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Hermosa Beach, California
Hermosa Beach, California
Hermosa Beach, California
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Hermosa Beach (Hermosa, Spanish for "Beautiful")[7][8] is a beachfront city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Its population was 19,728 at the 2020 U.S. census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the Greater Los Angeles area; it is one of the three Beach Cities. Hermosa Beach is bordered by the other two, Manhattan Beach to the north and Redondo Beach to the south and east.

Key Information

The city's beach is popular for sunbathing, beach volleyball, surfing, paddleboarding, bars, cycling and running. The city itself extends only about 15 blocks from east to west and 40 blocks from north to south, with Pacific Coast Highway running down the middle. Situated on the Pacific Ocean, Hermosa's average temperature is 70 °F (21 °C) in the summer and 55 °F (13 °C) in the winter. Westerly sea breezes lessen what can be high summertime temperatures in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the county and help keep the smog away 360 days of the year.

A paved path, called The Strand, runs along Hermosa's beach from Torrance Beach in the south approximately twenty miles north to Santa Monica. The Hermosa Beach Pier is at the end of Pier Avenue, which is one of the beach community's main shopping, dining and entertainment areas.

History

[edit]

Hermosa Beach was originally part of the 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant that later became the ten-mile (16 km) ocean frontage of Rancho Sausal Redondo. In 1900, a tract of 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) was purchased for $35 per acre from A. E. Pomroy, then owner of the greater part of Rancho Sausal Redondo. Messrs. Burbank and Baker, agents, bought this land for Sherman and Clark who organized and retained the controlling interest in the Hermosa Beach Land and Water Company.

In early days, Hermosa Beach — like so many of its neighboring cities (Inglewood, Lawndale, Torrance) — was one vast sweep of rolling hills covered with fields of grain, mostly barley. During certain seasons of the year large herds of sheep were grazed over this land, and corrals and large barns for storing the grain, as well as providing shelter for horses and farm implements, were located on the ranch between Hermosa and Inglewood. The Spanish words Rancho Sausal Redondo mean a large circular ranch of pasture of grazing land, with a grove of willow on it.

The first official survey was made in the year 1901 for the board walk on the Strand, Hermosa Avenue and Santa Fe Avenue; work on these projects commenced soon after. In 1904 the first pier was built. It was constructed entirely of wood even to the pilings and it extended five hundred feet out into the ocean. The pier was constructed by the Hermosa Beach Land and Water Company. In 1913 this old pier was partly washed away and later torn down and a new one built to replace it. This pier was built of concrete 1,000 feet (300 m) long, and paved with asphalt its entire length. Small tiled pavilions were erected at intervals along the sides to afford shade for fishermen and picnic parties. A bait stand was built eventually out on the end. Soon after, about 1914, an auditorium building was constructed; it has housed various enterprises and at present the public rest rooms, the Los Angeles Life Guard Service, and the local branch of the Los Angeles County Public Library occupy rooms in the building. This pier is municipally owned.

Golden State Silk Mills in Hermosa Beach, c. 1925; the small city was the center of the West Coast silk industry[9]

The Los Angeles Pacific Railway, a trolley system, was the first trolley service in Hermosa Beach, running the entire length of Hermosa Ave. on its way from L.A. to Redondo Beach. A few years later it was merged with most other trolley companies in the region to form the new Pacific Electric Railway Company, informally called the Red Cars.[10]

The Santa Fe Railway was the first railroad to run through Hermosa Beach.[11] It was seven blocks from the beach. The street that led to the tracks was called Santa Fe Avenue, but was later renamed Pier Avenue. There was no Santa Fe railway station for Hermosa, but Burbank and Baker built a railway platform on the west side of the tracks near Santa Fe Avenue, and later the railroad company donated an old boxcar to be used as a storage place for freight. In 1926, the Santa Fe built a modern stucco depot and installed Western Union telegraph service in it.

The first city election for city officers was held December 24, 1906. On January 14, 1907, Hermosa Beach became the nineteenth incorporated city of Los Angeles County.

Geography

[edit]
Pier Plaza in downtown Hermosa Beach

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2), all of it land.

