MANHATTAN BEACH
Manhattan Beach is one of the three main Beach Cities that make up the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. It is a thriving active community of approximately 35,000 residents centered around nationally ranked public schools, the financial district in nearby Downtown Los Angeles, and the booming tech industry in Silicon Beach. Unique features include The Strand bike path, which winds along the Pacific Ocean between modern mansions and wide stretches of sand lined beaches with volleyball courts and the low-key Manhattan Beach Pier with its quaint aquarium and views of surfers and sunbathers. There are several parks and a small downtown area with boutiques, cafes, pubs, and upscale eateries. Considered a classic southern California beach town, you simply can’t find a better place to live if you’re looking for a small town lifestyle with big city accessibility.
The upscale Manhattan Beach real estate market offers several different areas and neighborhoods to choose from. Depending on personal priorities and preferences, there are four distinct areas that are sure to meet the needs of the most discerning home buyer:
The Sand Section
The Sand Section is located adjacent to the beach and incorporates the main downtown, north end commercial and shopping areas, and El Porto, a small sub-section of Manhattan Beach known for its great surfing and laidback vibe. The Sand Section boasts some of the priciest and most desirable real estate on the market given its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, walkability to the beach and popular dining and shopping options, as well as the opportunity to enjoy incredible ocean views. Lot sizes for homes in this area generally range from a 30’x90’ full lot to a 30’x45’ half lot. To be expected, location drives valuation with accessibility to the beach and ocean views being the primary factor. The somewhat urban feel of this area is largely offset by a relaxed vibe - in other words, shorts and flip flops remain the order of the day!
The Tree Section
Northeast of the Sand Section, the Tree Section is a short step back from the beach, while still maintaining reasonable walkability to downtown MB. This area was designated the Tree Section in large part because of the diverse collection of mature trees that line many of the streets, as well as the street signs named after, you guessed it, trees! - Oak, Elm, Maple, etc. The close knit neighborhood definitely has a more suburban, residential family type atmosphere with many of the streets free form in nature without sidewalks and curbs. Lot sizes in the Trees generally range from 40’x110’ to 40’x135’ with an abundance of traditional and new construction properties as the typical offering for sale.
The Hill Section
The Hill Section is located southeast of the Sand Section and the Tree Section. Situated on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Hill Section offers larger than average lots, which can range from 4,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet, impressive ocean views, wide streets, and easy walkability to downtown and the beach, making for some of the most sought after real estate along the southern California coast.
East Manhattan Beach
Situated east of Sepulveda Blvd, East Manhattan Beach provides those looking for more ‘elbow room’ with bigger lots, 5,000 square feet - 7,500 square feet on average, allowing for more separation and privacy from one’s neighbors. Formal sidewalks, larger front and backyards, and space to have a pool contribute to this area’s enduring appeal. For those whose preferences align with a conforming gated community concept, Manhattan Village, a sub-area within East Manhattan Beach, offers a diverse selection of court homes, townhomes, and single family residences, and is the only gated community in Manhattan Beach. Both privacy and convenience (steps to the Manhattan Village Mall), are big draws to living within the gates of Manhattan Village.
Why to You Need to Move Here
It’s easy to see why Manhattan Beach real estate is among the most sought after in Los Angeles county. The mild summers and fresh ocean breeze, jaw-dropping ocean views and short walks to the beach, nationally top-ranked schools, and easy accessibility to surrounding Los Angeles communities, make this town a highly desirable place to live. Prefer to stay local? Park your car for the weekend and participate in numerous events such as Sunday Concerts in the Park, the annual Skechers Pier-to-Pier Friendship Walk, the annual fall Hometown Fair, the International Surf Festival and 6-Man Volleyball Tournament, the world famous Pumpkin Race, the annual Holiday Fireworks show each December, and much more! Understandably, Manhattan Beach homes for sale don’t last long!