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Sand Dune Park in Manhattan Beach

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Excercise and Fun at Sand Dune Park in Manhattan Beach

Who would have thought that in a town with a seemingly endless beautiful sand beach, one of the best places to go get some exercise would be on a hill….or more precisely a big sand dune. As there is some structure or another on just about every part of Manhattan Beach, most people are unaware that the hills we see and live on along the coast are really just big sand dunes. One great place to find this out is a small park just North of Rosecrans known as Sand Dune Park. The park is certainly aptly named as the main feature of the park is a big 100 foot high sand dune. As if running through sand isn’t difficult enough….try it on a big slope! The dune isn’t all that long but it sure feels that way about half way up the slop. It’s a fantastic way to get some quick exercise while enjoying the weather outdoors. It’s better than any stairmaster and certainly much better for the knees.

In addition to being a great workout for you, it’s a great place to bring the kids. There is a great little playground for the kids with swings and slides, and the city has designated the left side of the hill to be an area for kids to run and play.

Parking can sometimes be a challenge after work hours and during the weekend….and watch out for the streetsweeping signs. The park is located at 33rd and Bell in the Manhattan Tree Section and the park hours are 8:00AM – 7:00PM during daylight savings, and open till 8:00PM the rest of the year. The streets leading to the park and the park itself are nestled in a quiet neighborhood, so please be courteous.

Sand Dune Reservation System (from the city of Manhattan Beach website)

The implementation of the reservation system is expected to help keep the use of the Sand Dune at a sustainable level for the neighborhood and reduce maintenance costs. The next time you visit the Sand Dune, you may also notice some fencing along the north edge that is in place to protect a vegetative colony of a native, but very rare, flower called the Orcutt’s Yellow Pincushion. The Manhattan Beach Sand Dune Park is a treasure for many people and purposes and we hope that you will use and enjoy it respectfully! Sand Dune reservations cannot be made over the phone or in person, they must be made online, including payment.

Sand Dune Fees:
Manhattan Beach Residents: $1.05
Non-Manhattan Beach Residents: $3.16

SEASON SAND DUNE RESERVATION TIME SLOTS
Winter
(November 7th through January 31st)		 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM*
*3:00 PM time slot is 1.5 hours long to accommodate daylight saving time.
Spring
(February 1st through March 12th)		 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM,
4:30 PM
Late Spring/Summer
(March 13th through September 30th)		 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM,
4:30 PM, 6:00 PM
Fall
(October 1st through November 6th)		 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM,
4:30 PM

 

  • Reservation Rules
    • Making a reservation will ensure a full hour of dune usage if patron arrives on time.
    • Patron must be present within the first 10 minutes of the reservation time with their picture ID.
    • If patron has not arrived within 10 minutes of the reservation, the reservation slot will be released to older adults (age 55+), Sand Dune Membership holders, active public safety officials, or military personnel (both active and retired).
    • Personal training of any kind is strictly prohibited. M.B.M.C 12.48.054
  • Patrons 13 and over
    • All patrons age 13 and over must have a reservation to use the dune. M.B.M.C.12.48.100.
    • Reservation times are for one hour only, per day, per patron.
  • Children 12 and under
    • The dune and dune family play area are open seven (7) days a week from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM for all children 12 and under only; no reservation required.
    • All children five (5) and under require full-time adult supervision in the family play area. M.B.M.C.12.48.054
    • The use of any substance or device other than standard cardboard for sliding down the dune by children only is prohibited. M.B.M.C.12.48.053.
    • No more than 20 children allowed on the dune at a time. M.B.M.C. 12.48.054
  • Walk-Up Hours
    • Older Adults (55+), Active Public Safety officials, or Military Personnel (both active and retired) may use the dune on a walk up basis, no reservation needed.
    • In order to ensure online reservations are honored, walk-up participants will be allowed on the dune 10 minutes after each reservation time slots if it has not reached its capacity of 20 people.
    • A picture ID with date of birth must be presented and will be checked to verify age/employment status (if military or public safety).
    • Walk up hours entitle participants to 50 minutes of dune usage
  • Sand Dune Membership
    Beginning January 2015, monthly memberships for use of the Sand Dune will be available year-round for purchase. Monthly memberships can be purchased one month at a time, or all at once for the year. Previous rules regarding usage of the Sand Dune still apply:
    • A monthly Sand Dune membership will be sold for those interested in using the dune multiple times
    • In order to ensure online reservations are honored, Sand Dune Members will be allowed on the dune 10 minutes after each reservation time slot if it has not reached its capacity of 20 people
    • A picture ID must be presented and will be checked

