Walking Los Angeles. Erin Mahoney Harris

      Conqueror of the sand dune!

      BOUNDARIES: Rosecrans Ave., Blanche Rd., Manhattan Beach Blvd., Pacific Ocean

      DISTANCE: About 2.5 miles

      DIFFICULTY: Easy

      PARKING: Free street parking is available on Bell Avenue.

      One of the South Bay’s wealthiest cities, Manhattan Beach in many ways presents more of an Orange County vibe than an LA one. Popular with families for its strong school district and with everyone for its stunning seaside location and all-around pleasantness, this beach town is more laid-back than Santa Monica but decidedly more upscale than Venice.

      Walk Description

      Begin at Sand Dune Park. This neighborhood gem features a small playground in addition to the eponymous 100-foot sand hill that many locals climb for an effective if punishing workout. If you’re not in the mood for trudging up a giant wall of sand—which, because of its popularity, requires an online reservation to climb for adults (kids are welcome to climb without one)—the park’s shaded stairways and sidewalks offer a pleasant meandering path on which to explore your surroundings.

      Walk southeast on Bell Avenue, away from the park, passing a schoolyard on the right.

      Turn right on 24th Street and head uphill. This residential area, known as the Gas Lamp Section, features adorable houses squeezed together on fairly small lots, much like many SoCal seaside communities. You’ll pass the front of Grand View Elementary School before reaching the top of the hill, which affords an expansive view of the ocean a few blocks ahead.

      Turn right on Highland Avenue and walk one block to 25th Street.

      Cross Highland at the sidewalk and then follow the 25th Street walkway all the way down to the Strand, as the beachside pedestrian/bicycle path is called through­out the South Bay beach cities. At this point, the pedestrian walkway is completely separate from the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which is a few steps down below next to the sand, making for a pleasant stroll unimpeded by two-wheelers.

      Turn left to follow the Strand a little under 0.75 mile to the Manhattan Beach Pier, which you’ll see prettily framed up ahead with the Palos Verdes Peninsula as a backdrop. You’ll pass impressive beachfront homes on your left, and the median on your right features lovely water-wise landscaping, with ice plant, California poppies, and agave. You’ll see plenty of volleyball nets set up down on the sand—the city hosts the popular Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament every summer.

      When you reach the pier, you may choose to walk its length of about 900 feet to reach the distinctive Roundhouse at the far end, which houses a small aquarium, typically open in the afternoons on weekdays and all day on weekends. Admission to the Roundhouse Aquarium is free, although donations are welcomed.

      After visiting the pier, head east on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, climbing uphill past the touristy shops and restaurants.

      Turn left on Highland Avenue, passing pricey boutiques as well as enduringly popular restaurants such as The Kettle, The Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya, and Uncle Bill’s Pancake House.

      Turn right when you reach Uncle Bill’s onto 13th Street. You’ll pass the police department on your left and Shade, a boutique hotel, on your right. You may choose to explore the plaza around Shade, which features a mosaic fountain, a neat wind sculpture, and, if you venture in a little farther, several more restaurants.

      Turn left on Valley Drive.

      Cross 15th Street and then cross Valley Drive to reach the grassy meridian. This wide center island features a tree-shaded walkway known as Veterans Parkway.

      Turn left to follow the wood-chip walking path down the center of the meridian, passing the sports fields and playgrounds of Live Oak Park on your left. Keep an eye out for a sculpture titled A Wave for the Future, which houses a time capsule placed by the Manhattan Beach Leadership Class of 2000. The scent of the eucalyptus and conifers planted along the parkway gives it a pleasant woodsy feel even though you’re less than 0.25 mile from the beach.

      When you reach Blanche Road, follow the stairway on your left down to the street, and then cross the street to head north on Blanche.

      Cross 25th Street and continue straight ahead on Bell Avenue. Follow Bell back to your starting point near Sand Dune Park.