If you wish Manhattan Beach was just a little less crowded, Hermosa and Torrance beaches (about 10-15 minutes south by car) are just that--and a bit less touristy. Plus, from Torrance, it is only a 10 minute walk to RaT beach (Redondo at Torrance--nothing to do with vermin), which has a path up the cliffs into Palos Verdes Estates, which has some of the best views on the West Coast: everything from Catalina Island, to the Los Angeles Basin, and the Los Angeles Mountains in a single panoramic view. And on really clear days, you can even see the Hollywood sign in the Hollywood Hills with the naked eye. Definitely a Do-Not-Miss adventure, and a quick one as well!