Manhattan Beach is a 3.9-square-mile beach city on the southwestern shore of Santa Monica Bay, between El Segundo and Hermosa Beach. It was incorporated in 1912 and covers ZIP code 90266. The population is roughly 35,000.
The city's identity is built around its 2.1-mile beach, the Manhattan Beach Pier, the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the pier, and The Strand pedestrian-bike path running its full length. El Porto in north Manhattan Beach is a long-time surfing spot. The downtown area along Manhattan Beach Boulevard between Highland and Sepulveda is the city's restaurant and retail core.
Inland neighborhoods include the Hill Section, the Tree Section, the Sand Section, and the East Manhattan area along Aviation Boulevard. Manhattan Beach Unified School District is one of the highest-rated in California, and Mira Costa High School is widely known for academics and athletics. The city also hosts the AVP Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament each summer, one of the longest-running events in the sport.