West Carson

West Carson is a jam-packed section of Los Angeles County, filled with both a solid variety of homes and an array of amenities. This neighborhood’s location is its most prominent asset. “The biggest attractions, I would say, are your location to freeways, to shopping and to hospitals,” says local Realtor Roger Hart of Forecast Realty, Inc. “It covers all ranges of people.”

Most of the single-family homes here date to the mid-20th century. These houses mainly come in the Spanish Revival, ranch and bungalow styles, giving the neighborhood a somewhat cohesive look. These properties have floor plans of 1,000 to 3,000 square feet and stand on lots between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet. That’s enough for a bit of front and back lawn space, and maybe even an in-ground pool in the backyard.

Sidewalks line most of the streets in West Carson, adding an element of walkability. Some townhomes, condos and mobile homes supplement the traditional single-family residences in West Carson. Most of the options in this neighborhood sell for prices that range from the $700,000s to the $800,000s. A lot of the residents who get into this community tend to stay. “Some of the neighborhoods have very little turnover,” Hart says. “You have families that have lived there for generations.”

Schools are high on the list of convenient amenities in and near West Carson. They may go to one of three elementary schools in the area depending on their address, including Van Deene Avenue, Meyler Street and President Avenue. Both Meyler Street and President Avenue elementary schools have dual-language programs in Spanish and English, and Van Deene boasts a B overall rating on Niche, including an A- grade for its teachers.

From these schools, students can progress to either Alexander Fleming Middle or Stephen M. White Middle. Both of these institutions feature magnet programs focused on STEAM instruction and are well-rated earning overall Niche ratings of B- and B, respectively. All students here can attend Nathaniel Narbonne Senior High. Among Narbonne’s offerings is the Public Service Academy, which can help students prepare for possible careers in fields like law and business.

A couple of thoroughfares cut through West Carson, providing residents with quick access to restaurants and other businesses within a reasonable walking distance. Along prominent West Carson Street, you'll discover spots like Los Chilaquiles Mexican Grill, which specializes in its namesake chilaquiles, a dish made of fried pieces of tortilla, salsa, cheese and more. Order a cup of Café de olla, Mexican spiced coffee, to go along with it. Complete your breakfast with a doughnut or two from C&C Donuts just down the street.

If you’d rather make your own meal, you can do grocery shopping at the Numero Uno on West Carson Street or the Smart & Final on Vermont Avenue. Take care of retail needs just 5 miles away at the adjacent Rolling Hills Plaza and Torrance Towne Center, which include options ranging from a Nike Factory Store to a Bed Bath & Beyond. The 110 and 405 freeways are close by as well, for those who need to travel farther.

West Carson Street is home to the expansive Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, which sits on a 72-acre campus and has some 570 beds. The medical center includes a wide range of programs, including anesthesiology, emergency medicine, neurology and obstetrics.

Residents here have a new recreation destination on the way, the almost 9-acre Wishing Tree Park. This facility is set to feature a basketball court and a couple of futsal courts, plus a baseball diamond, a playground and outdoor exercise equipment. Adventure seekers can visit the skate parks at the nearby Normandale and Harbor City recreation centers.

West Carson is a neighborhood that seemingly has a little bit of everything. It’s a quality that helps make it a landing spot for many — and maybe for you, too.

Written By

Wayne Epps Jr.

Photography Contributed By

Joseph Palacios

Video By

Adam Lapallo