Manhattan Beach is a city located in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, USA. The population was 33,852 at the 2000 census. The city is on the Pacific Ocean coast, to the south of El Segundo, and to the north of Hermosa Beach. To the east are the cities of Hawthorne and Redondo Beach. It is one of the three Beach Cities in the South Bay.

History

Early history

The early history of Manhattan Beach is explained on the website of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.

Early development

In 1863, a Scottish immigrant, Sir Robert Burnett, purchased Rancho Sausal Redondo and Rancho Aguaje De Centinela from Avila's heirs for $33,000. Ten years later in 1873, Burnett leased the ranch to a Canadian, Daniel Freeman, and 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.

George H. Peck owned a lot of the land that became part of the north section of Manhattan Beach.

Geography

Manhattan Beach is located at (33.888980, -118.405357).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.8 km² (10.4 mi²). 10.2 km² (3.9 mi²) of it is land and 16.7 km² (6.4 mi²) of it (62.07%) is water. ] Manhattan Beach features 2.1 miles (3.4 km) of ocean frontage, 40 acres (162,000 m²) of recreational beach, and a total of 59 acres (239,000 m²) of parkland in 10 parks, 1 municipal golf course, and 1 parkway, the Valley/Ardmore "Greenbelt"

Residents divide the city into several distinct neighborhoods, including the Village, Sand Section, Hill Section, Tree Section, Gas Lamp Section, Manhattan Heights, East Manhattan Beach, Liberty Village, and North Manhattan Beach (formally known as El Porto until December 2007). The Hill Section is a higher priced locale where many of the residences are remodeled and situated on steep hills to afford panoramic ocean and Los Angeles views. The nearby Sand Section is notable for its dense development and higher rate of condominiums and multi-family properties. Most commercial activity whose clientèle are beach-oriented position their establishments here, sometimes within meters of private homes. One of its most highly trafficked streets, The Strand, features high-end Oceanfront properties. Desired by families for its close knit structure and with a substantially healthy financial background, the Tree Section is essentially a smaller Hill Section, minus the hills, of course, and with slightly smaller lots.

Liberty Village is located at the north-easternmost section of Manhattan Beach. It is characterized by World War II era housing that originally serviced the employees of the then dominant local defense contractors such as Lockheed, Northrop and Hughes. Since it is considered to be among the most desirable cities in Los Angeles, and the city zoning provides for relatively lenient dwelling-to-land coverage, much of Manhattan Beach's housing stock has been remodeled from small single family houses into larger houses ranging to on lots approximating .

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 33,854 people, 14,474 households, and 8,394 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,325.8/km² (8,606.7/mi²). There were 15,034 housing units at an average density of 1,477.0/km² (3,822.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.99% White, 0.61% African American, 0.21% Native American, 6.04% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.19% of the population.

There were 14,474 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 37.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $100,750, and the median income for a family was $122,686.36. Males had a median income of $84,256 versus $54,142 for females. The per capita income for the city was $61,136. About 2.0% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

In February 2006 sales of Manhattan Beach homes produced a median price of $1,925,000 In its Best Places to Live 2005 feature, Money Magazine ranked Manhattan Beach the 4th most expensive town in America Additionally, in 2005 it ranked 2nd in California for the number of million-dollar homes sold Forbes has also ranked the local ZIP code 90266 as the 29th most expensive ZIP code. ŭ

Politics

Local Government

State Government

In the California State Senate, Manhattan Beach is located in the 28th District. The current State Senator from the District is Democrat Jenny Oropeza.

In the California State Assembly, Manhattan Beach is located in 53rd District. The current State Assemblyman from the District is Democrat Ted Lieu.

Federal Government

The residents of the City of Manhattan Beach are represented in Unisted States Congress by the two United States Senators and one United States Representative.

In the United States Senate, Manhattan Beach is represented by the Senators who are elected at large in the State of California. The current United States Senators from California are Democrat Dianne Feinstein and Democrat Barbara Boxer.

In the United States House of Representatives, Manhattan Beach is located in California's 36th congressional district. The current United States Representative is Democrat Jane Harman.

Political Registration

According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, the 36th Congressional District, which includes Manhattan Beach, has a Partisan Voting Index of D+11.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Public education in Manhattan Beach is provided by the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, which oversees 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The district is also assisted by non-profit organizations the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and a Parent-Teacher Association for each school.

