The city is also bisected by Pacific Coast Highway (yes, it is Sepulveda renamed as you enter the city.) On the west side of the city is the Hermosa Valley which includes the hillside area rising from Valley/Ardmore east toward PCH. This area has various lot and home sizes, some with amazing coastal views. Premiere luxury homes on larger lots with breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Bay can be found on Tennyson and Amby Place. South of Gould Avenue are homes with equally magnificent views on smaller lots on streets like 24th Street, 24th Place and adjacent streets.
West of Valley Drive is a quiet neighborhood nestled between the hills on the east and smaller hills that separate it from the beach. Sometimes referred to as Sleepy Hollow, it is unique in that it is only four or five blocks to the ocean, yet it is hidden from most visitors who come to the beach. Large lots have in past years attracted developers as well as residents who are in on the secret. Until the economic downturn, new homes were sprouting up frequently here.
Hermosa Beach’s Sand Section is crowned by The Strand, the row of houses that face the beach and the sidewalk and bike path that follows the coast. The block between The Strand and Hermosa Valley are a mixture of single family homes, duplexes and townhouses. Some of these streets are “walk-streets” for pedestrians only. Many of the beach cottages are making way for newer, larger and more elegant homes.
The area east of Pacific Coast Highway is simply known as East Hermosa, and are of predominantly single family homes with an occasional duplex or townhouse. Prices are more moderate “east of the highway,” but is is still possible to find an ocean view owing to the rise of the hills. Some streets along the eastern border of the city have 25′ wide lots which gives rise to the row house style of construction similar to that seen in the neighboring Redondo Beach Golden Hills area.
With a population of 19,500 (2010 Census), Hermosa Beach is the smallest, but most densely populated of the three Beach Cities. The qualifty of life is enhanced by the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt, a walking and jogging trail with a rural feel, that runs the length of the city. It was once the route of the Santa Fee railroad line that also runs through Manhattan Beach. In addition there are many small parks with a variety of recreational facilities. Street faires known as Fiesta Hermosa, are held on Memorial Day week-end and Labor Day week-end and result in large turn-outs of residents and visitors. A Farmer’s Market is held every Friday afternoon on Valley Dr. near 11th St. Summers are filled with surf festivals and professional volley ball tournements.
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