City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 90254
Small resort town on the Pacific, about five miles south of L.A. International Airport. Pretty. Well kept. Population 19,527. Crime low. School rankings high. www.mccormacks.com
Median age of residents is 34. Under 18 years, 12 percent. Over 55 years, 14 percent. Many young adults, few kids and elderly. Highest percentage of college grads of any city in county.
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Hermosa Beach runs about 15 blocks east to west and about 40 blocks north to south. The Pacific Coast Highway, also called PCH, runs down its middle. Residential units to the west of Pacific Coast Highway mix single homes with apartments, many of them with good views of the Pacific.
Beaches generally rise into small bluffs and these allowed builders to position homes and apartments to catch what everybody wants — a view of the sun sinking into the Pacific. Many of the units here are small and lend themselves to vacation rentals. Streets are narrow. Some homes are built along the Strand, the promenade that runs along the beach and extends into several other towns.
In the summer, the town is filled with college students and everyday visitors. The beach is flat, full of sand, miles long, ideal for sunbathing, volleyball and frisbee tossing. Restaurants, shops and supermarkets can be found along Pier Avenue and the Pacific Coast Highway. You dine, step out onto the Strand and pause while the sun makes its often glorious departure. In the winter, the colder waters still attract the tourists but not as many.
Eight hotels levy taxes that help the city fund activities and repairs. www.mccormacks.com
East of Pacific Coast Highway the hills rise into neighborhoods with middle-class tract homes.
Between 1940 and 1990, Hermosa Beach built between 1,000 to 2,000 units in every decade. Among owner-occupied units, two and three bedrooms run neck and neck. Most of the homes and apartments run to middle-class presentable. But a fair number of homes, especially those with ocean views, have custom touches.
The state in 2008 counted 9,884 housing units: 4,198 single homes, 1,053 single attached, 4,551 multiples, 82 mobiles. In the 1990s, Hermosa Beach built about 600 units. The city reports that renters outnumber homeowners, about 60 percent to 40.
One homicide in 2005, zero in 2004, one in 2003, zero between 2002 and 1997. Counts for previous years are 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0. Town has own police department. See Crime.
Hermosa Beach Elementary District (two schools) scores in the 90th percentile. In 2002, voters approved a bond, $14 million, to upgrade facilities and build a gym and multi-purpose room. In 2006, they rejected a second renovation bond. www.mccormacks.com
Teens have choice of Mira Costa High in Manhattan Beach District or Redondo High in Redondo Beach district. In 2000, voters in both districts approved renovation bonds. Mira Costa scores in the 95th percentile, Redondo High, about the 90th. See Schools.
Fishing pier, half-dozen parks, one a long, narrow greenbelt that extends into Manhattan Beach; another good hike. Skate park. Community Center. Library, playhouse, dance clubs, mix of restaurants, movies, beach and all it offers. Sunset concerts.
About 21 miles to downtown L.A. but many work in or near the L.A. airport, a 15-minute drive. Three miles to Interstate 405.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (310) 376-0951.
City web site: www.hermosabch.org
