Manhattan Beach, California: Difference between revisions

| map_caption = Location of Manhattan Beach in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], [[California]]

| government_type = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]

| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]

| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs

'''Manhattan Beach''' is a city in southwestern [[Los Angeles County, California]], United States, on the [[PacificCoastal OceanCalifornia|Pacific coast]] coast south of [[El Segundo, California|El Segundo]], west of [[Hawthorne, California|Hawthorne]] and [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]], and north of [[Hermosa Beach, California|Hermosa Beach]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 35,506.<ref name="quif" />

Together with [[Hermosa Beach, California|Hermosa Beach]] and [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]], it forms the three [[Beach Cities]] within the [[South Bay (Los Angeles County)|South Bay]] region of Los Angeles County. The community is known for a long beach stretching approximately {{convert|2.1|mi}} and roughly {{convert|450|ft}} wide. The climate is moderate because of Manhattan Beach's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, with an average year-round high temperature of {{convert|69.1|F}} and an average year-round low of {{convert|56.4|F}}.

The sandy coastal area was likely inhabited by the [[Tongva]] tribe of Native Americans. Archeological work in the nearby [[Chowigna, California|Chowigna]] excavation show evidence of inhabitants as far back as 7,100 years ago. The Tongva Village of Ongovanga was located near neighbouringneighboring [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-tongva-map/ |title=Mapping the Tongva villages of L.A.'s past |first1=Sean |last1=Greene |first2=Thomas |last2=Curwen |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2020 |url-access=limited }}</ref>

In the mid-18th century, the [[Portolá expedition]] was the first European land exploration of present-day California. It traveled north from San Diego to the San Gabriel Valley, [[Los Angeles Basin]], San Fernando Valley, Monterey Bay, and San Francisco Bay. In 1784, the [[Charles III of Spain|Spanish Crown]] deeded [[Rancho San Pedro]], a tract of over {{convert|75,000|acre|km2}}, to soldier Juan José Domínguez. It included what is today the entire [[Port of Los Angeles]]; [[San Pedro, Los Angeles]]; [[Harbor City, Los Angeles]]; [[Wilmington, Los Angeles]]; [[Carson, California|Carson]]; [[Compton, California|Compton]]; the [[Dominguez Hills (mountain range)|Dominguez Hills]]; [[Lomita, California|Lomita]]; the [[Palos Verdes Peninsula]]; [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]]; [[Hermosa Beach, California|Hermosa Beach]]; Manhattan Beach; and [[Torrance, California|Torrance]].

In 1863, a Scottish immigrant, Sir Robert Burnett, purchased [[Rancho Sausal Redondo]] and [[Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela]] from [[Cornelio Avila#Antonio Ygnacio Avila|Avila]]'s heirs for $33,000. Ten years later in 1873, Burnett leased the ranch to a Canadian, Daniel Freeman (not the American [[Daniel Freeman|of the same name]], who was the first to file a claim under the [[Homestead Act]] of 1862). Burnett returned to Scotland. Freeman moved his wife and three children onto the ranch and started growing various crops. On May 4, 1885, Freeman bought the ranch from Burnett for $140,000. At some point after this the location was informally called "Shore Acres." Shortly thereafter, in 1888 the area's first freight and passenger railroad tracks were built by the Santa Fe Railroad company. The tracks ran through today’s Manhattan Beach and spanned all the way to Redondo Beach with a substation constructed in later years at Center Street, which today is Manhattan Beach Boulevard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brianpetruzzelli.com/history-of-manhattan-beach-california/|title=The History of Manhattan Beach|date=November 8, 2022 |access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>

