Just 5K from
LAX!
Long layover? Time before your departure? Need a first stop after landing at LAX?
Manhattan Beach is a stone’s throw away, so spend a little time in one of the best town’s in the world!
Escape the Airport
Spend your layover, the hours before your flight, or your final night in Los Angeles beside the ocean in Manhattan Beach.
A better way to wait
Trade the terminal for the beach.
Whether you are arriving early for an international flight, have a long layover, or want to avoid another night in an airport hotel, Manhattan Beach offers a completely different Los Angeles experience just minutes from LAX.
Instead of spending hours in a terminal or overlooking a parking lot, stroll along one of Southern California's most inviting beaches, enjoy a meal near the Pacific, browse local boutiques, or simply relax with your feet in the sand before your next flight.
Got Luggage?
Want to come for a short visit, but have luggage? Make your first stop Shade Hotel. They'll happily store your luggage during your visit. It's a great place to grab a drink or a bite, too. Or spend the night!
Why Manhattan Beach?
Near LAX without feeling like an airport stopover.
Easy Airport Access
Manhattan Beach is approximately five miles south of LAX and is often about a 15-minute drive in typical traffic.
A Real California Experience
Walk the pier, see the Pacific, watch surfers, enjoy the Strand, and experience a coastal community rather than an airport district.
Everything Is Close Together
Downtown restaurants, shops, the beach, and the pier are all within a compact, walkable area that works well for a quick visit.
Choose your itinerary
How much time do you have?
A Quick Coastal Reset
Take a rideshare to downtown Manhattan Beach, walk to the pier, enjoy coffee or a meal, stretch your legs along the Strand, and return to LAX feeling refreshed instead of restless.
A Half-Day by the Ocean
Add time for shopping, a longer beach walk, a bike ride, the Roundhouse Aquarium, or a relaxed lunch or dinner before heading back to the airport.
Your Final Night in Los Angeles
Stay near the ocean, enjoy dinner downtown, wake up by the beach, and take a short ride to LAX the next morning.
An alternative to airport hotels
Stay close to LAX, but wake up at the beach.
Airport hotels are practical, but your last evening or first morning in Los Angeles does not have to be spent beside a freeway or parking garage.
Manhattan Beach gives you convenient access to LAX while placing you near the ocean, local restaurants, walkable streets, and the relaxed atmosphere of a Southern California beach town.
- Coastal, boutique, and full-service hotel options
- Restaurants and cafés within a walkable downtown
- Morning beach walks before an afternoon flight
- Sunset dinners after arriving in Los Angeles
- A more memorable beginning or end to your trip
Getting here
A short trip from the airport.
Rideshare services and taxis are generally the simplest options for a short visit. Travelers with rental cars can also reach Manhattan Beach quickly, although parking and return time should be included in the itinerary.
For departing flights, leave additional time during weekday morning and afternoon traffic, peak travel periods, holidays, and major events.
Getting around town
Ride the MB Wave Rider.
Once you are in Manhattan Beach, the MB Wave Rider is an easy local transportation option for moving around town without needing to re-park or call another rideshare for every short hop.
Use it to connect beach time, downtown dining, shopping, hotels, and quick-visit stops while keeping your LAX timing simple.
Quick-visit ideas
Make a few hours feel like a vacation.
Walk the Pier
Head to the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier for panoramic coastline views and a classic Southern California photo.
Eat Near the Ocean
Choose a quick coffee, casual lunch, seafood dinner, or sunset meal within walking distance of the beach.
Explore the Strand
Walk or bike beside the beach, watch surfers, and enjoy the ocean air before returning to the airport.
Browse Downtown
Explore independent boutiques, local retailers, cafés, and services in the compact downtown district.
Visit the Aquarium
Stop at the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the pier when its operating hours fit your visit.
Watch the Sunset
End your Southern California trip with a Pacific sunset instead of an evening inside an airport hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Planning a layover or pre-flight visit.
Is Manhattan Beach close to LAX?
Yes. Manhattan Beach is approximately five miles south of LAX. The drive is often around 15 minutes in typical traffic, but airport congestion and peak-hour traffic can make it longer.
Can I visit Manhattan Beach during a layover?
A visit may be practical during a sufficiently long layover, but the amount of usable time depends on immigration, customs, luggage, terminal transfers, security, traffic, and airline check-in requirements.
Is Manhattan Beach a good alternative to an airport hotel?
It can be an excellent alternative for travelers who want to remain close to LAX while enjoying beaches, restaurants, shops, and a more relaxed coastal setting.
How should I travel between LAX and Manhattan Beach?
Rideshare services and taxis are generally the most convenient choices for a short visit. Rental cars and private transportation may also be appropriate depending on the rest of your itinerary.
What can I do if I only have a few hours?
Focus on downtown Manhattan Beach, the pier, the beach, and the Strand. These attractions are close together and work well for a compact itinerary.
Make Manhattan Beach part of your journey.
Browse places to stay, find a restaurant, and discover things to do during your visit.