My family and I spent a week at the Johnson's Manhattan Beach house this summer, and it was the best vacation ever. I grew up in MB and wanted my kids to experience the magic of being close to the beach in the summer. The location is fantastic, the house is fantastic, and the owners are very friendly, answer emails quickly and are just plain nice to work with.
The house is very clean and spacious, and we felt right at home. I have three kids, and nobody felt crowded. The open plan kitchen and dining room were a great space for cooking and dining, and dishes, pans and utensils were easy to find. There is plenty of space for clothing--bathroom drawers, closet space and dressers had all been emptied out for guests. There were computers in the children's rooms, which was handy, and the entertainment system in the living room was excellent--and the owners have left detailed instructions. If anything, the house is much roomier than it looks in the pictures on the website. Everyone in our family was also a big fan of Socks, the resident cat. He's very laid back, but he likes to hang out near where people are.
The saltwater pool and jacuzzi are amazing. The pool area is beautifully designed and the landscaping compliments the space. There is plenty of outdoor seating and there is plastic wear on hand for poolside beverages.
My family went to the beach every day, and the beach is just a 5 minute walk away. There were boogie boards and beach chairs at the house, too. My younger kids boogie boarded every day.
Also within 10 minutes' walk is downtown MB, with retail, restaurants, and the classic Manhattan Beach Pier. Grocery stores are within walking distance as well, or a 10 minute drive if you want to go to Whole Foods. The owners leave a sheet of restaurant recommendations.
As an MB native, I really appreciated the low-rise, low-key character of the house. It's quite roomy without feeling ostentatious, and it's is very much in keeping with the original character of this very special town.