Archeological work in the nearby Chowigna excavation show evidence of inhabitants as far back as 7,100 years ago.

In 1784, the Spanish Crown deeded Rancho San Pedro, a tract of over 75,000 acres (300 km2), to soldier Juan José Domínguez.

Ten years later in 1873, Burnett leased the ranch to a Canadian, Daniel Freeman (not the American of the same name, who was the first to file a claim under the Homestead Act of 1862).

In 1924, the city used eminent domain to seize the land from the Black property owners under the pretense of building a park.

[15] In 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation authorizing the transferring of the property to descendants of the family.

[21] HBO dramatized this case in the Emmy-winning Indictment: The McMartin Trial,[22] which was partially filmed in Manhattan Beach.

[23][24] Manhattan Beach benefits from ocean breezes that provide clean air and summer temperatures that are 10 to 20 °F (5.6 to 11.1 °C) cooler than the inland regions of Southern California.

A majority of the land in Manhattan Beach was once exposed sand dunes, which now lie beneath the city's buildings and streets.

[26] Every August, the city hosts the Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament and the International Surf Festival.

"The Strand" section of Manhattan Beach includes some of the most expensive real estate per square foot in the United States.

There are Zagat-rated casual fine-dining restaurants, specialty boutiques and retailers that create a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use downtown center.

The Metlox site, where the pottery factory once stood for decades, was closed in the early 1990s and redeveloped into a mixed-use center.

The Metlox site includes a luxury boutique hotel, spa, restaurants, shops and underground parking.

North Manhattan Beach business district is located near the intersection of Rosecrans and Highland and has restaurants and shops.

The Rosecrans corridor is adjacent to The Point[31] and Plaza El Segundo[32] off Sepulveda Blvd, which features additional retailers.

The area includes the Manhattan Village Mall, which is located east of Sepulveda Boulevard between Marine and Rosecrans Avenues.

The Manhattan Village Mall is executing a multimillion-dollar redevelopment which adds both outdoor and enclosed retail and restaurant space.

[36] The studio complex has large photovoltaic solar panel rooftop installations in the area which generates approximately 1 megawatt of power.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Manhattan Beach had a median household income of $139,259, with 3.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

[55] Many high-profile individuals in the sports and entertainment industry live in Manhattan Beach due to its oceanfront desirability, top performing school district, and commuting distance to Los Angeles.

In 2013, the Dataquick study reported that more homes exceeding $1 million were sold in Manhattan Beach than any other city in California.

Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, La Jolla, Malibu, Bel-Air, Orinda, Atherton, Montecito, and other high end cities in California ranked behind Manhattan Beach.

[59] The current median residential home price is $2.2 million according to a November 23, 2014, Los Angeles Times article, and land values in Manhattan Beach rank among the highest per square foot in the nation.

An area known Veteran's Parkway is a pedestrian walkway that runs adjacent to Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue near downtown Manhattan Beach.

Nearly 20 acres (8.1 ha) and 3 miles (4.8 km) long and extending into Hermosa Beach, the wood-chip walkway is a popular trail for runners and dog-walkers.

Located on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, two blocks west of Aviation Boulevard, Polliwog Park includes the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden, as well as a small lake, open-air concert amphitheater, playground equipment, picnic tables, restrooms, and a fenced dog exercise area.

Popular among community residents, the fair features food and drink, live music, games and booths to raise funds for local causes.

Filled with mazes, tunnels, outdoor rock climbing walls, complex ropes courses, and an indoor gym, AdventurePlex challenges children physically and intellectually in health-focused recreational activities.

[75] Manhattan Beach is currently ranked as one of the best suburbs in Los Angeles Country for its high-earning and well educated residents.

[76] Manhattan Beach's top performing school district is currently ranked as the third best in the state of California, behind only Palo Alto and South Pasadena.