[[George H. Peck (1856-1940)|George H. Peck]] owned the land that became part of the north section of Manhattan Beach. A coin flip decided the town's name. Around 1902, the beach suburb was named "Manhattan" after developer Stewart Merrill's home, the [[New York City]] borough of [[Manhattan]].<ref name=":0" /> "Beach" was appended to the city's name, in 1927, at the behest of the postmaster.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Capsule History of Manhattan Beach, 1912 - 1975|author=Judson Grenier|url=http://manhattanbeachhistorical.org/history/|access-date=December 27, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704101548/https://manhattanbeachhistorical.org/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Incorporation of the City of Manhattan Beach won in a vote held on November 26, 1912.<ref name= togs>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/380219491/ Manhattan Beach Dons New Municipal Togs]". ''The Los Angeles Times''. November 27, 1912. p. 26.</ref> {{citation needed span |text=Peck himself was opposed to incorporation. |date=August 2023}}

Mrs. W. A. Bruce, a landowner of property near the coast, created the first beach resort for Black Americans in Southern California, [[Bruce's Beach|Bruce's Beach]].<ref name= meets-with>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/380258227/ Colored People's Resort Meets with Opposition]". ''The Los Angeles Times''. June 27, 1912. p. 16.</ref>{{r|KCET}} Bruce set up a small portable cottage with a stand in front where soda and lunches were sold.<ref name= meets-with/> There were two dressing tents with showers, and fifty bathing suits were available for rent.<ref name= meets-with/> Peck's land was located between Bruce's land and the beach itself, and Bruce erected "no tresspassingtrespassing signs" on his land, which required beachgoers to walk a half-mile around his land in order to go to the beach.<ref name= meets-with/> Many beachgoers did so, which made the nearby white landowners unhappy.<ref name= meets-with/> In the 1920s, the [[Ku Klux Klan]] began violently harassing the resort's visitors, the Bruce family, and four other Black families that bought lots. In 1924, the city used [[Eminent domain in the United States|eminent domain]] to seize the land from the Black property owners under the pretense of building a park.<ref name=fights>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/692881690/ Bruce's Beach Fights Condemnation]". ''California Eagle''. December 26, 1924. p. 1.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Resort Was an Oasis for Blacks Until Racism Drove Them Out|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jul-21-me-then21-story.html|date= July 21, 2002 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=May 16, 2020 }}</ref><ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/866713730/ Attempt Made to Force Sale of Cal. Beach]". ''The New Era'' (Omaha, Nebraska). January 16, 1925. p. 1.</ref> Bruce's attorney noted that there was a lot of vacant property located on both sides of Bruce's Beach that could have been used for a public park, and that the city's insistence in seizing Bruce's property was a ruse to carry out the city's racist objection to Black people using the public beach.<ref name=fights/> In 2021, California Governor [[Gavin Newsom]], orderedsigned bylegislation lawauthorizing tothe begintransferring proceduresof forthe immediateproperty restitutionto descendants of propertythe family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xia |first=Rosanna |date=2021-09-30 |title=Bruce’s Beach can return to descendants of theBlack family in landmark move signed by Newsom |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-30/newsom-signs-law-to-return-bruces-beach-black-family |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Bruces Beach, espropriata alla famiglia afroamericana, torna agli eredi 109 anni dopo|url=https://luce.lanazione.it/bruces-beach-espropriata-alla-famiglia-afroamericana-torna-agli-eredi-109-anni-dopo/|date=October 3, 2021|newspaper=La Nazione|language=it|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref>

The land in Manhattan Beach was formerly sand dunes. During the 1920s and 1930s, Kuhn Brothers Construction Company leveled uneven sandy sites and some excess sand was sold and shipped to [[Waikiki|Waikiki, Hawaii]], to convert their reef and rock beach into a sandy beach.<ref name="HM 2009-02-20">{{Cite magazine|last=Bailey|first=Chris|date=February 20, 2009|title=Where's the beach? Seeking the origins of Waikiki sand.|url=https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/wheres-the-beach-seeking-the-origins-of-waikiki-sand/|access-date=June 21, 2021|magazine=Hawaii Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> The sand was also used to build the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|Los Angeles Coliseum]] and portions of the [[Pacific Coast Highway (California)|Pacific Coast Highway]].{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

