3 Picturesque Picnic Spots in Manhattan Beach

Whether you're looking for a quiet escape with your partner or a fun family day out, a picnic could be just the ticket! Take in the day and find a nice place to rest, spend some time with those you love, and eat some good packed food while you’re at it. Once you've got your basket packed, consider these three prime spots to lay your checkered blanket in Manhattan Beach: Polliwog Park, the Manhattan Beach Pier, and Bruce’s Beach.

Polliwog Park
Polliwog Park offers many fun activities and diverse areas to lay your blanket down.  Find a place by the pond and feed some of the roaming ducks, or find a spot in the ampitheater or playground area.  Stretch out on the grass and be able to breathe in this safe environment.  Outdoor BBQ grills are also available if you’re feeling more fancy.  During the summer, people opt for a picnic dinner as they watch a performance by Shakespeare by the Sea or enjoy one of the Concerts in the Park.

Features of Polliwog Park:
- three gazebos
- ampitheater
- picnic area with BBQ’s
- pool
- playground (includes one for older and three for smaller children)
- botanical garden
- 9-hole disc golf course
- dog run
- curbside parking is available along Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard

Location:
Corner of Redondo Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Manhattan Beach & Pier
The actual beach of Manhattan Beach offers an expansive view of the ocean, and a lot of space to find a place to picnic.  If you’re not feeling like making food yourself, you can grab some to-go from one of the many restaurants located along Manhattan Beach Boulevard (the street going down to the pier) or on any of the off-shoot streets.  The beach offers an ocean to cool down in on a hot day, a terrific sunset view for a romantic dinner, or a place to play volleyball and other games on the sand with your family and friends.  You can also bike and enjoy a ride on the strand or, if driving, you can find one of the spots at the many parking meters nearby.

Location:
400-500 The Strand
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 399-8471

Bruce’s Beach
Bruce’s “Beach” is technically a park that is situated on the sloping grassy hillside leading down to Manhattan’s beach area.  The oldest park site in Manhattan Beach, it includes park benches, a small basketball half-court, and a lot of trees and shady areas to enjoy the view that you’ll be facing.  It’s one of the prime spots to watch a South Bay sunset.

Location:
Highland and 27th Street
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266