Climate

[edit]

Average air temperature - (summer 74 °F (23 °C)/ winter, 55 °F (13 °C))

Average water temperature - 60 °F (16 °C) (summer 68 °F (20 °C)/ winter 50 °F (10 °C))

Climate data for Hermosa Beach, California
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 91
(33) 		92
(33) 		95
(35) 		102
(39) 		97
(36) 		104
(40) 		97
(36) 		98
(37) 		109
(43) 		106
(41) 		101
(38) 		94
(34) 		109
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 65.7
(18.7) 		65.7
(18.7) 		66.4
(19.1) 		68.3
(20.2) 		70.0
(21.1) 		72.5
(22.5) 		75.7
(24.3) 		77.0
(25.0) 		76.4
(24.7) 		73.9
(23.3) 		69.9
(21.1) 		65.4
(18.6) 		70.6
(21.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 48.0
(8.9) 		49.4
(9.7) 		51.3
(10.7) 		53.3
(11.8) 		57.0
(13.9) 		59.9
(15.5) 		63.0
(17.2) 		63.6
(17.6) 		62.5
(16.9) 		58.5
(14.7) 		52.4
(11.3) 		47.8
(8.8) 		55.6
(13.1)
Record low °F (°C) 27
(−3) 		34
(1) 		35
(2) 		42
(6) 		45
(7) 		48
(9) 		52
(11) 		51
(11) 		47
(8) 		43
(6) 		38
(3) 		32
(0) 		27
(−3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.02
(77) 		3.09
(78) 		2.49
(63) 		0.62
(16) 		0.25
(6.4) 		0.08
(2.0) 		0.03
(0.76) 		0.15
(3.8) 		0.22
(5.6) 		0.40
(10) 		1.11
(28) 		1.76
(45) 		13.20
(335)
Source: [12][13][14]

Hermosa Beach has an average of 325 days of sunshine a year.[15] Because of its location, nestled on a vast open bay (Santa Monica Bay), morning fog and haze is a common phenomenon in May, June and early July (caused by ocean temperature variations and currents). Locals have a particular terminology for this phenomenon: the "May Gray" and the "June Gloom". Overcast skies are common for June mornings, but usually the strong sun burns the fog off by noon.[16] Nonetheless, it will sometimes stay cloudy and cool all day during June, even as other parts of the Los Angeles area will enjoy sunny skies and warmer temperatures. At times, the sun shines east of PCH, while the beach area is overcast.

As a general rule, the temperature is from 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12 °C) cooler than it is inland. A typical spring day (mid-April) is sunny, pleasant and about 68 °F (20 °C). In the summer, which stretches basically from May to late October, temperatures can reach to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (about 30 °C) at the beach. In early November, it is about 68 °F (20 °C). In late January, temperatures are around 63 °F (17 °C). It is winter, however, when the hot, dry Santa Ana winds are most common. In mid-December 2004, temperatures soared to 84 °F (29 °C) in Santa Monica, for a few straight days, with perfectly sunny skies.

The rainy season is from late October through late March. Winter storms usually approach from the northwest and pass quickly through the Southland. There is very little rain during the rest of the year, on average, there is just about 14 inches of rain per year in the city.

Hermosa Beach usually enjoys a cool breeze blowing in from the ocean, keeping the air fresh and clean. Therefore, smog is less a problem for Hermosa Beach than elsewhere around Los Angeles.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1910679—
19202,327242.7%
19304,796106.1%
19407,19750.1%
195011,82664.3%
196016,11536.3%
197017,4128.0%
198018,0703.8%
199018,2190.8%
200018,5661.9%
201019,5065.1%
202019,7281.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1860–1870[18][19] 1880-1890[20]
1900[21] 1910[22] 1920[23]
1930[24] 1940[25] 1950[26]
1960[27][28] 1970[29] 1980[30]
1990[31] 2000[32] 2010[33]
2020[34]

Hermosa Beach first appeared as a city in the 1910 U.S. census as part of the now defunct Redondo Township.[22]

Hermosa Beach city, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[35] Pop 2010[36] Pop 2020[34] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 15,822 15,780 14,563 85.22% 80.90% 73.82%
Black or African American alone (NH) 141 216 195 0.76% 1.11% 0.99%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 51 28 31 0.27% 0.14% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 809 1,097 1,371 4.36% 5.62% 6.95%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 35 43 20 0.19% 0.22% 0.10%
Other race alone (NH) 38 52 152 0.20% 0.27% 0.77%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 417 658 1,332 2.25% 3.37% 6.75%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,253 1,632 2,064 6.75% 8.37% 10.46%
Total 18,566 19,506 19,728 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020

[edit]

The 2020 United States census reported that Hermosa Beach had a population of 19,728. The population density was 13,834.5 inhabitants per square mile (5,341.5/km2). The racial makeup of Hermosa Beach was 76.6% White, 1.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 7.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 12.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.5% of the population.[37]

The census reported that 99.9% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.[37]