South Bay Activities – Summer Concerts in Manhattan Beach

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Summer is a great time just about everywhere, but summer at the beach….it doesn’t get much better than that.  The South Bay and Beach Cities have an abundance of things to do including Hermosa Beach summer concerts, concerts on the pier in Redondo Beach and Concerts at the Park in Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park. 

Concerts at the park in Manhattan happen throughout the summer.  Swing by as the events happen  every Sunday from June 30th through September 1st 2019. 

Polliwog Park is located at 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd,  just a bit east of Sepulveda and admission to the concerts is free.   As it’s in the park there are no seats so bring beach chairs and blankets and get there early if you want the prime spots in front of the stage. 

The artists are a real nice variety of cover/tribute bands and the opening acts are local teen bands from the the South Bay which makes for a great local vibe.  Opening bands perform from 3:45 PM to 4:30 PM (note that there is no opening band on June 30th) and the headline bands play from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Although subject to change, this is the current schedule on the city website (as of 6/17)

June 30th, 2019

  • The Satin Dolls – Salute to the Troops  – Entertainment reminiscent of the WWII USO Camp Shows.
  • No opening act this date

July 7th, 2019

  • The Petty Breakers – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band.
  • Opening Band XYZPDQ – All are from the Southbay and have been playing together for almost 2 years. In September of 2018, they won the Battle of the Bands at the Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair.

July 14th, 2019

  • Queen Nation  – Queen Nation is a tribute to Queen
  • Good Vibe – Opening Band – Good Vibe is a local teen band that plays alternative rock music.  Band members are:  Austin Moseley-lead vocals/guitar goes to Hermosa Valley, Brooke Blake – vocals/keyboard, goes to Vistamar , Gavin McCree- Drums, goes to Hermosa Valley and Slater Heidrich-bass, goes to Mira Costa High School.

July 21st, 2019

  • The Lucky Ones – Formed in 2013 Adam Lawson, Daniel Vos and Alonso Vargas banded together over a mutual love of all things music. With eclectic influences ranging from blues, jazz, rock and Reggae this original band is creating a new style of beach rock.
  • Alinea – Opening Band – Alinea was the Winner of 2017 Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Battle of the Bands-South Bay and winner of the Redondo Beach Battle of the Bands, 2019

July 28th, 2019

  • Speedbuggy USA –  Speedbuggy  is one of the hardest playing bands in country music, putting their nitro-fueled brand on a genre that’s been the soundtrack to American life for nearly 100 years.
  • Kato Rose – Opening Band – Kato Rose is a resident of Manhattan Beach and currently is a Junior at Notre Dame Academy Los Angeles. Kato is a vocalist and songwriter, she has performed at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, and the NBA D-League Westchester Knicks and at the South Bay Women’s Conference.

August 4th, 2019

  • Jungle Fire – Jungle Fire’s highly infectious and explosive sound draws inspiration from the groundbreaking rhythm sections behind James Brown, Fela Kuti, Ray Barretto and Irakere; a musical recipe consisting of West African and Afro-Caribbean styles layered with heavy break-beat funk, all spiced with a dose of uniquely Angeleno grit.
  • Minor Problem – Opening Band – Minor Problem is a local teen band with members from Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. The kids are 15 and 16 years old and attend Mira Costa, Redondo Union, and Chadwick High Schools. Their music consists of covers from the Classic Rock and Popular Rock genres.

