A buzzy beachfront suburb of Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach is a city on Southern California's Pacific Coast. The ultra-luxury locale has some of the most expensive real estate in LA County, boasting 2 miles of beachfront and over 100 acres of sand that glimmers in the sun. "When you think about the so-called classic SoCal beach lifestyle, Manhattan Beach is your place," says Dario Svidler, Partners CRE's executive vice president, who has almost $1 billion in career sales. "It's different than Santa Monica because it's harder to get to and doesn't attract droves of tourists. It feels more your own to residents." Manhattan Beach is a city of about 33,000, known for its hot restaurant scene and top-tier schools. The only drawback to everything the city offers is a uniquely high price of entry. "This is a high cost of living area, no doubt. It's an expensive city that consistently goes against state housing mandates," Svidler says. "Residents want the city to stay exactly how it is, and the barriers to entry are very high by design."
Approximately 2 miles of pristine beach makes up Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles, CA.
Downtown Manhattan Beach in California is a prime spot for shopping and dining.
Manhattan Beach, CA has the classic So Cal beach lifestyle with picturesque scenery.
Manhattan Beach Pier is a major landmark and a popular viewing spot for visitors and locals.
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Super luxury market along The Strand
Manhattan Beach stands out as expensive in a state known for sky-high housing prices. In late 2024, the median home price was around $3 million, compared to $400,000 nationally and $900,000 in broader California. “This area has really pushed back on affordable housing mandates from the state. And there aren’t a lot of homes for sale because not a lot of people leave,” Svidler says. From beachy bungalows to contemporary farmhouses, neighborhoods are distinct, each with its own vibe. Manhattan Village is the city’s only gated community — it has single-family estate homes, condos and townhomes. The Sand Section sits along Manhattan Beach’s 2-mile coastline, with the most expensive homes along The Strand, a super-luxury market with homes that can sell for over $30 million — a home on a triple lot can sell for over $100 million. Though, most homes are priced between $2 million and $6 million. There are larger lots in East Manhattan, perfect for buyers looking for a little more elbow room between neighbors. “The rule of thumb in beach communities is that the closer to the beach you are, the more expensive properties will be. Prices will drop a little as you get closer to the 405,” Svidler says.
Manhattan Beach is lined with a row of luxury homes looking directly at the Pacific Ocean.
Ocean views are a highlight for a lot of Manhattan Beach multi-level homes.
Modern beach front homes with large windows are distinctive for Manhattan Beach.
Rows of beach houses line both sides of pedestrian only streets at Manhattan Beach.
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Beach communities attract top-tier teachers
The city is served by Manhattan Beach Unified, a top-tier public school district with an A-plus grade from Niche. “People who live in Manhattan Beach are not sending their kids to private schools,” says Svidler. “They have great community schools and active PTAs. And if you’re a teacher with great credentials, who wouldn’t want to live in a beach community like this.” Every school in the district, which serves around 6,000 students, is graded A or better. A high-achieving school graded A-plus by Niche, Mira Costa High School is known in popular culture as a filming location for the popular aughts show “The O.C.”
Mira Costa High School's front office is located on Artesia Blvd in Manhattan Beach, CA.
Manhattan Beach Middle School is a top rated public school with above the average scores.
Pacific Elementary School in Manhattan Beach, CA has a second entrance in the back of campus.
Meadows Avenue Elementary School's classrooms next to the blacktop in Manhattan Beach, CA.
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Bumming at the beach and hanging at the pier
For a bustling beach experience, locals can go to Manhattan Beach, which features the oldest concrete pier on the West Coast. “Locals would never go to the pier in a place like Santa Monica, but that’s not the case in Manhattan Beach,” Svidler says. “This isn’t a tourist-heavy area, so you’re getting mostly locals hanging at the pier and the beach.” From lounging on the sand to visiting the Roundhouse Aquarium, visitors are right next to downtown to get a bite to eat after some time in the sand. They can also access The Strand, a 2.1-mile multiuse trail where people can walk or bike alongside panoramic views of the ocean. At Bruce’s Beach, residents can surf and suntan on a less crowded, historic beach. For those who prefer land to sea, the most popular municipal park in the city is Polliwog Park. It offers concerts in an amphitheater, a botanical garden and walking paths around Polliwog Lake.
Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs through Manhattan Beach and separates luxury homes from soft sand.
Manhattan Beach is boasts 2 miles of beachfront and a hotspot for water sports.
The Manhattan Beach Pier is a less popular but beautiful pier loved by locals.
Polliwog Park's large lake attracts fisherman trying their luck at the best catch.
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A beachside downtown and multiple malls
Along Manhattan Beach Boulevard, residents can find downtown Manhattan Beach, about a dozen walkable blocks of low to mid-rise buildings home to boutiques, galleries and local restaurants. The retail center slopes downward until reaching the beach. There are also a handful of blocks on Highland Avenue that highlight more small business eateries from cafes to dinner spots. "This has become a great food destination. There are a ton of great restaurants — highly regarded eateries and a few Michelin places," Svidler says. At Manhattan Village, people can shop at a modern remodeled indoor mall filled with brand-name clothing stores and dine-in chain restaurants. The community also has a couple of strip malls, Manhattan Market Place and Manhattan Gateway, ideal for groceries and big box store shopping.
Manhattan Beach is a prime spot for boutique clothing shops such as Marine Layer.
Manhattan Village is a massive shopping center in Manhattan Beach, California.
Manhattan Gateway is a shopping plaza with major retail stores in Manhattan Beach.
Manhattan Marketplace in Manhattan Beach is another commercial shopping plaza.
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Kid-friendly community events through the seasons
In Manhattan Beach, residents can expect community events throughout every season. In the spring, residents can do the Family Campout for a movie, spend a night in a tent, and have pancakes in the morning. The annual Concerts in the Park is a summer series featuring live bands in Polliwog Park Amphitheater. The autumnal Pumpkin Race consists of decorating wheeled pumpkins that are raced down Manhattan Beach Boulevard, with costumes encouraged. At the annual Holiday Crafts with Santa, people can decorate ornaments, drink hot chocolate and enjoy a visit from Santa Claus.
Hit the dance floor at Concerts in the Park at Polliwog Park.
2024 Pumpkin Race Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles, California.
Pose for a photo with Santa Clause at The Skechers Holiday Fireworks
Several vendors at the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market offer fresh produce.
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Manhattan Beach is a commuter town known for traffic
Manhattan Beach is a commuter town. “There isn’t a big jobs base here, so you’re commuting the 10 miles south to Torrance or about 20 miles to LA or Long Beach,” Svidler says. “You’ve also got a lot of people working at LAX living in the city because it’s only a few miles north, and then there is Silicon Beach just north of the airport, which has been a tech base since the 1990s.” The city’s main thoroughfare is state Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, and Interstate 405 is about 2 miles east. “One thing about Manhattan Beach is that it’s slow and tough to get to. You have to take the 405 in, and beach communities are known for congestion, so the closer you get to the beach, the more traffic you’ll encounter,” Svidler says. Getting around without a car is possible because Manhattan Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard are pedestrian-friendly, and Beach Cities Transit operates a handful of bus routes.
High property crime and warm, dry summers
According to statistics from the FBI, violent crime in Manhattan Beach happens at under half the rate than it does nationally and at the broader state level. On the other hand, property crime is higher than the state and national numbers, and can fluctuate from month to month.
Due to its location on the coast, Manhattan Beach doesn’t face the wildfire risk that many places in Southern California face, but it is at risk of flooding and coastal erosion caused by sea level rise. The weather is known to be mild, with warm and dry summer months in the upper 70s and slightly wetter winter months in the mid-60s.
As a South Bay native for 25+ years and a Real Estate Broker, I have assisted clients with buying, selling, 1031 exchanging, managing, and leasing multimillion-dollar residential and commercial properties. I love guiding my client's transactions to closure, ensuring my clients achieve the highest returns. One of my greatest strengths is developing strong client relationships and providing unwavering support throughout the entire process. Whether you are new to real estate or a seasoned investor, I am dedicated to coaching you through every step with professionalism, expertise, and care.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