There were 9,247 households, out of which 23.6% included children under the age of 18, 38.6% were married-couple households, 8.9% were cohabiting couple households, 25.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 26.8% had a male householder with no partner present. 36.0% of households were one person, and 8.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.13.[37] There were 4,633 families (50.1% of all households).[38]

The age distribution was 17.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% aged 18 to 24, 34.1% aged 25 to 44, 29.1% aged 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males.[37]

There were 10,038 housing units at an average density of 7,039.3 units per square mile (2,717.9 units/km2), of which 9,247 (92.1%) were occupied. Of these, 45.6% were owner-occupied, and 54.4% were occupied by renters.[37]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $152,019, and the per capita income was $110,660. About 3.7% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line.[39]

2010

[edit]

The 2010 United States census[40] reported that Hermosa Beach had a population of 19,506. The population density was 13,673.6 inhabitants per square mile (5,279.4/km2). The racial makeup of Hermosa Beach was 16,928 (86.8%) White (80.9% Non-Hispanic White),[41] 229 (1.2%) African American, 49 (0.3%) Native American, 1,111 (5.7%) Asian, 46 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 325 (1.7%) from other races, and 818 (4.2%) from two or more races. There were 1,632 residents of Hispanic or Latino ancestry, of any race (8.4%).

The Census reported that 19,491 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 11 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 4 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 9,550 households, out of which 1,878 (19.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,254 (34.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 460 (4.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 325 (3.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 710 (7.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 64 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,644 households (38.2%) were made up of individuals, and 606 (6.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04. There were 4,039 families (42.3% of all households); the average family size was 2.80.

There were 3,093 residents (15.9%) under the age of 18, 1,242 (6.4%) aged 18 to 24, 8,516 (43.7%) aged 25 to 44, 4,898 (25.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,757 (9.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.1 males.

There were 10,162 housing units at an average density of 7,123.5 per square mile (2,750.4/km2), of which 4,255 (44.6%) were owner-occupied, and 5,295 (55.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%. 10,083 people (51.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,408 people (48.2%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States census, Hermosa Beach had a median household income of $101,655, with 3.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[42]

Economy

[edit]
6th and The Strand Hermosa Beach

In 2024, the most common occupations of residents were management, sales, and administrative support. The top employers were: City of Hermosa Beach (168); Von's Companies (121); Lazy Acres (107); Trader Joe's (94); Hermosa Beach School District (90).[43]

The city has 32.5 acres (13.2 ha) of beach, and 1,570 parking meters.[43]

Arts and culture

[edit]
Hermosa Beach sunset concert
  • Fiesta Hermosa: Arts and crafts festival which has taken place for the last 35 years every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend
  • Hermosa Ironman: Unofficial triathlon every July 4, consisting of running a mile in the sand, paddling a mile on a surfboard, and downing a 6-pack of beer. "First to finish without puking wins!"[44][45][46]
  • AVP Hermosa Beach Open: Started in 1969 and typically in June. Attracts combinations of pros and near pros. Free event open to everyone.
  • ShockBoxx Art Gallery: Located at 6th & Cypress in the arts district. Showcasing domestic and international artists with avant-garde style themes. Free and open to the public. Check the website for show dates.[47]
  • Hermosa Beach Film Festival: Started in 2005 and typically in August. Short films from each year are chosen to be screened at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse
  • International Surf Festival: Surfing, paddleboarding, pier to pier swim events. Beginning of August
  • Hennessey's Paddle Board Festival: U.S. Paddleboard Championships. Typically in July.
  • Hermosa Beach Sunset Concert free concert series from bands who perform on the beach. Starts July 31 – August 21 (4 weeks)
  • Farmers' Market Every Friday from 12 noon to 4 pm, rain or shine. (Valley Drive between 8th and 10th Streets) Also, every Wednesday from 1pm to 6pm in the Pier Plaza (by the pier)
  • Sand and Strand Run The second oldest standing run in the L.A. area. Unique is its course design, with 45% of the run on the Strand and 55% on the beach. February during low tide.
  • Shakespeare by the Sea: the South Bay's free Shakespeare in the Park company. Performances run June through August in a variety of venues in Los Angeles and Orange County.[48]
  • The Lighthouse Cafe, a seminal West Coast jazz venue, is located in Hermosa Beach.
  • The Hermosa Beach Community Drum Circle occurs every third Sunday of the month from noon to 3 pm at Hermosa Pier.
  • The Comedy and Magic Club where comedian Jay Leno has been performing since 1978.[49]
  • Hermosa has a rich history in punk rock music, with many notable bands including Black Flag, Red Kross, The Descendents, Pennywise, OFF! and Circle Jerks having all lived or rehearsed in town over the years.
  • Hermosa Beach Pride, an LGBTQ+ pride parade and festival, has taken place annually in June since 2021.

