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Sand Dune Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 785 Google reviews · Running trail in Manhattan Beach, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Sand Dune Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Recreation area with a playground & trails up a 100-foot-high sand dune; reservations required.
What runners say about Sand Dune Park
“It’s a nicely maintained natural shaded area, where some users enjoy a leisure walk and others prefer the workout.”
Sand Dune Park is one of my favorite natural areas in the LA Metropolitan area! Great park for workouts on the hill and for kids to play at the playground! It’s basically a multilevel park starting with the lower flat area with a parking lot, playground, picnic tables and restrooms.
The workout was nice and the short walk to the beach was amazing! It was not crowded and very peaceful.
Just as I remember it in the late 80s but with less crowds. Just as hard as I remember it too. I did reserve my spot, which I think is a helpful way to keep it less crowded than it used to be. Hopefully those same people will come back with a reservation.
There is a sand playground, a large green space, bathrooms, a 100 foot high sand dune (good for workouts) with an accompanying parallel set of stairs, a 'nature' trail, and picnic tables and shared ground to have a picnic on. The playground is mediocre, and the sand makes it less enjoyable.
Trail conditions & character
“If you've ever tried to do that, you'll know it's impossible to get a good slide down a hill.”
“It’s basically a multilevel park starting with the lower flat area with a parking lot, playground, picnic tables and restrooms.”
“It’s basically a multilevel park starting with the lower flat area with a parking lot, playground, picnic tables and restrooms.”
“It’s basically a multilevel park starting with the lower flat area with a parking lot, playground, picnic tables and restrooms.”
Plan your run at Sand Dune Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitemanhattanbeach.gov
- Phone(310) 802-5448
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–8 PM |
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