It depends on your priorities and the atmosphere you're looking for. Manhattan Beach is tiny in size and population compared to Santa Monica. MB is a beach town. SM is a city located on the coast.

If local art and shopping are the priorities, then SM is probably the better choice. If you want to spend time on the sand and in the water, MB would be the better choice BY A MILE. MB has nice shopping but on a very much smaller scale, and there are good restaurants in both towns. The bike path runs from several miles south of MB to several miles north of SM.

Jean - locals love MB so much. Dh lived there back in the day and speaks so fondly of it.

SM is more funky, more artsy, more touristy (but not in a bad way)...less beachy.

MB is more of a locals spot. It has an upscale beach feel to it. If I'm hanging with my friends or want to relax and chill, I'll go to MB and grab a beer and walk the strand. If i want to people-watch and show visitors around, I usually take them to 3rd street in SM, we then walk to the pier and then walk along the strand up to Venice. Main street is fun as well.

I haven't actually been to Sequoia yet, but when we've considered it (on our way to somewhere else), it always seemed like it would be a major effort to go there. It's not just a minor detour. If that is the case, perhaps you would like to skip it, so you could spend time on the coast - since the beach seems to be calling you.
Perhaps other Fodorites could speak to this??

When you say "beach" are you envisioning sunshine, blue skies and palm trees? or are you thinking foggy, gray, sun doesnt come out until 2 PM... wear sweatshirts and have hot coffee with brandy in it?

That is the choice between Santa Barbara south beaches (sunshine) and the "Central Coast" (foggy) from Cambria to Pismo.

We have June Gloom here...when it is hot in the San Joaquin Valley, it is cool and foggy here and the tourists from the valley love our weather. Our best beautiful beach times here are from September to February. yes, that means when it is cold and foggy in the valley, it is the exact opposite here... sunny and sometimes very warm.

I'm also not clear if you want to be on the beach as in laying out in a swimsuit or just having a nice view of the water from a restaurant. It makes a difference.

If you want the beach, I would drive from Yosemite to Santa Barbara for a night and then spend your final three nights in either Manhattan Beach or Santa Monica as others have suggested.

Again, welcome to CA!

ooops, just remembered you are coming in September... weather not so much of an issue, but the beaches sure are more beautiful SB and farther south! lol

Well, everyone will be sick of me and my CA questions and queries, but I would do the same for any of you, so:

No, no swimsuits or laying out on the beach. Seals, waves, rocky shores, sunsets, highly scenic is what I'm thinking of when I say beach. I guess I might just as well say "Pacific Ocean" because that is what I really want to see.

IMO, the best ocean views in L.A. are from the Terrenea Resort. There are lovely walking paths and a lighthouse nearby, but no shopping within walking distance. It's more of a distination resort.

http://www.terranea.com/

The rocky shores are found nearer Carmel... most southern CA beaches have sand and few rocks. The coast of CA is very diverse... that's why I asked. I was hoping to help you find exactly what you were looking for. Im not aware of any rocky, wave crashing on the rocks beaces in Southern CA but I havent been to all of them so hopefully someone will be able to guide you.

Cambria (near San Simeon) has waves and rocky shores.

Im not aware of any rocky, wave crashing on the rocks beaces in Southern CA but I havent been to all of them so hopefully someone will be able to guide you.
__________________________________________________ _____________
You're aware onemoneygirl, there are none. Maybe a patch here and there but it's more for the enjoyment of beachfront homeowners.

Parts of Malibu (the beach is entirely public access at the water line)
Palos Verdes Peninsula
La Jolla
Catalina

La Jolla... when we take out of town guests to Georges on the Terrace that have been to the Almalfi Coast they say it reminds them of that. Some parts of Laguna are rocky/cliffy.

How is the planning coming along?