Parks and recreation

[edit]

The wide flat beach makes Hermosa Beach one of the most popular places to play beach volleyball, from professional to amateur. Hermosa Beach is home to the AVP Hermosa Beach Open tournament, and several amateur CBVA tournaments during the year. The Strand stretches north to Santa Monica and south to Redondo Beach, and is a popular place for walkers, joggers and biking. Of the three Beach Cities, only Hermosa Beach owns its own beach. The other two cities' beaches are owned by the county of Los Angeles.

Running parallel to The Strand is a lovely linear trail known today as the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt. Once part of a railroad easement, this narrow 24-acre (97,000 m2) strip had long been the subject of heated controversy and pressure from various commercial interests. After years of litigation and wrangling, the city was poised to permit intensive retail and condominium development in the mid-1980s when a grassroots group spearheaded by activist Rosamond Fogg forced the matter to a vote. The City Council at the time was divided over whether the matter was of much importance but after an energetic and passionate campaign, the citizens found that the greenbelt was a vital recreational resource and mandated its preservation for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors. This ballot initiative passed by almost 87%, the highest in California history. [citation needed] On the same Ballot, the public approved a referendum added a utility user's tax by 2% to help pay for the purchase, to be sunset after the property was acquired. [citation needed] As a result, the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt has the quality of a rural country lane, home to the monarch butterfly and many bird and animal species. At any time of day or night joggers and walkers enjoy its soft woodchip trails and graceful landscaping. The Greenbelt is also now part of the federal rails to trails network. The AIA R/UDAT (Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team) found that Hermosa Beach, thanks in large part to the existence of the Greenbelt, was a "world class pedestrian city".[50]

Government

[edit]

Local government

[edit]

According to the 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $32.4 million in revenues, $33.9 million in expenditures, $93.8 million in total assets, $12.2 million in total liabilities, and $23.0 million in cash and investments.[51]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[52]

City Department Department Head
City Manager Steve Napolitano[53]
Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker
Finance Manager Henry Chao
Human Resources Manager / Risk Manager Tiffany Nguyen
Community Development Director Alison Becker
Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols
Police Chief Landon Phillips
Public Works Director Joe SanClamente

The Beach Cities Health District,[54] provides health and wellness services to the residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. The voters of the three beach cities elect the 5-member Board of Directors to 4-year terms. One of 78 California Health Districts,[55] it was created in 1955 as South Bay Hospital and took on its current name in 1993. Beach Cities Health District opened AdventurePlex,[56] a Manhattan Beach fitness center for kids and their families, in 2002. Filled with mazes, tunnels, outdoor rock climbing walls, complex ropes courses, and an indoor gym, AdventurePlex challenges children physically and intellectually in health-focused recreational activities.

The United States Postal Service Hermosa Beach Post Office is located at 565 Pier Avenue.[57]

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has a sectional lifeguard headquarters located at the Hermosa Beach Pier since the new building opened its doors since 2006, currently commanded by Capt. Tracy Lizzotte who leads the entire "Team HB" as part of "Team South" in the L.A. County Lifeguard. Currently located at 1200 The Strand housed a lifeguard garage where response vehicles have parked.

Politics

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Hermosa Beach is in the 24th senatorial district, represented by Democrat Ben Allen, and in the 66th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Al Muratsuchi.[58]

In the United States House of Representatives, Hermosa Beach is in California's 36th congressional district, represented by Democrat Ted Lieu.[59]

In the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama won 61% of the vote compared to 36% for John McCain.[60]

Education

[edit]

Public schools

[edit]

Hermosa Beach has its own elementary school and middle school but high school students are served by either Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach where rankings are in the 80 to 90th percentiles. Hermosa Beach residents are zoned to Hermosa Beach City School District for grades Kindergarten through 8. Before Proposition 13 passed, Hermosa Beach had five elementary schools (North, South, Hermosa View, Prospect Heights, Valley Vista) and one junior high school (Pier Avenue).

Residents of Hermosa Beach were in South Bay Union High School District until 1993, when it dissolved.[61]

In 2005, Hermosa Valley and Hermosa View schools were honored as U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Schools, along with 33 California schools and less than 300 schools across the nation. The award was based on academic achievement. Hermosa schools are among the top 10% of schools in the state with students scoring at or above the 90% in the highest grade tested in reading and math. For the award, the Department of Education reviewed growth in scores over a three-year period.

