Manhattan Beachis located just 30 minutes northwest ofParamountand is home to several great Pacific attractions including the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium. This large aquarium can be found on the Manhattan Beach Pier. Here, you can get an up-close look at native marine life and see lots of different exhibits as well as experience hands-on exhibits all of which help explain the importance of the ecology of the Pacific Ocean. While it is free to get in, there is a suggested donation between $2 and $5. Also important to note is that the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium is only open weekdays from 3pm until sunset and on weekends from 10am until sunset.
Another great sea-side town to explore isManhattan Beach, located just a little further south ofManhattan Beach. There are lots of fun attractions and activities that can be enjoyed here including the well-known Redondo Beach Pier. Here you will find countless shops, restaurants and bars. While here you can also visit theRedondoStateBeach, an easily accessible and clean beach. There are also several boat charter companies that offer whale watching tours out in thePacific Ocean.
Even further south along thePacificCoast, you'll come to Ranchos Palos Verdes. One of the best attractions here is theAbaloneCoveShorelineParkand Ecological Reserve, which provides lots of walking and hiking trails, all of which meander along the shoreline. Here, you will be able to see lots of tidepools, which are often teeming with sealife like starfish or sea urchins. Some of the trails also take a slow, gradual climb up to the bluffs that have some excellent views. This is one of the best places to get up close to the marine life and ecology of thePacific Ocean. The charge for parking is $5 but there is no fee to enter the park itself.
Even further along the Pacific Shoreline, and just south ofParamount, you will find the town ofSan Pedro. Here you can check out the Angles Gate Lighthouse (a.k.a.Los AngelesHarbor), the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Royal Palms State Park and the Point Fermin Lighthouse. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium can be fun and educational for both children and adults where you will learn about the ecology of thePacific Oceanand its marine life. There are boat charters for whale watching available here as well. Two unique things about this aquarium is that it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and has one of the largest collections of sea life that is native to thePacific Ocean.
Another great town on thePacificCoast,Seal Beach, is located just south ofLong Beach. InSeal Beachyou can explore their eclecticMain Streetdistrict which features nearly 50 different and unique shops, four antique stores, over 20 different restaurants and six art galleries. Of course, while visitingSeal Beachyou will want to see the actual beach. While the main public beach is just calledSeal Beach, you will want to move a little further south to the Seal Beach Jetty. The Seal Beach Jetty is one of the most popular spots for surfers, and many of these surfers come from all over the world to surf here.
While these towns have a lot to offer, there are several other stops you can make along the Pacific shoreline fromSunsetBeachat the south end toManhattan Beachat the north end. Each town has their own variety of shops that rent kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles, mopeds, surfboards, wave runners and boats as well. There are also lots of surf shops that offer a variety of surf, kayak or paddle board lessons for participants of all skill levels. All of the major public beaches offer showers, snack bars, parking lots and lifeguard services.
