Located in Southwestern Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach is great for athletic types who love to move when they’re out in the sun. So run, don’t walk, to book a stay for the best rates!

Other affordable beach destinations to explore on the West Coast:

• Zuma Beach
• Rialto Beach
• La Jolla Cove
• Redondo Beach

Looking for a slower-paced stay along the coast? Here’s our budget travel guide to the best West Coast beaches.

What to do at Manhattan Beach, California

With some of the gnarliest waves along the coast, you’ll see a lot of surfers catching the waves. If you love to surf, test the waters yourself, or just admire those practicing this sport. The Manhattan Beach Pier is more simplistic than the piers you’ll find in Santa Monica or Redondo, but it still offers great fishing opportunities.

The Strand is a walking and bike path along the beach, which makes it much easier to run and take in the views compared to running in the sand. Manhattan Beach is believed to be where beach volleyball originated, so don’t hesitate to play a game or two. This is an incredibly active community, so you can also join yoga classes or other fitness classes right on the beach.

During non-COVID-19 times, you can also explore the free Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Walk, jog, run, or bike along The Strand. Photo: Peter Woodman

Affordable restaurants in Manhattan Beach, California

Move over, IHOP. Uncle Bill’s Pancake House is the place to go for breakfast by the beach, and it is one of the more affordable options in this affluent area. Customize your own Cream’wich at the ever-popular Manhattan Beach Creamery, and finish your day with farm-to-table, artisanal dishes at Manhattan Beach Post, and sip cocktails with a view or enjoy a dinner for four for just $50 at zinc@shade.

The swanky Hotel Hermosa is near both Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches. Photo: Booking.com

Budget hotels in Manhattan Beach, California

There are multiple options for Cheapos to sleep easy in Manhattan Beach and the surrounding area. Here are a few of our top choices with rates under $150.

Seahorse Inn

Double rooms starting at $95

The sleepy Seahorse Inn is a quiet, modest spot that includes an on-site restaurant and a location just a mile from the Manhattan Beach pier. Simple rooms feature light wood furnishings and floral bedspreads; amenities are more contemporary and include flat-screen TVs, fridges, free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms.

The Belamar

Double rooms starting at $133

The Belamar boasts modern, minimalist rooms outfitted with stylish décor and handy amenities like free Wi-Fi, coffee machines and fridges. The hotel also includes a restaurant that dishes up organic fare. It’s not the closest to the beach, you’ll need to drive or catch a bus, but the lower rates and proximity to not just Manhattan but multiple beaches make it worthwhile.

The spacious and sunny outdoor patio at Hotel Hermosa. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel Hermosa

Double rooms starting at $139

Near Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches, Hotel Hermosa offers stylish hotel rooms plus an on-site yoga facility, a heated pool and a fire pit. Check when booking to choose a room with city, courtyard or beach views, depending on your preference.

The post Budget travel guide to Manhattan Beach, California appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you love the beach as much as I do, you might wonder which beaches along the “best coast” are worth your while.

Truthfully, you’ll find a little bit of happiness no matter what beach you visit, but we’re sharing a few favorites.

Related: Search for cheap hotels in Los Angeles

A guide to the best beaches on the West Coast

As the pandemic drags on, escaping to nature is really one of the safest and most exhilarating ways to break up the monotony of each day. So before you hop in the car and travel to the West Coast, here are the best West Coast beaches to consider adding to your itinerary.

Note: Please be aware of all local and national guidelines for traveling before making the trip. Stay safe!

Zuma Beach

When people think of West Coast beaches, Malibu likely comes to mind with its iconic pier and celebrity homes. As such, the area can get crowded and pricey. Luckily, more secluded spots like Zuma Beach offer the same excellent views and soothing ocean breezes but with a cheaper price tag for things like parking and dining.

Check out our Zuma Beach article for what to see, do and eat plus a few spots on where to stay in the area.

Redondo Beach is south of Santa Monica and not far from LAX. Photo: Paige Bennett

Redondo Beach

While its pier is not quite as festive as nearby Santa Monica’s pier, Redondo Beach is a gem with a spotless shoreline, mountain views, a nearby park and fresh, foot-long churros for cheap. What’s not to love? Read our budget guide for tips on traveling to Redondo Beach.

Exploring the cove is completely free. Photo: Paige Bennett

La Jolla Cove

Located in San Diego, California, La Jolla Cove offers free street parking, perfect year-round temperatures, and free sights of seals and sea lions basking in the sun. Sound intriguing? Plan your trip with our La Jolla budget travel guide.

Walk, jog, run, or bike along The Strand. Photo: Peter Woodman

Manhattan Beach

Gnarly waves, a peaceful pier, and beach volleyball are the name of the game at Manhattan Beach in southern California. Do as the locals do with our budget travel guide to Manhattan Beach, an athlete’s paradise.

You’ll need to pay the Olympic National Park access fee to reach Rialto Beach. Photo: Olympic National Park

Rialto Beach

Let’s head up the coast to scenic Washington, where you’ll find the misty, picturesque Rialto Beach. Find out how to access this beach, what to see, where to eat, and of course, where to rest your head after long days of exploring with our Rialto Beach travel guide.

The post Budget tips for the best West Coast beaches appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.