There is More to this Manhattan Beach Icon than Meets the Eye

The Manhattan Beach Pier - the icon of this sunny beach town located in the South Bay of Los Angeles County.  Its image graces the front of postcards.  It is the subject of artists' paintings  It is the most heavily photographed landmark in Manhattan Beach.  You even find a picture of the Manhattan Beach Pier on the header and home page of the city's website.  The pier is most definitely a treasured site in Manhattan Beach.

But did you know that the Manhattan Beach Pier is more than just a "pretty face"?  There is a lot more to this recognizable landmark than you may think.  In fact, a visit to the Manhattan Beach Pier can result in a multitude of sights and activities.

As you walk onto the pier, you'll notice almost immediately brass plates embedded into the concrete surface.  The sandy areas around the Manhattan Beach Pier are home to more than a dozen beach volleyball nets, and probably the most famous beach volleyball location in the competitive circle.  The brass plates that are on the pier document the winners of past volleyball tournaments at those same volleyball nets.  Famous names in beach volleyball - like Karch Kiraly and Sinjin Smith - grace this walkway.

Walking further, if the surf is good you will see surfers on the South side of the pier and boogie boarders on the North side.  Watching these surfers catch (or miss) the waves consumes countless minutes for the many pedestrians.

Down at the very end of the pier you will often find numerous fishermen with their bait cast into the water.  The fishing is not stellar here, but it is not uncommon to see families bonding as they pull in a ray (which they quickly return to its watery home) or some other fish.

Also at the end of the pier is the Roundhouse - called that because it's, well, round.  In the Roundhouse you find the Roundhouse Aquarium, a small educational aquarium funded through donations of patrons and local businesses.  Children and adults are fascinated by the collection of starfish, rays, sharks, eels, and other brightly colored fish and sea life.  There is even a petting tank where you can touch starfish and sea cucumbers.

Also in the Roundhouse is a small snack stop where visitors can buy beverages, ice cream treats, and sandwiches.  On a hot day, it's great to grab an ice cream to snack on while you make your way back to the beginning of the pier.  The perfect ending to a visit at the infamous Manhattan Beach Pier.

 2008 Copyright Tiffany D. Wilson.  All rights reserved.