The district has three schools:

  • Hermosa View Elementary (Pre-k to Grade 2)
  • Hermosa Vista Elementary (Grades 3 and 4)
  • Hermosa Valley Middle (Grades 5 through 8)

At the high school level, public school students can choose between two schools:

The Hermosa Beach City School District as a whole received a score of 915[62] on the 2006 California Academic Performance Index, neighboring Manhattan Beach Unified School District scored just below at 906[63] making it one of California's best performing districts. Each individual school also ranks at the top of its respective category.

School 2006 API Score
Hermosa View Elementary 950
Hermosa Vista Elementary
Hermosa Valley Middle 910
Mira Costa High School 852

Private schools

[edit]

Hermosa Beach also has one private school:

At one point the International Bilingual School, a Japanese preparatory school for grades K-9, moved to Hermosa Beach. In 1992 the school moved to Palos Verdes Estates.[64]

Media

[edit]

In addition to the Los Angeles Times, Hermosa Beach is served by the hometown Easy Reader, local daily the Daily Breeze and local weekly the Beach Reporter.

Filming location

[edit]
Film
TV
  • The TV show Summerland was partly filmed here.
  • Scenes of the TV show The O.C. were filmed on the Hermosa Beach Strand, Pier and Plaza.[65]
  • The Beach House on the TV show Beverly Hills, 90210 is located on the north end of The Strand (1994/1995 seasons).
  • The city was the site of the start and the first task on The Amazing Race 31.
  • In 2019, the fourth season of Veronica Mars filmed primarily in Hermosa Beach, mainly at the Sea Sprite Hotel.[66]
Photography

Notable people

[edit]

Sister city

[edit]

Hermosa Beach has been the sister city of Loreto, Baja California Sur, since 1967.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hermosa Beach, California

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hermosa Beach is a coastal located in the South Bay region of , along the . Incorporated on January 14, 1907, the encompasses 1.43 square miles of land area and recorded a population of 19,728 in the . The community features a 2-mile sandy shoreline that supports recreational activities including and , drawing a high volume of visitors beyond its resident base. Originally part of the , Hermosa Beach developed as a resort area in the early , with its first constructed in 1904 to enhance ocean access. Today, it operates as a general law under a council-manager government, emphasizing a walkable, health-conscious environment amid its beachfront setting.

History

Founding and Early Settlement (1900s–1920s)

The area encompassing modern Hermosa Beach formed part of Rancho Sausal Redondo, a land grant established in 1837 for ranching and , characterized by rolling hills, barley fields, sheep grazing, corrals, barns, and sand dunes prior to urban development. In 1900, a 1,500-acre tract was purchased for $35 per acre from A.E. Pomroy, the primary owner of the rancho, by agents Burbank and acting for investors Sherman and , who subsequently organized the Hermosa Beach Land and Water Company to oversee subdivision and development. This transaction marked the transition from agrarian use to planned residential and resort-oriented settlement, with the name "Hermosa" selected to evoke the Spanish term for "beautiful," reflecting the site's coastal appeal. Early infrastructure improvements began in 1901 with the first official survey delineating the Strand , Hermosa Avenue, and Santa Fe Avenue, alongside installation of water wells and storage tanks to support habitation. By 1904, the company constructed a 500-foot wooden extending into the ocean to facilitate recreation and fishing, while the arrival of the Pacific Railway line spurred street paving and initial lot sales, attracting around 530 residents by August 1906. These developments positioned Hermosa Beach as an emerging resort destination amid the broader South Bay land boom, emphasizing beach access and proximity to . Incorporation efforts culminated in the first municipal election on December 24, 1906, followed by official status as a sixth-class city on January 14, 1907, with John Q. Tufts elected as the inaugural and Herman Vetter as city clerk; the city secured a two-mile oceanfront from the land company, designating it a public beach playground. The original pier partially collapsed in a 1913 storm and was replaced by a longer 1,000-foot concrete structure completed in 1914, enhancing tourism infrastructure alongside the partial cementing of the Strand boardwalk. Through the , Hermosa Beach functioned primarily as a , with ongoing subdivision, hotel construction, and civic organizations fostering community growth, though it remained smaller and less industrialized than neighboring Redondo Beach.

