Manhattan Beach Tree Section

Where exactly is the Manhattan Beach Tree Section?  It’s bordered by Sepulveda Blvd (Hwy 1, not to be confused with Sepulveda Blvd in Torrance, CA) on the east, Rosecrans Ave on the north, Manhattan Beach Blvd on the south and the “Sand Section” on the west.  Adjacent to the Tree Section is the Manhattan Beach Hill Section.  Many buyers coming to Southern California find the Manhattan Beach Tree section ideally located for commuting reasons to the West Side, Century City and Downtown Los Angeles in addition to proximity to beach style living, restaurants and entertainment in “Man-Happenin’ Beach”

While the neighborhoods are filled with trees, this area of Manhattan Beach really got its name from the names of the streets… Pine, Walnut, Oak, Elm etc. There are ordinances in effect prohibiting homes owners from removing trees without a permit from the city.

Manhattan Beach Tree Section

When the area was first developed in the 40s, it was predominantly populated by aerospace employees and the homes were small post war bungalows.  Obviously since then, many of these homes on approx 40×110′ lots were torn down to develop the many luxury homes you see now in varying styles from Beach Plantation to Cape Code, Craftsman, and Mediterranean.

Don’t be surprised to see streets roped off for block parties during various holidays; this is a “family neighborhood” in a modern “Norman Rockwell” type of fashion.  We believe you will discover the Manhattan Beach Tree Section to be a great balance for work commuting, family and beach living.

Within the Tree Section there are several sub-sections that are both extremely popular and notable in their own right. American Martyrs is an example of one, and this area is popular for a multitude of reasons. It received its name for its proximity to the local Catholic church and private school, American Martyrs. There is a waiting list to get into the school, as it is a distinguished institution and thus, quite popular. Some of the more admired streets in this section are 15th Street through 18th Street as they offer something unique and hard to find: space. The lots in this section are typically 50 feet wide which not only allows one a little more distance from your neighbors but also allows more street parking and best of all, a very short walk to nearby Live Oak Park and the downtown district of Manhattan Beach. In some cases, these lots even offer a peak of an ocean view.  The Gaslight District is located near Marine Avenue (although, the Gaslight District can be found on the Realtors Sand Section map, it is located adjacent to the Tree section.) These streets are beautifully lined with original gas-burning lamps and lush trees. Many of the lots in this area are typically smaller; sometimes only 25 or 30 feet wide. However, what one loses in size, one gains in character. Prices in the Gaslight District hold up very well, and are priced similarly to the larger homes and lots nearby.  Lastly, streets like 12th and 13th Street sometimes are confused for Sand Section homes, even though they are properly part of the Tree Section. Homes here are built on smaller lots that average 30×90 and are closer to the downtown district, so they tend to be assumed as Sand Section homes, which is not a bad thing! Homes that border major roadways, such as Marine Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue tend to see a decline in pricing, which offers tremendous value for your money if you are a new Tree Section buyer. [Source Manhattan Beach Patch]

One of the keys to understanding the strength of the market such as the Manhattan Beach Tree Section, is to objectively study the number of months it’s taking to absorb existing supplies. This chart is “live”, in other words, each month it updates automatically, so feel welcome to visit as often as you wish.