Manhattan Beach vs Redondo Beach

Median prices: Redfin Data Center, zip codes 90266 and 90277, March to May 2026. Zip codes don't match neighborhood borders exactly.

The homes

Manhattan Beach goes by sections. The Sand Section, closest to the ocean, sits on narrow lots on the slope above the beach, some on car-free lanes where front doors open onto a garden path. The original beach cottages have largely been replaced by modern and Cape Cod-style rebuilds, many three stories with roof decks for the view, and Strand homes face the beach path directly. Inland, the Tree Section has bigger lots on leafy streets, the Hill Section holds view homes on sloping streets, and East Manhattan adds mid-century homes, townhomes and condos.

Redondo Beach has two distinct halves. South Redondo runs from the harbor to the Palos Verdes border, with beachfront and ocean-view condos, many from the 1960s through the 1980s, plus townhomes and houses on streets climbing up from the Esplanade. Around Riviera Village, homes range from older cottages and ranch houses to large new builds. North Redondo, inland, has newer townhomes and small-lot detached homes, often built where single houses once stood, along with ranch houses and condos.

Prices

The price figures on this page use 90266, which covers Manhattan Beach, and 90277 for Redondo, which covers South Redondo near the beach. North Redondo, in 90278, isn't reflected here and generally offers more space per dollar than the beach side. In Manhattan Beach, the section, lot size and ocean view drive prices. In Redondo, the gap between condos and houses is the main thing to watch, so compare similar homes.

The feel

Manhattan Beach orients around its 1920 concrete pier, with the little Roundhouse Aquarium at the end. The Strand runs along the sand with a pedestrian path and a separate bike path, downtown packs a few compact blocks of restaurants, coffee, boutiques and surf shops just up from the pier, and Manhattan Village covers errands. Sand Dune Park and Polliwog Park add character inland.

Redondo Beach has a working waterfront. King Harbor has marinas, sportfishing boats, fish markets and Seaside Lagoon, and the horseshoe pier is still the center of town. Riviera Village, near the south end, has blocks of restaurants and boutiques, and the Esplanade runs along the bluff above the beach with long views up the coast.

Getting around

Manhattan Beach is the closer of the two to LAX, often 10 to 20 minutes outside rush hour, with the Westside often 25 to 40. Sepulveda and the 405 run north and south, and the Metro K Line has stations a short drive east, including Douglas. From Redondo, LAX is often 15 to 25 minutes and the Westside 35 to 50. The K Line ends at the Redondo Beach (Marine) station in North Redondo, while South Redondo sits farther from the freeway, so test any regular commute. Beach parking in both fills up fast on summer weekends.

City and rules

Both are independent cities, so permits, zoning and building rules go through the City of Manhattan Beach or the City of Redondo Beach, not the City of LA. Much of Manhattan's Sand Section and homes near the water in Redondo may sit in the California Coastal Zone, which can add review time. On Manhattan's narrow lots, check parking, alley access and shared walls. For Redondo's older beachfront condos, review HOA budgets, reserves and any planned assessments. Transfer taxes and fees vary by city, so verify current rates before you close.

Weather

Both get classic South Bay beach weather: ocean breezes, a morning marine layer that often burns off by afternoon, and mild temperatures most of the year. Homes a few blocks inland can run a little warmer on summer afternoons than those right on the sand.