Mid-20th Century Development and Post-War Boom

During the following the , Hermosa Beach experienced economic stagnation after its growth, with widespread foreclosures leading to the repossession of approximately 1,000 lots—one-sixth of the city's total—due to unpaid taxes. The resort-oriented economy faltered, prompting residents to rely on for sustenance amid high and bank failures. By , the stood at 4,796, reflecting limited expansion from the prior decade. Recovery began tentatively in the late as young families relocated to the area, filling vacant downtown lots with commercial establishments like a Market, though the necessitated rebuilding of schools and structures under updated seismic codes by 1934. World War II catalyzed development through the expansion of the South Bay's industry, which drew workers to Hermosa Beach for proximity to manufacturing hubs in nearby Inglewood and Hawthorne. This influx spurred initial population growth to 7,197 by 1940, with dwelling units totaling 3,384. Post-war demand for housing accelerated the boom, as returning veterans and employees settled in the affordable coastal , driving the population to 11,763 by 1950 and exceeding 15,000 by 1956. Assessed property valuations tripled from $5,050,665 in 1940 to $20,097,420 by 1957–1958, reflecting widespread residential construction that increased dwelling units to over 5,000 by 1955 and an estimated 6,000 in the ensuing years. Infrastructure investments supported this expansion, including the construction of new elementary schools such as Prospect Heights in 1951 and Valley Vista in 1952 to accommodate growing families, alongside improvements to storm drains and street paving. The post-war era solidified Hermosa Beach's transition from a seasonal to a stable bedroom community for the burgeoning sector, which employed thousands regionally and fueled appreciation. By the mid-1950s, the neared 17,000, underscoring the suburb's integration into the broader economic dynamism of Southern California's defense-driven growth.

Late 20th Century to Present: Environmental and Urban Challenges

In the late 1980s, Hermosa Beach faced renewed pressure to permit oil drilling after acquiring rights to tidelands with estimated reserves, prompting an environmental impact report that evaluated factors including air quality, , and but ultimately led to permit denials amid safety concerns. A 1995 voter-approved Proposition E reinstated a ban on new drilling, reflecting community priorities for coastal preservation over economic gains from hydrocarbons. Legal disputes persisted, culminating in a 2012 settlement with an oil company requiring a public vote; in 2015, Measure DD passed with 62% support, rejecting drilling and affirming a moratorium due to risks of emissions, , and impacts on marine life. Coastal erosion and sea-level rise emerged as persistent threats, with assessments identifying increased beach retreat and flooding risks from projected rises of up to three feet by 2100 under moderate scenarios. In response, the city launched a 2020 virtual reality initiative to visualize inundation of public spaces like courts, facilitating community input on adaptation strategies such as natural for flood mitigation. Hermosa Beach's Local Coastal Program update incorporated vulnerability mapping, highlighting "coastal squeeze" effects where rising waters erode sandy shores backed by urban , prompting participation in regional grants for resilience planning across 45 miles of County coastline. Urban development intensified challenges related to density and infrastructure strain in this compact coastal city of approximately 2.5 square miles. Proposals for structures exceeding the 30-foot height limit, such as a 2025 residential project initially planned at 50 feet, sparked opposition over added traffic congestion, insufficient parking, and erosion of the small-town aesthetic, with residents citing blocked views and diminished property values. The city's PLAN Hermosa framework addresses these by promoting infill development while mitigating impacts through traffic studies and design standards, though a documented trend of housing density loss from demolitions for larger single-family homes has compounded affordability pressures amid high coastal demand. Recent approvals, like downsized apartments in 2025, incorporated mitigation measures but underscored ongoing tensions between growth and livability in an already saturated urban fabric.

Geography

Physical Features and Location

Hermosa Beach occupies 1.43 square miles of land in southwestern , within the South Bay region of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city centers at geographic coordinates 33°51′44″N 118°24′00″W and lies along the , approximately 17 miles southeast of . The terrain consists primarily of flat coastal plains with an average elevation of 8 meters (26 feet) above , rising minimally inland from the shoreline. Hermosa Beach features 1.8 miles of sandy oceanfront , comprising about 94 acres of public area managed under Los Angeles County oversight. Positioned within the , the city's western boundary abuts the , while its eastern extents approach inland urban areas; it forms part of the contiguous Beach Cities alongside Beach to the north and Redondo Beach to the south. The local geography supports a narrow esplanade known as The Strand, paralleling the and facilitating pedestrian and bicycle access along the coast.

