Top South Bay Party Events!
Manhattan Beach Fireworks Leads 5 Best List
The beer garden at the Old Hometown Fair is one of the South Bay's best events.
Every city has its signature event, be it a parade, festival, music or sports spectacular.
Manhattan Beach, which is really a "city within a city" considering its is one of the trio of beach cities in the South Bay region of greater Los Angeles, has not a single, but several signature events each year.
There's so many activities that it's possible to rank them in terms of popularity and, quite frankly, their party power (which means this could be considered a toast as much as a ranking). So here is PubClub.com's list of the Top 5 Annual Events in Manhattan Beach.
– #1 MANHATTAN BEACH HOLIDAY FIREWORKS –
Palm trees frame fireworks at this annual spectacular event.
Thousands turn out for the annual Holiday Fireworks in December.
With so much happening in the Beach Cities on the Fourth of July, the city of Manhattan Beach astutely saves its booming celebration for the holiday season.
The result is a spectacular spectacle, fireworks off the pier that bring out the entire community. Many people arrive by foot, taking a leisurely stroll down the Strand or streets to arrive at the pier where they set up blankets and beach chairs. Others watch from one of the many house parties or bars.
This is one of the few events where singles and families mingle together; they stand side-by-side admiring the fantastic fireworks. It's also where one sometimes sees that ex-girlfriend or boyfriend of a few years ago pushing a baby stroller. Smiles are, generally, exchanged.
The festivities begin at 5, with the show starting about 6. This is one of the best fireworks displays, anywhere or anytime, in the entire country. Afterward, the couples and families go to the restaurants for dinner and the single people pack into the bars. The fireworks are the city's "office" holiday party.
It can be chilly (by Manhattan Beach standards) so visitors are advised to dress to fit the occasion. While shorts and sandals work for most of the year, such wardrobe is not advisable for this evening.
As for the Fourth of July and fireworks, well it's great in the South Bay but the massive house parties and fun of Manhattan Beach have moved south to Hermosa. Here's a look at the 4th in the South Bay.
Event Date: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.
Location: Manhattan Beach Pier
Link: Fireworks Article, Photos
– #2 OLD HOMETOWN FAIR –
PubClub.com always has a great time in the Hometown Fair beer garden.
Getting locals off the beach on a weekend is not easy.
Except for Hometown Fair.
It's not the actual fair (food and craft booths) that's the attraction but the beer garden. One of the most popular things Manhattan Beach has ever created, the beer garden attracts South Bay singles like moths to a light.
It's elbow-to-elbow on Saturday and serves as Manhattan Beach's annual class reunion, for not only is the entire single set of the South Bay on hand but also for people who used to live (and be single) here. They always seem come to back for Hometown Fair to relive their more carefree days. The beer garden is open noon-6 p.m., but anyone arriving after 1 will be waiting in a line. And that line does not move because nobody leaves the beer garden! Afterward, the many stumbling souls pour out into the bars.
Saturday starts with a 10K run in the morning that ends at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Afterward, several people head straight to the closest bar, Shellback Tavern, where its best-in-Manhattan bloody marys are lined up on the bar for thirsty runners. Some may go home to shower and change while others go straight through to the beer garden. And beyond.
The scene is less chaotic on Sunday but is still fun for many who want to "do it again."
Event Dates: First weekend of October.
Location: Live Oak Park and along Valley to 15th St.
Link: Hometown Fair & Beer Garden Article, Photos
– #3 TRUMP NATIONAL BEER & WINE FESTIVAL –
In only four years, the Trump National Wine & Beer Festival has become a top event.
The new kid on the block – it's only been going on four four years – has become an instant hit.
As the only beer and wine festival in the South Bay, it's got that unique appeal. And the location is also a draw, on a cliff in Palos Verdes adjacent to Trump National Golf Course. Thats a win-win combination.
Event Dates: Sunday afernoon, mid- to late August
Location: Trump National Golf Club, Palos Verdes.
Link: Article & Photos
– #4 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE –
Manhattan greets the season starting with Holiday Open House.
PubClub.com brought out PubClubettes Melissa and Lindsay for Holiday Open House.
The holiday season begins well before December in Manhattan Beach. It starts with this mid-week stroll though downtown.
Shops stay open late, many offering food tastings from local restaurants and beverages. A quartet of carolers are among the thousand or so people walking in and out of stores along Manhattan Ave., and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
For couples and families, it's a nice time to check out what all those cute little shops sell and might have on sale. For the many singles in the area, it's a chance to go out and socialize during the week. Many seek out whatever adult beverages may be offered (say, a glass of wine in a clothing store) and call each other with updates of the best places.
There are bar stops along the way – the Shade hotel is always a popular destination – and afterward those who don't have to get up early the next day continue building their holiday spirit at Ercoles, Shellback, Mucho's and the other drinking establishments.
Event Date: Nov. 16
Location: Downtown Manhattan Beach
Link: Article & Photos
– #5 FIESTA HERMOSA –
Fiesta Hermosa is the place to be each Memorial and Labor Day.
This event is twice as nice, in that it comes twice a year.
Each Mamorial and Labor Day, Hermosa Beach blocks off its downtown for a three-day fesvival that brings in more than 10,000 people. There are the obligatory craft booths but there's also a stage at the Pier with live bands (mosly cover bands of rock legends like David Bowie and U2) and a beer garden, also with bands.
At some ponit on these three-day weekends, everyone who has stayed in town makes it to Fiesta Hermosa.
Event Dates: Eeach Mamorial and Labor Day
Location: Hermosa Beach Pier Ave.
Link: Article & Photos
– #6 MANHATTAN OPEN –
Beach volleyball is the culture in Manhattan Beach and it's on display at the MB Open.
When it was the AVP, the Manhattan Open was the #2 event (#1 was 6-man until the City Council and MBPD reduced it to nothing more than a club tournament).
After all, this beach volleyball tournament is played in the very city where the sport was created, and in front of one of the most knowlegable fan bases of any sport anywhere.
But the AVP folded and while Jose Cuervo has taken it over, it's not quite the same. A big part of the reason is that the scattered status of beach volleyball has taken the the top players out of America to play overseas for the big prize money.
Still, the Manhattan Open is a top South Bay event and it will always ben known as the Wimbledon of beach volleyball. If top players can make it, they will play it.
Players speak of the Manhattan Open – particularly legends like Karch Kiraly and Sinjun Smith – with such reverence, they say they have accomplished nothing in the sport until they have won Manhattan. It's on par with an Olympic gold medal. And it's been around a lot longer.
Beach volleyball was born in Manhattan Beach and it is forever a part of the city's culture. Almost everyone in town plays the sport and there's some kind of tournament just about every summer weekend at the pier. What surfing is to Huntington, beach volleyball is to Manhattan.
Beyond the volleyball, the Manhattan Open servies as a prime opportunity to socialize. It's a huge part of this event, as big as a Phil Dalhausser spike. Morning, noon and night, the downtown bars are packed. From breakfast and bloodys all the way through Bud Lights deep into the night, this is an event locals look forward to for months. And look back on with a lot of laughs.
Event Dates: Generally mid-August, but dates vary.
Location: Manhattan Beach Pier.
Link: Article & Photos |
