Harbor City

Harbor City is an amenity-rich sector of Los Angeles, full of a diverse array of housing. Multiple eateries, markets, parks, schools and highways are within arm’s reach here.

The homes in Harbor City include a mix of single-family houses, townhomes and condos built from the mid-20th century to the early 21st century. Still, the neighborhood has a consistent look thanks to its layout and architecture; many of the structures here have Spanish revival and Craftsman styling, and many of the single-family homes are bungalows and ramblers.

The blend of housing types and styles in Harbor City fills a grid network of narrow blocks, many of which are lined with sidewalks and partially shaded by various mature trees. A lot of the single-family houses here come with a bit of lawn space, on compact lots that often fall between 4,000 and 8,000 square feet. Sale prices range from $500,000 to around $1 million, which is more accessible than some other nearby neighborhoods. “It’s cheaper than Lomita and way cheaper than Torrance,” says local Realtor Sue Cobb of Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty, a long-time Harbor City resident.

Harbor City’s sidewalks help residents here easily reach the amenities at their disposal. You can stroll over to West Lomita Boulevard, for instance, which runs through the middle of the neighborhood. This is where you can stop in for a loaded tray of savory Korean barbecue at Don’s Teriyaki. If you still need to satiate your sweet tooth after a meal at Don’s, just head across the street to the Baskin-Robbins. Or if you have a hankering for a treat in the morning, visit Eagle Donuts, on the corner of Lomita and South Normandie Avenue, right by Don’s.

California State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, is another packed thoroughfare in Harbor City. You can find an assortment of chains here, from Wingstop to Del Taco, plus some local spots like Smile Thai, where the curry dishes are well-liked. Fanoos Grill Express is an option for Mediterranean dishes, including beef and lamb with basmati rice. Head to South Normandie Avenue, right off Pacific Coast Highway, to visit Farmers Big 7 Market for fresh produce and a quality selection of meats. “That’s a very nice market,” Cobb says.

The Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center, which has almost 4,000 employees, lines part of the Pacific Coast Highway as well. This hospital has more than 200 beds. The hospital grounds play host to a weekly farmers market on Wednesdays, too.

The expansive, 290-acre Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park sprawls adjacent to the medical center, across Vermont Avenue. The park features multiple miles of trails to explore, plus a playground and a disc golf course. There’s also a nine-hole, public traditional golf course. The 45-acre Machado Lake is part of the landscape here as well. The Harbor City Recreation Center, to the north, is another place for physical activity. The facility here includes both indoor and outdoor space, which hosts programming like basketball and flag football leagues. The outdoor offerings include a skate park, too.

Children in Harbor City can attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. They may go to Harbor City Elementary or President Avenue Elementary to start — both schools have teachers who boast B+ ratings on Niche. President Avenue has a dual language program in English and Spanish, too. Students can then move on to Alexander Fleming Middle School, which has a Science, Technology, and Mathematics Magnet Center offering instruction in areas like computer programming and underwater robotics. Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High is next, for Grades 9 to 12. Narbonne offers multiple specialized academic programs, including the Public Service Academy, which can help prepare students for careers in law and law enforcement.

The constant undercurrent in Harbor City is the people, many of who have been here for generations, helping foster what Cobb says is an old-school neighborhood feel. It’s an atmosphere you can experience for yourself with a home of your own here.

Written By

Wayne Epps Jr.

Photography Contributed By

Michael Rutt

Video By

Lucas Dyke