Climate and Environmental Conditions

Hermosa Beach features a warm-summer under the Köppen Csb, marked by mild temperatures year-round, dry summers, and concentrated in winter months. Average high temperatures reach 75°F (24°C) during the warmest months of and , while lows dip to around 49°F (9°C) in and ; annual mean temperature hovers near 62°F (17°C). The region receives approximately 12.9 inches (328 mm) of rainfall annually, with recording the highest average at 3.3 inches (84 mm) and extended dry periods spanning late spring through early fall. Coastal influences moderate extremes, with prevailing westerly sea breezes tempering summer heat and contributing to frequent morning layers, particularly from May to , which often dissipate by midday. Sunshine totals about 3,293 hours per year, supporting extended daylight and clear skies outside fog-prone periods. Environmental conditions reflect the coastal urban setting within the , where air quality typically rates as moderate due to regional ozone and particulate matter from vehicular emissions and industrial activity, though sea breezes aid dispersion. water quality faces episodic challenges from runoff carrying , trash, and pollutants, prompting periodic beach closures; municipal efforts focus on pollution prevention to mitigate impacts on and . Coastal erosion persists as a concern, exacerbated by wave action and reduced sediment supply, leading to local adaptation strategies evaluating structural and natural infrastructure options. Drinking water, sourced primarily from and imported supplies, meets state standards with low contaminant levels as per annual reports.

Demographics

Population and Household Composition

As of the 2023 5-year estimates, Hermosa Beach had a of 19,248. The 2020 decennial enumerated 19,728 residents, reflecting modest fluctuations influenced by housing costs and migration patterns in coastal . The city contained 8,922 households during the 2019–2023 period, with an average household size of 2.15 persons—lower than the national average of 2.5, consistent with urban beach communities favoring smaller living units. Family households comprised 50.2% of the total, while non-family households, often consisting of single individuals or unrelated roommates, made up the remaining 49.8%; this balance underscores the area's appeal to young adults and couples without children, driven by high prices limiting larger formations. Married-couple households dominate the family category, aligning with patterns showing 59% of units as married couples in recent ACS data.

Socioeconomic Indicators

Hermosa Beach displays elevated relative to broader benchmarks, characterized by high incomes and low . The median household income stood at $152,019 for the period 2019-2023, more than 1.5 times the metropolitan area median of $93,525 and nearly double the national figure of $75,149. reached $110,660 over the same timeframe, reflecting substantial individual earning capacity amid a coastal driven by and . Educational attainment levels are correspondingly high, with 98.3% of residents aged 25 and older holding at least a or equivalent, and approximately 70% possessing a or higher as of recent estimates. This exceeds averages, where about 85% complete high school and 36% attain a , correlating with the influx of educated professionals attracted to the area's and proximity to Los Angeles employment hubs. Poverty remains low at 5.3% of the population for whom status is determined, well below the U.S. rate of 11.5% and indicative of economic resilience despite high living costs. Unemployment hovered around 4.9% to 5.6% in recent years, aligning closely with national lows during post-pandemic recovery but moderated by seasonal tourism influences. Homeownership rates stand at 50.7%, lower than the national average of 65% due to elevated property values—median home prices exceeding $2 million—which favor renters including young professionals and retirees.
IndicatorHermosa Beach Value (2019-2023)California AverageU.S. Average
Median Household Income$152,019$91,905$75,149
Per Capita Income$110,660$45,333$41,261
Poverty Rate5.3%12.2%11.5%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher~70%~36%~34%
These figures underscore Hermosa Beach's profile as an affluent enclave, where high via housing costs sustain exclusivity but also limit broader accessibility.

Racial and Ethnic Breakdown

As of the , Hermosa Beach had a of 19,728, with the following racial distribution based on self-reported categories: 74.7% alone, 0.6% or African American alone, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 7.4% Asian alone, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other alone, 3.4% some other race alone, and 13.7% two or more races. Persons identifying as or Latino (of any race) constituted 10.3% of the , with the majority of non-Hispanic residents being (approximately 72.8%).
Race/EthnicityPercentageApproximate Count
White alone74.7%14,731
Asian alone7.4%1,460
Two or more races13.7%2,703
Some other race alone3.4%671
or Latino (any race)10.3%2,032
Black or African American alone0.6%118
These figures reflect the Bureau's methodology, which separates race and origin; increases in the "two or more races" category stem from expanded self-identification options introduced in 2020. More recent 2022 estimates show minor shifts, with non- at 72.8% and at 9.9%, indicating relative stability in the predominantly demographic profile.

