Manhattan Beach: A History of Century of Sun, Sand,  and South Bay Living

Nestled in Los Angeles County's South Bay, Manhattan Beach has transformed from humble beginnings as sand dunes and railroad tracks to one of Southern California's most coveted coastal communities. This charming beach city, with its iconic pier and small-town feel, holds fascinating stories in every grain of sand.

The Early Days: From Railroad Stop to Resort Town

In 1901, John Merrill and George Peck saw potential in the vast expanse of sand dunes that would become Manhattan Beach. The land was purchased for just $12 an acre - starkly contrasting today's multi-million dollar property values. The city gets its name from developer Stewart Merrill's New York roots, though local legend suggests it was part of a coin flip with neighboring Redondo Beach.

The arrival of the Pacific Electric Railway's Red Car line in 1912 transformed the sleepy settlement into a weekend destination for Los Angelenos seeking respite from the city heat. The iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, built in 1920, quickly became the city's defining landmark.

Quirky Facts & Hidden History

• The city's first jail cell was actually a converted lifeguard tower.
• During Prohibition, the pier's roundhouse was a prime spot for rum-running operations.
• The modern beach volleyball movement was born here in the 1930s, and the city is still known as the "Beach Volleyball Capital of the World."
• The first surfboard shop in the continental U.S. opened in Manhattan Beach in 1949.
• Many scenes from the hit TV show "The O.C." were filmed along the Manhattan Beach strand

Real Estate & Rentals

The real estate market in Manhattan Beach has become one of the most expensive in Los Angeles County. As of early 2024:

• Median home price: approximately $3.2 million
• Average rental prices:
  • Studio apartments: $2,500-3,000/month
  • 1-bedroom apartments: $3,000-4,000/month
  • 2-bedroom apartments: $4,000-6,000/month
  • Beach-adjacent homes: $8,000-15,000/month

Shopping & Dining Scene

Downtown Manhattan Beach, centered around Manhattan Beach Boulevard, offers a curated mix of upscale boutiques and local favorites:

• Shops:
  • Pages: A beloved independent bookstore
  • Wright's: A local institution for beach gear since 1978
  • Manhattan Village: Recently renovated open-air shopping center
• Restaurants:
  • Manhattan Beach Post (M.B. Post): Chef David LeFevre's acclaimed restaurant
  • The Strand House: Oceanfront dining with panoramic views
  • Fishing With Dynamite: Award-winning seafood
  • Uncle Bill's Pancake House: A morning tradition since 1961

Community Life

What sets Manhattan Beach apart is its strong sense of community. Despite its affluent status, the city maintains a laid-back beach town atmosphere. Annual events like:

• The Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament (August)
• Holiday Fireworks Show (December)
• Hometown Fair (October)
• Pier Lighting and Open House  (November) unite residents and maintain the small-town feel.

Education

The city is known for its excellent public schools, with Manhattan Beach Unified School District consistently ranking among California's top districts. Mira Costa High School regularly sends graduates to prestigious universities nationwide.

Recreation & Lifestyle

The 2.1-mile-long beach remains the heart of community life. The Strand, a paved path along the coast, buzzes with joggers, cyclists, and strollers from dawn to dusk. Public courts and fields support active youth sports programs, while the beach hosts numerous volleyball courts used by everyone from casual players to Olympic athletes.

Looking Forward

As Manhattan Beach enters its second century, it faces modern challenges: balancing preservation with development, maintaining its community character amid increasing property values, and addressing climate change impacts on its coastline. Yet the city's commitment to environmental stewardship, seen in initiatives like the first-in-the-nation ban on single-use plastics, suggests a community ready to face these challenges while preserving its unique coastal charm.

Whether you're watching volleyball players spike and dig, surfers catching waves at El Porto, or the sun setting behind the pier, Manhattan Beach embodies the California dream - albeit at premium prices. It's a place where small-town charm meets coastal luxury and where the legacy of those early dunes lives in one of Los Angeles's most distinctive communities.

Image by JLC IMAGERY from Pixabay