Marine Street Volleyball: The Soul of Manhattan Beach Sand
There’s something magical about the stretch of sand just north of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Locals simply call it Marine Street (or Marine Ave), and if you’ve ever laced up a pair of sand socks, dug your feet into that famously deep, dark sand, and heard the sharp thwack of a spike echoing off the bluff, you already know: this isn’t just another set of beach courts. This is one of the most legendary places in the entire world of beach volleyball.
Nestled between 23rd and 25th Streets, about 10 blocks north of the pier, the Marine Street courts form a tight cluster of 10–12 nets that have been grinding out champions, friendships, and lifelong obsessions for decades. While the famous Manhattan Beach Open steals the spotlight down by the pier every summer, Marine is where the everyday magic happens — the place where pros train side-by-side with weekend warriors, moms’ groups, and “old guy” crews who’ve been playing the same court since the 1980s.
A Court with History: Welcome to the Orange Court
If Marine Street is the heart of South Bay volleyball culture, then Orange Court is its soul.
For decades, the courts at Marine were color-coded instead of numbered — blue, green, and the legendary orange. Orange Court was the main stage: the biggest, the most competitive, the place where the best players wanted to be seen. CBVA (California Beach Volleyball Association) tournaments still regularly call it home, and longtime players talk about it the way baseball fans talk about Fenway or golfers talk about Augusta National.
Even after paint jobs and county maintenance, the Orange Court remains a pilgrimage site. As one CBVA legend put it, Marine Street (and Orange Court in particular) carries a special significance that few other beaches can match.
What It Feels Like to Play Here
The sand at Marine is deep — some of the deepest in Southern California. Pros love training here because once you get used to that soft, energy-sapping surface, every other beach feels like a highway. The dark sand also leaves its mark: after a morning session you’ll find it in your shower, your car, and your clothes for days.
The vibe is pure California volleyball:
- Early mornings: serious training sessions with current and former pros
- Midday: mixed groups, friendly challenge courts, and the classic “shoes on the pole” system
- Weekends: packed with energy, laughter, and the occasional high-level side match
You’ll see Olympic medalists hitting with college kids, 60-year-olds still diving for every ball, and first-timers discovering the addiction. It’s the rare place where the entire spectrum of the sport shares the same sand.
Practical Guide: How to Get There & What to Bring
Location
Volleyball courts: one block north of Marine Street between 23rd and 25th Streets, right on the sand.
Closest access points: 26th Street or Marine Avenue.
Directions (from the 405)
Exit Rosecrans Avenue west → drive ~2¾ miles → left on Highland Avenue → right on 26th Street for metered parking (or hunt free street parking nearby).
Parking Tips
- Metered spots near 26th Street
- Free residential street parking (arrive early on weekends)
- Note: the walk back up the bluff after a long session is its own workout
What to Bring
- Sand socks (the sand gets hot)
- Plenty of water + fillable bottle (limited nearby food options)
- Sunscreen, towel, snacks
- Your own ball and lines if you’re setting up a private court
- A good attitude — leave the beach cleaner than you found it
CBVA tournaments here typically check in by 8:30 a.m. and start at 9:00 a.m. Snacks and water are often provided, but pack a lunch just in case.
Why Marine Street Matters
Manhattan Beach is widely regarded as one of the spiritual homes of modern beach volleyball. The Manhattan Beach Open (the “Granddaddy of Them All”) has been running since 1960 and still crowns champions with plaques on the Volleyball Walk of Fame along the pier. But the daily culture — the pickup games, the training sessions, the multi-generational love of the sport — thrives at places like Marine.
In a world of reservation systems and private clubs, Marine Street remains gloriously free and open. No permit. No membership. Just show up, find a court, and play.
Whether you’re a first-timer looking to get sandy or a seasoned player chasing that next level, Marine Street delivers the full South Bay experience: ocean breeze, deep sand, killer competition (or chill vibes — your choice), and that unmistakable feeling that you’re standing on hallowed ground.
Final Serve
Next time you’re in Manhattan Beach, skip the pier crowds for a morning or afternoon and head a little further north. Find the courts between 23rd and 25th. Dig your toes in. Call for the ball.
You’ll understand why so many people who’ve played here never really leave.
See you on the sand. 🏐🌊
Want tournament schedules? Check CBVA.com for the latest Marine Ave events. Prefer the big stage? The Manhattan Beach Open still happens every August right down the beach.