"City by the Sea: Manhattan Beach " a Manhattan Beach Travel Page by kimberlyfisher1

EAT.
Start off with a quick bite from the unique North End Café. Located in a festive, green structure on Highland Avenue, this casual local eatery specializes in high quality, boutique breakfasts and lunches. For breakfast, the Eggs from Hell are popular, as is the Alicia for lunch. Coffees’ are another forte, ranging from espressos to lattes made to order.

Dinner is elegance meets beachy modern in the Zagat rated Petros Greek Cuisine and Lounge. The classic Mediterranean menu features mouth watering feta crusted lamb, moussaka, and the petros horiatiki salad in a warm, sophisticated environment. Make sure to save room for the decadent deserts, the baklava and baby Greek doughnuts literally melt in your mouth.

DO.
The Manhattan Beach Pier was built in 1922, and extends 928 feet long. At the end, enjoy the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium and explore the Shark Tank, Touch Tank, and several species of fish and baby sharks. Fishing off the pier is year round, as is biking and roller blading on the famous “Strand”. If you happen to stop in around August, the famed Manhattan Beach Open is “The Wimbledon of beach volleyball”, or seize the Mardi Gras like moments of the International Surf Festival’s 6 Man Tournament, where teams dress up in costume as they battle it out on the courts.

Shopping has a little bit for everyone, from classic to distinctive. For the name brand shoppers, downtown Manhattan Beach sports the flagship True Religion Jeans Store, as well as a Sketchers, Island Sport, and Michael Stars. For the perfect souvenirs, step into Riley Arts or Cacao Couture Chocolates.

In the mood for something different? Try out an afternoon of painting your own pottery at Color Me Mine or Impromptu cooking classes at Chefmakers Cooking Academy…don’t worry, it’s all about the experience as an iron chef and not the end result. Experience the on going festivals, free concerts, and breezy picnics at local Polliwog Park. The 18 acre park features a amphitheater, large pond, wildlife refuge, gazebos, The Rose Garden, play areas, little league fields, bar-b-q’s, a 9 hole disc golf course, and the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden. With something for everyone to do, the park is a great way to spend the rest of the day.

DRINK.
Grab a glass of wine or an imported beer from the recently opened Corkscrew Café. This tri-story comfy café features wines by the glass as well as an amazing tapas menu. Gaze out at the Pacific Ocean as one of the Philly twins that own the joint are sure to make you feel right at home.

SLEEP.
Lay your head down to rest on luxurious linens, flip on your flat screen television, and fix your eyes at the stars through your open balcony at the Shade Hotel. The ultra-boutique hotel perfectly balances exceptional design, unparallel service, and a relaxing environment.

Happy Travels!

• North End Café, 3421 Highland Ave. MB, CA 310.546.4782
• Petros, 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. #B110 310.545.4100
• True Religion Jeans 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. #D118 310.406.3882
• Sketchers 1121 Manhattan Ave. 310.318.3116
• Island Sport 221 Manhattan Beach Blvd. 310.546.7173
• Michael Stars 1114 Manhattan Ave. 310.376.8700
• Riley Arts 1007 Manhattan Ave. 310.372.3681
• Cacao Couture Chocolates 1012 Manhattan Ave. 310.374.4500
• Color Me Mine 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. #C130 310. 545.6512
• Chefmakers Cooking Academy 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. 310.545.9111
• Polliwog Park Corner of Redondo and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
• Corkscrew Café 2201 Highland Ave. 310.546.7160
• Shade Hotel, 1221 N. Valley Drive 866.SHADE77

About the Contributor: Kimberly Fisher is a model and actress based in Los Angeles, CA and Las Vegas, NV. She graduated from Mt. St. Mary’s College and is a part time freelance writer. She is a contributing writer for Trajan Magazine. Originally from Alaska, she has lived on the West coast for the past 8 years.