Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach- Becoming the most famous small town in the world. Sports has brought athletes to the community. Now, they are moving here from every sport! The weather allows families to enjoy year round outdoor activity. The older homes are being replaced by the latest greatest ones and Plantation style is winning the prize. Hot Volleyball, cool water, a town for athletic people, young or not so young- everyone is out walking, riding or running by this is the place to BE. Be yourself, be fun, be free! Home prices have continued to rise but the community has town-homes that compare in price to plantations in other states. Its still possible to find a community to find something affordable but each year its farther from the water.

North Hermosa Beach Sand Section is a Family Treasure
Living with school age children in North Hermosa Sand section is a dream lifestyle. Our little Pocket of community would not live anywhere else, once they find it. Our family bought in 1960 and more family in 1985 and more in 2004. Three generations of our family are living in homes within a block from the water now. Many of our neighbors are like that too, generations of family, a mixture of family living in the family home, or purchased when something comes up near where they grew up. We lived 8 houses away from grandmother. It's like living as close to the Hawaii lifestyle but with a great city nearby. Weekends people don't want to leave, we are where people want to vacation.

Hermosa Valley and View schools have teachers and staff that amaze me. The parent and student portal keeps us aware of grades and homework. Our high school choice is Mira Costa or Redondo Union High. Parks and Recreation community center is bustling with activity for every age, with sports, theater groups, and art classes. History is preserved right there in the Historical Society very well and worth a visit. Hermosa Valley Park has something for every age, or party, trees for climbing, picnic and grill stations, hills to run around in, Basketball area, soccer or field sports.

When we turn right on Artesia off Pacific Coast Highway it is a thrill to see the magnificent Ocean. Our community loves the sunsets. We get excited when whales spout like shooting fire hydrants, or dolphin groups leap lazily along. Our kids go to the Green Store for a treat or Marthas for breakfast of lunch. They play on the swings or getting older get to walk or bike or razor or skateboard to the Pier. They play tennis, have the skateboard park or are in local plays in our Community Center on Pier. Summers are the best with surf lessons and ocean safety. We see our neighbors in beach chairs lined up along the water, surfing or out on Paddleboards. In winter it gets quieter and residents enjoy the seasonal change of open beaches and smell of fireplaces as we walk.

Our streets have one hour parking permits March 15th through summer if really close to the water. Walking along the strand is absolutely what we do. Circling the blocks with our dogs, talking to neighbors, and watching sunsets is a ritual. Walk out on our Pier, shop local and discover what we have.

Hermosa has a mixture of beach homes and mansions. We sadly miss every beach house torn down. Land is expensive in all the beach cities in varying degrees. There is some sticker shock to people who first want to move here. The South Bay homes held their value very well along the bumpy Real Estate market down and up turns. Right now there is very little inventory. People who have bought and sold with me have said they want to live north of 10th or Pier and West of Valley Drive. One review about Hermosa says it has apartments. Every city has some and that is misleading to Hermosa as a whole. In our 1.5 square miles most of the apartments are along the South border of the Sand section. That is where young professionals new to the area can find a first place to lease and have their dog or cat. Then they learn the area and many move up to a purchase. Young people love moving here for the water, volleyball, bike and lifestyle.

Stuff Happens; like neighbor communities homeowners are drawing a line in the sand to defend the beaches from Oil drilling and Power Plants. Defending that stance since 1958, Hermosa Beach voted No to oil drilling. When an Earthquake in Santa Monica and Culver City struck Hermosa Beach rolled along in the sand and only lost our power for a day. Our community got even closer. My husband took flashlights over and checked on the two neighbors that are widowed. Neighbors do know neighbors. We miss the Bijou Theatre, the Either or Bookstore and Taco Bills. Everyone loves the Pier curve and upgraded landscape. Its fun to enjoy the established and new restaurants. Times change things, and now there are enough entertainment spots. Some get it right and stay and some go away. We enjoy Hermosa Beach and treasure each sunny day!

Hermosa Beach is a beach community in the South Bay of Los Angeles, bordered on the north and south by Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. The city consists of 1.3 square miles and has a very interesting history.

People live in Hermosa Beach for the seaside beach lifestyle. The fact is, it is just plain fun to live here. Besides the great beach, there is so much to do here, particularly with the many great restaurants here and in nearby Manhattan Beach. For those with kids, the schools are also very good.

Neighborhoods:

Sand Section: This neighborhood is adjacent to the ocean and is bordered by Herondo Street on the north (the northern boundary of the city adjacent to Manhattan Beach), Valley Drive to the East, and the southern border of the city. The area to the west of Hermosa Avenue is particularly desireable, and has alternating streets either open to traffic or closed to traffic (known as walk streets). The beachfront properties are adjacent to the Strand, a promenade that runs the length of the city's beachfront. There are three parks in this area, South Park, Cypress Park and Valley Park, all on the western side of Valley Drive.

Valley Section: This neighborhood is bordered by Valley Drive to the West, Pacific Coast Highway to the east, and the northern and southern borders of the city. This area is primarily hilly in terrain.

Hermosa East: This neighborhood is bordered by Pacific Coast Highway to the west, Prospect Avenue to the east, Artesia Boulevard to the north, and Anita to the south.This area has flatter terrain, and since it is furthest from the beach, the home prices here tend to be lower than the other two areas of Hermosa Beach.

Entertainment & Culture:

Hermosa Beach is home to the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, a 502 seat venue for local stage theatre. The theater is used for professional theatrical productions, amateur ventures, community theater groups, dance recitals, film premieres, as well as conferences and seminars. The Comedy and Magic Club is located on Hermosa Avenue and is part owned by Jay Leno, who performs there on a regular basis. There are numerous restaurants in the vicinity of the Hermosa Pier, several of which are on the Plaza area in front of the Pier, which is closed to traffic

Schools:

The Hermosa Beach City School District consists of only two elementary school sites, one for grades K-2 and the other for grades 3-8. High school students attend one of two high schools outside the city limits. High school students who reside in Hermosa Beach have the choice of which high school they may attend -- Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach or Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. This choice is guaranteed through legislation that was enacted in 1993 and will not change. These schools maintain very high test scores on state standardized tests.

Sports, Parks and Recreation:

The City has numerous small neighborhood parks, and a jogging/walking trail adjacent to Valley Drive constructed in a previous railroad right of way. Youth sports include little league baseball, AYSO soccer, basketball leagues, etc.

Property Taxes: The property tax rate for the fiscal year 2011-2012 is 1.037488% (computed by the standard 1.0% of the property's assessed valuation (in accordance with Proposition 13, a property's assessed valuation is the original purchase price, plus the cost of improvements, based on the value of permits pulled, plus an increase in valuation of 2% per year) plus additional tax rates for voted bonded indebtedness) plus direct assessments of approx. $200-$300 per parcel for such items as school parcel taxes, etc..