Denise X. Lavell

We moved to Manhattan Beach in 1963 and in my many travels I have yet to find a better place to live. I went through the Manhattan Beach school system as did both of my daughters, have been actively involved in the PTSA at both the middle school and high school levels and continue to participate on a certain level. I can report first hand that while not issue free, the education and the care of educators will rarely be surpassed. Student test scores in all five (5) elementary schools, Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School are consistently the top in California and the country. In addition to formal education, the district provides a terrific After School Enrichment Program offering a wide variety of activities and subjects.

Much of what was while I was growing up has changed or is gone completely, but there are still many of those original pieces in place. Becker's Bakery for cookies and cakes (sugar surfboard cookies and jumbo oatmeal are my favorite), Ercole's (where everybody knows your name) for a drink, a burger or a game of pool, the railroad tracks are now the green belt, a terrific place to run aside from The Strand) and El Sombrero whose location has changed over the years but still never disappoints! The sunsets of today are as spectacular as those of yesterday. With progress has come great dining in a variety of restaurants, shopping at trendy boutiques, and something hot in the many coffee houses.

The community and our weather lend themselves to an outdoor life style of beach volleyball, bike rides, skating, surfing, swimming, walking, running and just plain laying on the sand. There is almost Never a day when there is not an opportunity to get out and do Something -- thus the No Bad Days at the Beach!! And for the children in the community in addition to participating in singular sports, there are clubs for volleyball, soccer, baseball (and league) and swimming. Opening day for Little League is a parade through downtown Manhattan Beach and for me the most small town feeling day of the year. Additionally, the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair will celebrate its 41st year and I can tell you that I have been to all but one (the year my eldest daughter was born). Food, games, arts and crafts along with a chance to visit with friends it is a weekend of music fun for everyone.

There are several distinct neighborhoods in Manhattan Beach each of which has its own personality and each serviced by one of the five elementary schools (with exception of Sand Section which has an elementary school servicing the south end and another servicing the north end). Median home price at this time hovers around $1.4M.