History

The territory covered today by the city of Manhattan Beach was formerly a part of the 10-mile Rancho Sausal Redondo land grant. One of the land’s earliest owners, George Peck, named the northern section of the area, “Shore Acres.” In 1901, the southern portion of the Rancho was purchased by New Yorker John Merrill, who renamed the area after his home borough, Manhattan. A coin flip decided that the latter would be the city’s name. Upon the insistence of the postmaster, the word “Beach” was added to prevent confusion with the other Manhattan in New York City. Formerly comprising vast expanses of sand dunes, the city began to take shape after the first downtown building and two wooden piers were built in 1901. Manhattan Beach officially became a city in 1912.Following the events of World War II, Manhattan Beach welcomed the influx of people looking for homes. The defense industry was one of the primary catalysts for the growth of this city’s population.
 

Real Estate and Property Types

The selection of Manhattan Beach homes for sale is broad and varied. Start your search for the best residence to suit your needs from this list of top Manhattan Beach neighborhoods:

• Sand Section
  The premier neighborhood in the city features beachfront homes with residents just a few blocks removed from the coastline.

• Tree Section
  Luxury estates on large, spacious lots are the staple in this leafy portion of Manhattan Beach.

• Hill Section
  Featuring high-priced homes ideal for Greater LA’s most affluent, residences here are located on hills that present mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean.
   

Living in Manhattan Beach, CA

The Manhattan Beach lifestyle is best described as a mix of laid back and luxury. Living here is like being on vacation all year round, thanks to the pleasant and consistent South Bay weather, access to long stretches of Pacific Ocean shore lines, and lively commercial, recreational, and entertainment centers.

For families residing in Manhattan Beach, the educational needs of their children are covered by the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Operating five primary schools, one middle school, and one high school, the district maintains strong performance ratings that place it among the top three public school districts in California.

Among the notable local highlights in the city are:

• Downtown Manhattan Beach
  The pedestrian-friendly heart of the city is home to memorable shopping and dining stops.

• The Annual Hometown Fair
  The local annual festival is held at Live Oak Park, featuring food, drinks, games, booths, and live entertainment to raise funds for local causes.

• Polliwog Park
  The city’s largest and most popular park features a small lake, an open-air amphitheater, and several play and picnic areas.

• The Manhattan Beach 6-Man Tournament
  Hailed by its loving fans as “the best volleyball tournament on Earth,” the Manhattan Beach 6-Man happens alongside the annual International Surf Festival.
  
  Find your exceptional Manhattan Beach home by contacting Steve Thorn today.
  Call now at 310-406-5896 or email Steve@SteveThornHomes.com.