My sister and her family (husband and three daughters ages 7-14) are moving from Atlanta area to Manhattan Beach just after Christmas. I am looking for great, lesser-well-known gems and fun things to do in M.B. for Christmas presents. I want to help them as they explore their new neighborhoods. Gift certificate ideas, or local treasures and ideas that I can help expose them to are most welcome!! Suggestions??!! Much appreciated.

Can you give us more of an idea about what their interests are? Here are just a few ideas.

Beach Cities Health District runs Adventureplex, which is kind of a gym for kids, with fitness classes, rock climbing, a ropes course: www.adventureplex.org/

There is a small aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier:
http://www.roundhouseaquarium.org/

You could get them a gift certificate which is good at any store or restaurant at the local malls:
http://www.shopmanhattanvillage.com/
http://www.southbaygalleria.com/

The local theatre companies:
http://www.civiclightopera.com/
www.hermosabeachplayhouse.com

Kincaids restaurant is on the Redondo Beach Pier. They can have dinner, then take a walk along the pier:
http://www.kincaids.com/

There are lots of good neighborhood restaurants, but I don't know if they offer gift certificates online. I can list some of them if you are interested.

That's all I can think of for now. Maybe our Manhattan Beach "Locals" -Jean and MBNancy --will see this and chime in with more suggestions.

Hey Ivk, you gave great suggestions without knowing the interests of the family. I'm off to Adventureplex in a few minutes with my granddaughter, it's a wonderful place for children of all ages. I give lots of gift certificates from MB, to put in our family's stockings, but I do one stop shopping for them at the office of our Church, where they sell the script and certificates for local restaurants, etc.
Everything from The Kettle, to Fonz's.

Wow! I feel almost famous!

I like lvk's suggestions.

In addition, I'd suggest you go to www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us/parksrec for lots of helpful info about the town and activities organized by our terrific Parks and Recreation Department. You'll see from the Winter Activities catalog that many sports are available year-round along with arts, music, exercise and other classes and bus trips for all ages.

Winter is definitely a quieter time, but spring activities start early, summer is a near overload of outdoor fun and things don't really slow down until after the Hometown Fair (Oct.) or perhaps even the Holiday Fireworks (Dec. 11th this year).

They're going to love it here!

When my parents first moved to Manhattan Beach almost 20 years ago they would go to breakfast every Saturday morning and then explore MB and the rest of the South Bay for the rest of the day. They alternated between different places:

Koffee Kart
1104 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.372.6050

Uncle Bill's Pancake House
1305 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.545.5177

The Local Yolk
3414 Highland Ave
Manhattan Beach
(310) 546-4407

Good Stuff – Now in Hermosa, Redondo and El Segundo. The MB restaurant closed.

The Kettle (Great for lunch, dinner and late night too)
1138 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.545.8511

Now, every Saturday morning they are at the Koffee Kart, usually joined by at least 1 daughter and 2 grand kids. Huge omelettes, great hash browns and other favorites. Massive fresh fruit plate too. Dad sometimes goes for the steel cut oatmeal too.

My parents found this to be a nice way to get out and about early and explore. All out of town visitors that stay through a Saturday come along and now look forward to return visits.

Your sister and family will love it in MB

Thanks to all for the suggestions. The girls are active and have been involved in soccer. The family loves off-the-beaten trail outings. I will look through the sites you recommended and seek any additional ideas for any gift memberships to museums, adventure lands, etc. great coffee houses, etc. Many thanks.