym and quick escape into the scrub.
Sand Dune Park centers on a massive, cordoned-off dune that hikers and fitness buffs tackle for heart-pounding intervals. The surrounding staircase and short trails through coastal scrub let you cool down with views over the rooftops toward the ocean. Reservations and posted rules are strictly enforced, so check signage and plan your visit outside peak weekend hours if you prefer fewer crowds.
03
Best coastal walk
Manhattan Beach to Redondo via The Strand
South Bay Shoreline • Paved Oceanfront Path • Best Seaside Sunset Walk
A scenic, mostly flat beachfront route linking Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo piers with nonstop ocean views.
Follow the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, known locally as The Strand, south from Manhattan Beach Pier as far as you like toward Hermosa and Redondo. Walkers share the wide path with cyclists, but there is usually enough room to pause for surfers, dolphins, and classic South Bay people-watching. Time it for golden hour and you will get some of the best sunset colors in the area, with easy bail-out points at each pier.
04
Best nearby canyon network
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Palos Verdes Hillside • Chaparral Canyon Network • Best Half-Day Escape
A web of dirt trails weaving through rolling hills and canyons with sweeping views over the Pacific and Catalina Island.
Roughly a half-hour drive south, Portuguese Bend offers true trail hiking compared with the flatter walks in Manhattan Beach. You can link routes like Burma Road, Rattlesnake, and Ishibashi to create anything from an easy viewpoint stroll to a moderate loop with real elevation gain. Expect exposed sun, wildflowers in season, and long sightlines down the coast, so bring water, a hat, and shoes you do not mind getting dusty.
05
Best tidepool and bluff combo
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Rancho Palos Verdes Bluffs • Clifftop Coastal Reserve • Best Tidepool Adventure
Short but rewarding trails drop from high bluffs to rocky coves, tidepools, and wide-open views of the open ocean.
At Abalone Cove, you can start on clifftop trails with big vistas before descending to pocket beaches that feel far removed from city life. The paths are rocky and can be slippery near the water, so this is more of a light hike than a boardwalk stroll, especially at low tide when the tidepools are exposed. Parking is paid and the lot can fill on weekends, but the mix of bluff-top walking, coastal scrub, and shoreline exploring makes the trip from Manhattan Beach more than worthwhile.