The [[McMartin preschool trial]]s, allegedly an example of [[day care sex abuse hysteria]], started with investigations of a Manhattan Beach preschool in 1983. The trials ran from 1987 to 1990 and resulted in no convictions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/10/30/13413864/satanic-panic-ritual-abuse-history-explained|title=The history of Satanic Panic in the US — and why it's not over yet|last=Romano|first=Aja|date=October 30, 2016|work=Vox|language=en|access-date=November 25, 2019}}</ref> [[HBO]] dramatized this case in the [[Emmy]]-winning ''[[Indictment: The McMartin Trial]]'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/indictment-mcmartin-trial |title = Indictment: The McMartin Trial}}</ref> which was partially filmed in Manhattan Beach.<ref name=I95>{{cite AV media |title=Indictment: The McMartin Trial |year=1995 |people=Jackson, Mick (Director} |medium=docudrama |publisher=HBO}}</ref><ref name=imdb>{{IMDb title|0113421qid=Q1962727|title=Indictment: The McMartin Trial}}</ref>

The beach is approximately 2.1 miles long and 400 feet wide. In the early part of the last century, the beach was narrow (approximately 150 feet) and sloping. From 1938 to 1989, it more than doubled in width when large quantities of sand were placed on beaches to the north during construction of the [[Hyperion sewage treatment plant|Hyperion Treatment Plant]], [[Marina del Rey, California|Marina del Rey]], and Scattergood Power Plant. The sand was carried southward by the ocean's natural littoral flow and widened Manhattan Beach.<ref>Reppucci, George M. "Manhattan Beach California: Width determination from a century of images"; Shore and Beach, Vol 80, No.4, Fall 2012.</ref>

Every August, the city hosts the [[Manhattan Beach Open]] Volleyballvolleyball Tournamenttournament and the International Surf Festival.

The "Hill Section" is known for its high-priced homes; many of the residences are remodeled or newly constructed. The steep hills allow panoramic ocean and city views.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Spencer |date=March 3, 2024 |title=Exploring Manhattan Beach: The California Beach Town Still Riding A Real Estate Wave |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-global-properties/2024/03/03/exploring-manhattan-beach-the-california-beach-town-still-riding-a-real-estate-wave/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0645400|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715031149/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0645400|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Manhattan Beach city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Manhattan Beach had a population of 35,135. The population density was {{convert|8,914.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Manhattan Beach was 29,686 (84.5%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (79.3% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name=census1>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0645400.html|title=State & County QuickFacts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620134016/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0645400.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> 290 (0.8%) Black or African American (U.S. Census), 59 (0.2%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3,023 (8.6%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 49 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 409 (1.2%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1,619 (4.6%) from two or more races. There were 2,440 people of [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] origin, of any race were 2,440 persons (6.9%).

There were 14,038 households, out of which 4,735 (33.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 7,583 (54.0%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 892 (6.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 438 (3.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 695 (5.0%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 85 (0.6%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 3,627 households (25.8%) were made up of individuals, and 1,078 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50. There were 8,913 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (63.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.10.

TheThere population was spread out, withwere 8,725 people (24.8%) under the age of 18, 1,740 people (5.0%) aged 18 to 24, 9,532 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 10,681 people (30.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,457 people (12.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males. There were 14,929 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,787.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 9,420 (67.1%) were owner-occupied, and 4,618 (32.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 25,587 people (72.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,520 people (27.1%) lived in rental housing units.

The wide sandy beaches attract over 3.8 million visitors annually.<ref>Estimating the potential economic impacts of climate change on Southern California beaches; Climatic Change (2011) 109 (Suppl 1):S277–S298 DOI 10.1007/s10584-011-0309-0</ref> Beach volleyball, swimming, [[body boarding]] and [[surfing]] are popular activities among residents and visitors.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Skalij|first=Wally|date=August 23, 2021|title=Can you dig it? AVP takes over Manhattan Beach|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-08-23/can-you-dig-it-avp-takes-over-manhattan-beach|access-date=August 25, 2021|work=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Popular surf spots include the pier and El Porto, the northern end of the beach. Lifeguard stations are located along the entire length of the beach and the beach is cleaned and groomed daily by crews from LA County Beaches and Harbors Department. Along the Strand at the eastern edge of the beach, is a concrete [[Marvin Braude Bike Trail|bike path]] is reserved for bicycles. The bikeway extends north to Santa Monica and south to Torrance. A separate {{convert|2.1|mile|km|adj=on}} pedestrian walkway, reserved for pedestrians, runs alongside the bike path. Restrooms and shower facilities are provided adjacent to the Strand paths. An area known [[Veterans Parkway (Manhattan Beach, California)|Veteran's Parkway]] is a pedestrian walkway that runs adjacent to Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue near downtown Manhattan Beach. Nearly {{convert|20|acres}} and {{convert|3|mile}} long and extending into Hermosa Beach, the wood-chip walkway is a popular trail for runners and dog-walkers.

