Manhattan Beach

This small coastal city is located just 3 miles south of LAX and 19 miles from DT LA. With a population @ 35,000 and just shy of 4 sq. miles, Manhattan Beach covers 2.1 miles of pristine coastline. It is one of the three (3) Beach Cities that make up the South Bay and it is also considered the finest. Known for its ideal weather and world class beaches, Manhattan Beach is home to beach volleyball and world class surfing. People here live a very healthy and active lifestyle. You will see people running, biking, skating and enjoying beach & ocean activities 365 days a year.

Manhattan Beach is known for its excellent school system, small town communities and an incredible downtown. “Downtown” is considered the heart of the city. This area runs along Manhattan Beach Blvd and the streets perpendicular to Manhattan Beach Pier and Valley Drive. There are many top-rated casual-fine dining restaurants, specialty boutiques and retailers that create a pedestrian friendly, mixed-use downtown center. Also located downtown is the Metlox site. The Metlox site, where the pottery factory once stood for decades, was closed in the early 1990s and redeveloped into a mixed-use center. The Metlox site includes a luxury boutique hotel, spa, restaurants, shops and underground parking.

Manhattan Beach also has so much more to offer. There are amazing parks like Sand Dune, Bruce’s Beach, Live Oak and Pollywog for family enjoyment, picnics, recreation and concerts. In addition, there is Veterans Parkway Greenbelt (also known as “The Woodchips”). This 4 mile wood chip path is situated between Valley and Ardmore Ave and extends from Sepulveda to Herondo St. This path is home to many runners, dog walkers and nature lovers.

The city is divided into 6 distinct neighborhoods: Sand Section, Tree Section, Hill Section, Manhattan Village, Manhattan Heights/Liberty Village and Mira Costa.

This area starts at Homer Street on the south end, 45th (El Porto area) on the north end and stretches 4-5 blocks east. The "Sand Section" has some of the best oceanfront homes on the west coast. These homes stretch along the bike path and walking lane of "The Strand". "The Strand" section of Manhattan Beach includes some of the most expensive real estate per square foot in the United States. Since 2010, new property developments in Manhattan Beach cannot exceed two lot parcels. Size and appearance restrictions were enacted by the Manhattan Beach City Council to preserve the appearance of the beachfront community after three lots were joined to create a 16,000 square foot oceanside home in 2008.

In addition, this area is notable for its quiet walk-street neighborhoods adjacent to the ocean. Walk street properties are highly sought after in Manhattan Beach. These Manhattan Beach homes have one side of the property facing a pedestrian walk street. They offer a lot of oceanfront views available with more privacy and less pedestrian traffic.

The Tree Section is east of the Sand Section, extends to Sepulveda Blvd and south to Manhattan Beach Blvd. Similar to the Sand Section most of this area is within walking distance to town and the beach, but offers slightly larger lots and allowing for homes to be a little farther apart. The Tree Section is home to many families and is made up of quaint neighborhoods with a small town feel. The name was derived from the diverse collection of mature trees that line many of the streets there. Many of the streets are named after this area…Maple, Palm, Poinsettia, Walnut, Pine, Elm and Oak. The small town atmosphere in the Tree Section creates close-knit neighborhoods. The tree section west of Pacific Ave and north of Valley attend Grandview Elementary School and the tree section east of Pacific Ave and and south of Ardmore Ave attend Pacific Elementary School.

The Hill Section is east of the Sand Section and south of the tree section. It offers some of the most expensive properties off “The Strand” and has some amazing estate homes. Because of its rolling nature, many of the homes have ocean and/or city views. The lots are generally larger and have space for large yards.

Manhattan Village is a secluded, private, guard gated area of Manhattan Beach. This area has an exclusive collection of 400 custom Townhomes, Court Homes and Estate Homes representing the finest in private beach living. The community has a community pool + spa area, four additional spas within the community and a quiet family atmosphere. One of the biggest draws to this area is the serenity and beauty that exists throughout. The community is low density, which allows for lots of lush landscaping and open space.

East of Sepulveda or more widely known as Pacific Coast Highway, is East Manhattan. MB Heights/ Liberty Village is at the north end and Mira Costa to the south end. Just over a mile from the beach, this section allows for bigger lots and more separation from one's neighbors. Residents migrating from the east coast seem to feel more at home here, with the formal sidewalks and large front and back yards. MB Heights/Liberty Village is bordered by Sepulveda to the west, Marine to the north, Aviation to the east and Manhattan Blvd to the south.

Just to the south of MB Heights/Liberty Village is the Mira Costa area. The Mira Costa area is bordered by Sepulveda to the west, Manhattan Beach Blvd to the north, Aviation Blvd to the east and Artesia Blvd to the south.

This area is named after the only high school, Mira Costa High School, which is located on the southern border. Also known for its views, sloping streets and some very large homes, Mira Costa also has a very exclusive area called the Poets Section because its streets are named after famous poets: Keats, Longfellow and Tennyson. The lots and homes in this area are very exclusive, large and special.