August 11th, 2019

  • Tomorrows Bad Seeds -Tomorrows Bad Seeds  is a five piece American band from The South Bay of Los Angeles California, formed in 2004. A  mix of reggae, rock and pop.
  • Pier Pressure – Opening Band – Pier Pressure is a group of 14-16 year old musicians that have been crafting their sound at Coast Music in Hermosa Beach since 2015.

August 18th, 2019

  • Platinum Rockstars – Platinum Rockstars is  Pure Classic Rock Show is California’s #1 classic rock dance band, delivering perfect recreations of the greatest classic rock hits of all-time. Featuring David Victor formerly of BOSTON, Platinum Rockstars entertains thousands of fans at festivals, private parties and corporate events with the best classic rock music of all-time: Bon Jovi, Journey, Foreigner, Queen, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Van Halen and more
  • Behind Schedule – Opening Band – Behind Schedule is a group of five eighth grade friends all of whom reside in Redondo Beach and attend Parras Middle School.  They all share a passion and appreciation of music that has been further nurtured with the support of Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD)’s music program.

August 25th, 2019

  • Hot August Night  – Crowd favorite Dean Colley and his showcase band Hot August Night. Dean Colley and his Hot August Night band is the best Neil Diamond sound-alike and look-alike tribute act currently performing. Prepare to be rocked as this spectacular tribute of the legendary Neil Diamond brings you everything from teh classic 60s to contemporary Neil Diamond hits.
  • The DropOffs – Opening Band – Their love music and jamming brought these four local teen musicians together. All from the South Bay, Sam Nicosia – Bass and Guitar, Mira Costa; Teddy Stravopolous – Guitar and Bass, Mira Costa; Braden Woomer – Drums, Bosco; and Kobe Miyake – Vocals, Mira Costa.

September 1st, 2019

  • Blue Breeze Band – For more than 15 years The Blue Breeze Band has been providing Southern and Central California with the finest Motown R&B Soul Funk and Jazz and Blues.
  • Chroma Haze – Opening Band – Chroma Haze is a local band with members from Hermosa Beach, Venice, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. They are a very talented group of young musicians, all 15 years old with diverse influences including Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Paramore, Foo Fighters and Metallica. The members of Chroma Haze: Cori Wilson – Bass and Lead Vocals, Gio Conversano – Guitar, Sean Vercos – Guitar and Ethan Makauskas (Mira Costa) – Drums and Vocals

Per the city website:

Concert goers are asked to leave pets at home. Use low backed chairs to minimize visibility issues behind you. Don’t block the aisles. Be courteous to others. No smoking in the park. Watch your children, keep them off the stage and the stage apron. Climbing the trees in the park is not permitted. Place your trash in the bins throughout the park. NO– pets, barbecues, skateboards, scooters, or roller blades are allowed in the park. Concert staff and security are not responsible for unattended chairs blankets and other picnic items. Please do not remove items (chairs, blankets, etc.) that do not belong to you.

Parking: Please note parking can be difficult around the park during the concert series. Carpooling, walking and use of taxi/rideshare is encouraged. All handicap parking will be at Begg Pool parking lot and there will be a rideshare/taxi pick-up and drop-off area on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Download the 2019 Concerts in the Park map (PDF).

Enjoy the series!

See the New Construction Homes for Sale on The Walkstreets of Manhattan Beach

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Other than the oceanfront homes of the Manhattan Beach Strand, it really doesn’t get any better than this.  In the past few years, builders have been buying every older walkstreet home they could find.  They’ve generally spared no expense in the impressive homes built in these A+ locations.  Recent prices for new construction has been in the lower $8,000,000 and depending on views can go up from there.

These homes generally offer about 4000 square feet with the size varying a bit based on the lot size and just how much extra costs the builder wants to incur.

Want an easier way to search for sand section and walk street homes?  Tell us just a bit about your dream home and we’ll customize a search just for you and send you FREE email alerts whenever a new home hits the market that matches your needs.  Never miss a new listing again!

Current Newer Construction Walkstreet Homes for Sale in Manhattan Beach