TherePolliwog arePark several public parks inis the city. The largest and most popular is Polliwog Parkpark. locatedLocated on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, two blocks west of Aviation Boulevard., Polliwog Park includes the [[Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden]], as well as a small lake, open-air concert amphitheater, playground equipment, picnic tables, restrooms, and a fenced dog exercise area. It is also the site of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society Red Cottage, which is home to the city's collection of historical artifacts. Marine Avenue Park, west of Aviation Boulevard on Marine, has several lighted ball fields, basketball courts, and an indoor racket ball facility. A small skate park was added to Marine Avenue Park in 2017 after a 16-year battle over its location.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.citymb.info/city-officials/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-facilities/marine-avenue-park|title=Marine Avenue Park {{!}} City of Manhattan Beach|website=www.citymb.info|language=en|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041715/http://www.citymb.info/city-officials/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-facilities/marine-avenue-park|archive-date=November 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Live Oak Park in the downtown area has ball fields, batting cages, playground equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, and picnic tables. Additionally, Begg pool offers comprehensive swimming programs year around for both adults and children including instruction, recreational swimming, water aerobics, and even a youth swim team and adult swim club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/visitors/parks-and-facilities|title=Parks and Facilities in Manhattan Beach}}</ref> [[Bruce's Beach]] (formerly Culiacan Park) is north of downtown.

The [[Beach Cities Health District]],<ref>[http://bchd.org Beach Cities Health District] Retrieved December 27, 2017.</ref> provides [[health]] and wellness services to the residents of [[Hermosa Beach, California|Hermosa Beach]], Manhattan Beach, and [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]]. It is funded partially by over $3 million annually from property taxes. The voters of the three beach cities elect the 5-member [[Board of Directors]] to 4-year terms. One of 78 California Health Districts,<ref>[[List of California Health Districts]]</ref> it was created in 1955 as South Bay Hospital which no longer exists and took on its current name in 1993. Beach Cities Health District is now focused on real estate development and opened AdventurePlex,<ref>[http://www.adventureplex.org/ AdventurePlex] Retrieved December 27, 2017.</ref> a Manhattan Beach fitness center for kids and their families, in 2002. Filled with [[mazes]], tunnels, outdoor [[rock climbing]] walls, complex [[ropes courses]], and an indoor [[gym]], AdventurePlex challenges children physically and intellectually in health-focused [[recreational activities]].

*''[[Point Break (1991 film)|Point Break]]'' (1991) In the movie, [[Keanu Reeves]] buys his [[surfboard]] from a shop located on the Manhattan Beach pier.

*The movie ''[[Mac & Devin Go to High School (film)|Mac & Devin Go to High School]]'' and scenes from the music video "[[Young, Wild & Free]]" by [[Snoop Dogg]] and [[Wiz Khalifa]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Snoop Dogg kicked off local school campus {{!}} ABC7 San Francisco {{!}} abc7news.com|url=https://abc7news.com/archive/8134381/|last=ABC7|website=ABC7 San Francisco|language=en|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>

*Manhattan Beach is mentioned in the song "[[Surfin' U.S.A. (song)|Surfin' U.S.A.]]" by [[the Beach Boys]]. Group members were from the adjacent city of [[Hawthorne, California|Hawthorne]].

|East = [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]]

|South = [[Hermosa Beach, California|Hermosa Beach]]