By Keith Kyle
The answer to the question, “what’s so great about the Manhattan Beach sand section anyway?” can be summed up with 3 words……Location, location, location. The “sand” section of Manhattan Beach gets it’s name from the proximity to the beach. The area stretches from Hermosa Beach to the edge of Manhattan known as El Porto.
In this wonderful area you’re never far from the beach, often walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars, enjoy almost perfect weather, are treated to spectacular sunsets, and often have great ocean views. The biggest drawbacks to this area are the price and the limited space as land is at a premium and just about every inch of lot is taken up by homes. Gone are most of the beach bungalows that actually fit on the lot and most have been replaced by larger and larger homes as wide, deep and tall as they can possibly be. Some of the unique areas are the “walkstreets” in which the homes front a pedestrian only “street” which allows for less noise, no cars, and a much safer atmosphere and the lack of cars make views that much more impressive.
El Porto, the most northern area of the sand section, is the most affordable as many of the typical 30×90 foot lots were split and the smaller lots equal smaller homes equal smaller price tags. Without question the most sought after property in the sand section are the very rare and always impressive homes located beach front on “The Strand” These homes offer the high end luxury buyer endless and unblockable ocean views.