The district as a whole received a score of 906 on the 2006 California Academic Performance Index, making it California's 5th best performing district. Each individual school also ranks at the top of its respective category :

Under policy of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, residents who live in northern Redondo Beach may not attend schools within the MBUSD. As of Fall 2006, North Redondo Beach residents living in the 90278 zip code will be allowed to attend Mira Costa.

See also: McMartin preschool trial, Aviation High School (1957-1982).

Private schools

Media

Trivia

• Scenes from the 1983 Taylor Hackford film Against All Odds were filmed along the boardwalk and beach.
• Filming Location for Weeds.
• Quentin Tarantino worked at a video rental store in Manhattan Beach before becoming a director.
• Establishing shots of the tv show Hannah Montana are filmed at Mira Costa High School.
• The Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail was invented in the 1960s in El Porto at the current location of Sharkeez bar and grill.
• Film location of Starsky and Hutch (2004). In the movie, Starsky (Ben Stiller), can be seen stretching under the pier.
• Film location of Jerry Maguire (1996). In the movie, Dorothy's (Rene Zellwegger) house is in the Tree Section.
• Film location of Tequila Sunrise (1988). Mel Gibson's character lives on the beach near the pier.
• The name of present day Manhattan Beach was decided by a coin-flip in 1902 between George Peck (who branded his property Manhattan after his hometown in New York) and John Merrell (who named his property Shore Acres)
• Manhattan Beach has been nicknamed the "Pearl of the South Bay" for its beauty and desirability. The city motto, though seldom referenced, is "Progressius, Progressius, Progressius."
• Much of the sand on Waikīkī Beach was purchased by developers from Hawaii in the late 1920s, who negotiated a deal with the Kuhn Brothers Construction Company to ship the city's sand across the Pacific from Manhattan Beach to Waikiki Beach for over 10 years. The only remaining sand that resembles Manhattan Beach's original landscape can be found at Sand Dune Park.
• Home to the filming of some of The CW/Ex-UPN series Veronica Mars
• Home to the filming of such fictional shows as the Fox Network series The O.C. and the CBS series *Film and real life location of George Jung of Blow fame.
• Was home to the Metlox Pottery company, and now has a shopping and restaurant plaza built on the old factory site.
• The AVP tournament in Manhattan Beach is known as "The Wimbledon of Beach Volleyball." The names of the tournament champions are inscribed in plaques along Manhattan Beach Pier. This event usually takes place in August and is aired on NBC.
• Mentioned in the Beach Boys' song "Surfin' USA."

Notable residents: past and present

Present

Business

Entertainment industry

• Jeremy Buttke: Creator, The 10 Minute Climax and award winner for Smack That
• Brad Bird: Creator, The Incredibles and Oscar winner for Ratatouille
• Leland Chapman: Part time resident and student of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Hermosa Beach, CA, son of famed bounty hunter and sex icon Duane "Dog" Chapman better known as "Dog the Bounty Hunter"
• Phil Morris: Actor, best known for his role as Jackie Chiles from Seinfield.
• Dave Coulier: Uncle Joey in TV's Full House.
• Johnny Depp: Actor,Chocolat, Blow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Don Dokken: Founder and lead singer of 80's Heavy metal band Dokken.
• Jane Elliot: Actress, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives
• Bill Engvall: Comedian with the Blue Collar Comedy group
• Matthew Fox: Actor Lost and Party of Five.
• C. Thomas Howell: Ponyboy Curtis in The Outsiders (film)
• Rachel Hunter: Supermodel and "Stacey's Mom" in Fountains of Wayne Video.
• Neal Israel: Director of Surf Ninjas and nationally ranked falconer.
• Kevin James: Actor on the sitcom King of Queens
• Wally Kurth: Actor, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives
• Jim Lindberg: Singer of the South Bay Punk Rock Band Pennywise.
• Ben McKenzie: Actor, The O.C.
• Terence Michael: Producer: Eric Schaeffer movies, Reality TV shows Shooting Sizemore
• Mike Mignola: Creator of Hellboy
• Marisa Miller: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover page model.
• Kevin Nealon: Actor/Comedian from Saturday Night Live fame
• Ryan Newman: Actor in the movie Zoom starring Tim Allen.
• Liz Phair: Singer/songwriter and guitarist
• Teri Polo: Actress, Pam in Meet the Parents
• Tara Reid: Actress
• J. D. Roth: Host of the Reality TV show Endurance
• Pat Sajak: Wheel of Fortune host.
• Max Thieriot: Actor, The Pacifier
• Owen Wilson: Actor, Wedding Crashers, Behind Enemy Lines

