$3,607,030Average Value$1,446Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Buzzy LA suburb with 2 miles of beachfront
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.
Written By
Amber Steinmetz-Cole
Photography Contributed By
Kalina Mondzholovska
Video By
Daniel Quattro
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Jones,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Manhattan Beach, CA sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Manhattan Beach, CA over the last 12 months is $1,669,000, down 67% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Perched on a high vantage point with a city and mountain view, this luxury residence offers a rare blend of architectural integrity, thoughtful updates, and that elusive sense of place that design-savvy buyers recognize the moment they walk in. From the Cape Cod–inspired exterior to the artful vintage details inside—refinished brick fireplaces, warm wood-beamed ceilings, and Deco-inspired
Live the Manhattan Beach dream!!! Nestled in the heart of the coveted Sand Section and just a short 10-minute stroll to the ocean. This 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom beach bungalow sits on a 3,005 sq ft lot and offers 831 sq ft of interior living space, bursting with potential.Zoned MNRM-D1, this property may offer future development possibilities such as expansion or multi-unit configuration.
Discover coastal charm in this stunning Cape Cod style home, ideally situated on a sought-after south-facing corner lot in Manhattan Beach. Spanning roughly 3,400 (btv) square feet, this inviting residence sits on a spacious 7,444 square foot lot, offering an abundance of room for both relaxation and entertainment.The home features 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, thoughtfully designed to blend
Coastal charm meets modern comfort in this light-filled 3 bed, 2.5 bath home nestled in the heart of the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach. Thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and relaxed entertaining, this home welcomes you with an airy living room featuring vaulted wood-beamed ceilings, rich hardwood floors, and a cozy wood burning fireplace, perfect for cool coastal evenings. The
Beautiful Traditional home A+ location in the Hill SectionThis home has a welcoming and charming curb appeal. The grassy entryway leads to the double front doors. When you enter the home there's lots of natural light, the kitchen has high end appliances, a butler walk in pantry, lots of cabinets great for storage, spacious countertops. An open concept family room which leads to a nice size
Welcome to this picture-perfect Coastal Traditional home, ideally located in the highly sought-after Tree Section of Manhattan Beach. From the moment you arrive, you're charmed by the storybook curb appeal—complete with a white picket fence—setting the tone for this beautifully remodeled 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence.Inside, natural light fills the formal living room with a cozy
Tracey NesicolaciVista Sotheby’s International Realty
The Windsor House is a. mid-century modern apartment complex in a prime area of Manhattan Beach located one mile from the beach, and right next to the bank, gym, restaurants, grocery store, beauty salons, coffee shops, spas, Mira Costa High school, private tutoring, churches, hotels, convenience stores, Fed Ex office Print & Ship center, medical care, park, and Skechers business park. We feature
Welcome home to the prestigious, security-gated neighborhood of Manhattan Beach Village. This beautiful, bright and clean 2-bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhouse has vaulted ceilings in the primary bedroom with a balcony and a large primary bathroom that features multiple closets for conveniently getting dressed after bathing. The second bedroom overlooks a gorgeous, peaceful outdoor pond and the second
2 BEDROOM UPSTAIRS UNIT AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER FIRSTVIEWING BY OPEN HOUSE ONLY - SATURDAYS 10AM-2PMNO PETSPacific Lanai is a beautiful, well-maintained, midcentury building located a few short blocks from the coast in Manhattan Beach CA.
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