Manhattan Beach is home to L.A.'s most exclusive mansions with jaw-dropping scenery. The neighborhood is known for being modern, trendy and high-end.

The southwest section of Los Angeles is home to a swath of middle and upper middle class communities that are close to or on the beach. They are generally not as flashy or as well known as Santa Monica or Malibu to the north but they are popular with many executives and tech types working in the nearby aerospace industry and, increasingly, entertainment people commuting to the Westside.

Flagship Neighborhood: Manhattan Beach

Crowds of fishermen still cast their lines over the sides of the Manhattan Beach pier to catch mackerel and perch. Nearby, grunts can still be heard as sun-baked volleyball players leap from the sand to spike the ball over the nets. But the Manhattan Beach of modest beach cottages and dark watering holes is pretty much a thing of the past. This town along Santa Monica Bay is now more like its big city namesake back East: sleek, urban and expensive.

Large and dramatic new homes pop up from the walk-streets of the Sand Section, the neighborhoods closest to the sand and beach; the Hill Section, the most exclusive part of town where residents can still enjoy ocean views; and the Tree Section, where bigger houses are more appealing to families. Million-dollar homes are not uncommon here. Even formerly anonymous commercial areas east of Sepulveda Boulevard have attained a more glamorous status thanks to the opening of new film and production studios, bringing a touch of Hollywood to the beach.

For all the changes, Manhattan Beach still retains the charms of a beach town. In August, the town regains some of its old flavor when volleyball pros from around the world hit the beach for a nationally-televised volleyball tournament. View Homes for Sale in Manhattan Beach

The Neighbors: Politically conservative executives, affluent couples and families looking for a safe beachside community, highly rated public schools in the state and upscale shops

Also Consider: Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach

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Read More About Los Angeles, CA:

• Search Homes for Sale in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Snapshot
• Los Angeles Essentials
• Local Life and Lore in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles: Like No Place Else
• Beyond Hollywood: Behind the Scenes of L.A.'s Movie Industry
• Slide Show: Get to Know Los Angeles

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