Journalists and Writers

• Richard Foss: Journalist and Science Fiction Writer
• John Ireland: KCAL and CBS Sports Reporter
• Mark Thompson: Weatherman for CW news
• Michele Tafoya :Correspondent for ESPN.
• Thomas Pynchon: Novelist

NBA

• Brian Cook: Power forward for the Orlando Magic
• Robbie Davis: Lakers team trainer.
• Devean George: Small forward for the Dallas Mavericks
• Shaun Livingston: Point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers
• Chris Mihm: Center for the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Lamar Odom: Small forward for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Michael Olowokandi: Center for the Boston Celtics
• Kurt Rambis: Former coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Zeljko Rebraca: Center for the Los Angeles Clippers
• Brian Shaw: former Point/Shooting guard in the NBA, now an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Luke Walton: Small forward for the Los Angeles Lakers

NFL

• Tim Brown: 1987 Hiesman winner and Oakland Raiders player.
• Jeff Garcia: Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tony Gonzalez: Tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs
• Don Mosebar: played for the Los Angeles Raiders for 13 years
• Michael Strahan: defensive end for the New York Giants
• Matt Leinart: Quarterback Arizona Cardinals

MLB

• Nomar Garciaparra: First baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers
• Jason Kendall: Catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Paul LoDuca: Catcher for the Washington Nationals.

MLS

• Bob Bradley: Head coach of the US Men's National Soccer Team
• Landon Donovan: Soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy, U.S. National Team forward
• Mia Hamm: former Soccer player
• Cobi Jones: Soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy

NHL

• Rob Blake: Defenseman for the Los Angeles Kings
• Marc Crawford: Head coach for the Los Angeles Kings
• Pavol Demitra: Forward for the Minnesota Wild
• Alexander Frolov: Hockey player for the Los Angeles Kings
• Tim Gleason: Defensman for the Carolina Hurricanes
• Ron Hextall: Former goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, current Assistant GM for the Los Angeles Kings
• Anze Kopitar: Center and Western Conference all-star on the Los Angeles Kings
• Glen Murray: Right Winger for the Boston Bruins
• Lubomir Visnovsky: Defensman for the Los Angeles Kings

Other athletes

• Pete Carroll:Head coach of the USC Trojans football team.
• Michelle Kwan: Champion figure skater and Olympian.
• Mike Lambert: Professional beach volleyball player.
• Holly McPeak: Professional beach volleyball player and Olympian.
• Stein Metzger: Professional beach volleyball player.
• Maria Sharapova: Professional tennis player also winner of three grand slams.
• Jeff Tarango: former Professional tennis player.
• Frederico Vega: Spanish Kickboxing legend, inspiration for Street Fighter Character, Vega (Street Fighter)

Past

• Greg Noll: Legendary Big wave surfer and creator of the Catalina Classic Paddle Crossing.
• Adrianne Curry: First winner of America's Next Top Model who appeared on My Fair Brady The Surreal Life and has been featured on the cover of Playboy twice,
• Christopher Knight: Actor, The Brady Bunch, The Surreal Life, and My Fair Brady
• Christian Bale: Actor Batman Begins
• Christian Beranek: Writer of the graphic novels Se7en and Dracula vs King Arthur
• Thomas P. Logan: Venture capitalist
• Jim Lovell: Mission commander of Apollo 13
• John Watson: Producer: Backdraft, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• Shaquille O'Neal: Former center for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Mark Andrew Smith: Writer of Amazing Joy Buzzards
• Anna Kanminski: Forward for the Los Angeles Sparks

Gallery

References

External links

• Manhattan Beach official website
• Manhattan Beach Historical Society
• Memorial plaque at Parque Culiacan in Manhattan Beach at the Sites of Memory webpage Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Map of original Rancho San Pedro, 1784, reflecting Rancho Sausal Redondo within its domain
• "Treasures" Episode 1. The Los Angeles Beach Bike Path