In 1888 Manhattan Beach was a pile of sand along the tracks the Santa Fe  RR laid to Redondo Beach. Our city got it's name when John Merrill and George Peck flipped a coin...  Merrill won and we became Manhattan Beach.   

By 1902 Merrill, Peck and Frank Daugherty were selling selling lots in the area for $350.00 with $50 down and payments of $10 per month.   Around 1909 eleven women formed a club called the Neptunian Woman's Club of Manhattan Beach.  These women not only started the first school and library in our town but rumor has it they pushed their husbands to incorporate the small beach community into a town in 1912.  

Manhattan Beach was almost entirely sand dunes.  The blowing sand caused huge problems for the residents. Sometime in the early 1920's  the developers who were building Waikiki in Honolulu went looking for sand to cover the rocky shoreline at Waikiki.   They checked out a lot of places along the coast and decided Manhattan Beach had the best quality sand.  A deal was struck and Kuhn Bros. Construction loaded the sand that was shipped on barges from San Pedro to Waikiki.   If you have strolled along the beach in Waikiki you have put your feet in sand from Manhattan Beach.

Manhattan Beach is the perfect location for people who want the Beachlifestyle but need to be within easy reach of Downtown LA, the Westside and LAX. Downtown Manhattan boasts many charming shops and restaurants.  While the names of places have changed over the years we still retain the charm of a small beach community. Our beaches are some of the best in Southern CA. They are perfect for a stroll along the water,
building a sand castle, body or board surfing or just relaxing in the sun with a good book

The Manhattan Beach Pier is one of the oldest original piers in Southern California. Although there have been upgrades to the Pier over the years it remains much as it was when it was first built over 100 years ago. The historic Roundhouse at the end of the Pier serves as a marine life lab. Further east in Pollywog Park the historical society has refurbished one of the original "Beach Bungalows" to give us all a reminder of our past. The park also features a pond that is the background to the "Concerts in the Park" every Sunday in the Summer.

Our city sponsors many activities that help maintain our sense of community. In the Spring and Summer  watch Beach Volleyball. Some of the best "pros" in the game got their start on the nets around the Pier. In early October The 10K run marks the start of the Home Town Fair. The Fair is a tradition that draws the whole community with crafts, food and games for the kids.  Each year at Christmas the Pier is decorated and a fireworks display is one of our first holiday festivities.

One of the biggest draws to our town is the Manhattan Beach "Blue Ribbon" Public School system. It is one of the best in California. Families in our area are fortunate to make their investment in a home instead of private school tuition. All of these factors have made Manhattan Beach a very desirable and place to live and work. 

     So take a stroll with me and view our lovely little  city by the sea....                

Location Characteristics: The perfect small town Beach location, yet close to major freeways and LAX. The weather is ideal and we always have an afternoon sea breeze even on the warmest days. It is a great place to live whether you are single, have a family or are retired. Approximate Location Boundaries: South of LAX along the Pacific Ocean. It is west of Redondo Beach( the 405 Fwy) and North of Hermosa Beach.... ZIP Code: 90266

For more articles on Manhattan Beach and the beach cities vistit  Beach City Real Estate Info and Kaye Thomas4Homes

All content copyright © 2007   Kaye Thomas