Manhattan Beach is basically the crown jewel of the South Bay, but honestly, if you just glance at a generic weather app before heading down to the pier, you’re probably going to be underdressed or over-prepared. It's kinda funny how the "bubble" works here. You can be roasting in a tank top in Culver City and then hit the Sepulveda curve only to find a wall of grey and a ten-degree drop.
Manhattan Beach weather today is playing that classic coastal game of "will it or won't it" with the sun.
Currently, we’re sitting at a comfortable 70°F. But here’s the thing: it actually feels like 75°F. Why? The humidity is hovering around 36%, which is pretty low for a beach town. It’s that dry, crisp California air that makes you think you’re in a desert until a gust of wind hits you. Speaking of wind, it’s basically non-existent right now, just a lazy 2 mph crawl coming from the north. If you’re planning on playing volleyball near the Marine Avenue courts, the conditions are pretty much perfect for not having the ball blow into the next zip code.
The Forecast Nobody Talks About
Most people just see "mostly cloudy" on their phone and assume it's a gloom day.
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They’re wrong.
Today’s high is expected to hit 75°F, which is actually significantly warmer than the typical January average for this area. Usually, Manhattan Beach is lucky to break 65°F this time of year. We’re in a bit of a weird warm pocket. However, don't let the afternoon warmth fool you. Once that sun starts dipping toward the horizon—around 5:10 PM—the floor drops out. We’re looking at a low of 52°F tonight. That is a 23-degree swing.
If you’re grabbing dinner at The Strand House or Fishing with Dynamite, for the love of everything, bring a real jacket. Not a "LA hoodie," a real jacket.
The sky is going to stay mostly cloudy throughout the day, transitioning into a full cloudy blanket by tonight. There’s a 10% chance of rain, but honestly, that’s just meteorologist-speak for "there might be a light mist that lasts for three minutes and makes your car look slightly dirtier." Don't cancel your Strand walk over it.
Surf and Sand Realities
If you’re looking at the water, the ocean doesn't care that the air is 75°F.
The sea temperature is sitting right at 61°F. That’s actually a few degrees warmer than the historical average for mid-January (which usually bottoms out at 58°F), but it’s still "freeze your toes off" cold if you aren't moving.
For the surfers heading to El Porto or the Pier:
- The surf is tiny. We’re talking 1 to 2 feet, maybe a 1.5-foot average on the sets.
- It’s "glassy" and "clean" because that north wind is so light.
- Period is around 12–13 seconds, which is decent, but there just isn't enough meat on the bones of this swell to make it a "call out of work" day.
- A 4/3mm wetsuit is still the move. Some guys are out in 3/2s because of the warm air, but if you sit still for ten minutes waiting for a set, you'll feel it.
The UV index is surprisingly low today, sitting at a 2. You’d think with 75-degree weather you’d need to cake on the SPF 50, but the cloud cover is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Still, if you’re fair-skinned and spending four hours on the sand, don't be a hero.
Why Today is Weirdly Good for Air Quality
Manhattan Beach usually has great air, but today it's actually "Good" with an AQI around 50. Sometimes in the winter, we get these temperature inversions where the smog from the basin gets trapped, but today the air is clear. The dominant pollutant is PM2.5, but at these levels, it’s basically a non-issue for anyone who doesn't have extreme respiratory sensitivity.
If you’ve been putting off a long run because of the "January gloom" or concerns about air quality, today is actually your green light. The lack of wind means you won't be fighting a headwind on the way back from Hermosa, and the 70-degree temps are the "sweet spot" for distance.
The Logistics of a 75-Degree January Day
Parking at the Metlox plaza or the underground lots near the pier is going to be a nightmare today. When the weather hits 75°F in January, everyone from the Valley decides they are a "beach person" for the day.
Expect:
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- Long waits at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House (honestly, just go to Four Daughters instead).
- Crowded bike paths. The "E-bike teenagers" will be out in full force. Watch your six.
- High demand for outdoor seating. If a place doesn't take reservations, get there by 11:30 AM or 4:30 PM.
The humidity will tick up slightly to 38% as we head into the evening, but the real story is that north wind picking up to about 7 mph tonight. It’s going to turn the "mostly cloudy" day into a "cloudy and damp" night.
Basically, today is a gift for Manhattan Beach in the middle of winter. It’s warm without being sweltering, the air is clean, and while the waves are small, the vibe on the Strand is going to be top-tier.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Layer up: Wear a base layer you’re comfortable in at 75°F, but have a heavy coat in the trunk for the 52°F drop after sunset.
- Go early: If you want a spot on the sand or a parking space south of Valley Drive, aim for arrival before 10:30 AM.
- Check the tide: High tide is around 8:34 AM and 10:22 PM. If you’re walking the beach, the mid-afternoon (around 3:51 PM low tide) is when you’ll have the most hard-packed sand to work with.