Government and Politics

Structure of Local Government

Hermosa Beach operates as a general law city under the Council-Manager form of , where legislative resides with an elected city council and executive functions are delegated to an appointed . The city council consists of five members elected by voters to staggered four-year terms, with elections held in even-numbered years. One councilmember is selected annually by peers to serve as for approximately 9.6 months, presiding over meetings, representing the city in ceremonial roles, and voting on council matters as an equal member; a mayor is similarly chosen to assume these duties in the mayor's absence. The council's primary responsibilities include setting policy, adopting the annual budget, securing revenues, appointing the , , and city prosecutor, and overseeing compliance with state and local laws. The , appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the , acts as the responsible for implementing policies, managing all city departments and daily operations, and preparing budget recommendations. The city treasurer is elected by voters to a four-year term, handling financial administration, while the city clerk position, made appointive via Measure CC approved in November 2019, supports elections, records, and proceedings. The also appoints members to various boards and commissions for advisory input on issues like planning and public safety.

Political Leanings and Election Outcomes

Hermosa Beach displays relatively balanced political leanings compared to County overall, where Democrats hold a substantial registration advantage. As of recent available city-level data, consists of approximately 45% Democrats, 23% Republicans, and 24% no party preference, with minor shares for other parties such as American Independent (4%) and Libertarian (2%). This distribution reflects a more competitive partisan environment than the county's broader Democratic dominance, potentially influenced by the city's affluent, coastal demographic that includes independents with conservative fiscal tendencies on issues like taxation and development. In the , received 38.3% of the vote in Hermosa Beach, outperforming his statewide Republican share and indicating stronger Republican support locally than voter registration alone might suggest, as no-party-preference voters and some Democrats appear to have crossed over. secured the remainder, consistent with California's decisive Democratic tilt but moderated in this South Bay enclave. Local turnout and precinct-level data from County underscore Hermosa Beach's position as a purple outlier amid surrounding areas, where Republican performance often hinges on turnout among independents concerned with property and environmental regulations affecting beach access. City council elections, which are officially non-partisan, emphasize local priorities such as housing density, public safety, and coastal preservation over national ideology, though candidates occasionally reveal affiliations. In the November 2024 municipal election, Mike Detoy and former councilmember Justin Keegan, both veterans of local with records on fiscal restraint and , won reelection or return to two of three open seats, defeating challengers amid low turnout typical of off-year races. Past contests, like the 2022 race where Democratic-affiliated candidate Dean Francois placed third without winning, highlight the electorate's preference for pragmatic s over overt partisanship.) Ballot measures on issues like short-term rentals have passed with majorities favoring property owner interests, aligning with conservative-leaning outcomes despite the Democratic registration edge.

Policy Debates and Controversies

In the mid-2010s, Hermosa Beach faced intense debate over lifting a longstanding moratorium on offshore oil drilling, proposed by E&B Natural Resources Management LLC in partnership with the city. Proponents argued the project could generate up to $500,000 annually in royalties to fund public services like police and maintenance, while utilizing from an onshore site to access reserves in the without surface rigs offshore. Opponents highlighted risks of , potential drilling accidents, and environmental damage to the coastal ecosystem, citing studies on health impacts from emissions and spills in similar operations. The controversy escalated with mutual accusations of misinformation and harassment during campaigning, culminating in Measure O on the March 2015 ballot, which voters rejected by a 79% to 21% margin, preserving the ban. A subsequent 2017 settlement required the city to pay E&B $1.5 million to resolve all claims, avoiding further litigation over the developer's asserted property rights. Short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) under 30 days have been a flashpoint since the city's 2016 ordinance banning them in residential coastal zones to preserve neighborhood character and long-term housing availability, with exemptions for nonconforming uses in select commercial districts like C-2 and C-3. Critics contended the ban restricted public access to beach-adjacent areas, contravening the Coastal Act's emphasis on maximizing shoreline visitation for non-residents. In 2024, a by resident Todd Koerner challenged the policy, leading to a ruling in August that deemed the residential ban unenforceable for violating public access mandates, as it limited short-term stays that enable broader coastal enjoyment. A 2025 preliminary halted enforcement against Koerner, prompting the city to extend limited STVR permissions in commercial zones amid ongoing appeals, though the core residential prohibition persists under litigation. In March 2025, the City Council expanded its anti-camping ordinance to prohibit sleeping or residing overnight in vehicles or tents across all public areas, including beaches and parks, aiming to deter visible and maintain public safety in this densely populated coastal enclave. The measure followed complaints about encampments impacting and , with supporters citing enforcement data showing prior restrictions reduced incidents but did not fully address spillover from adjacent urban areas. Detractors argued it criminalizes poverty without providing alternatives, potentially exacerbating regional displacement, though local data indicated minimal unhoused population—fewer than 10 individuals per recent counts—compared to broader County trends. This policy aligns with similar measures in other affluent South Bay municipalities, reflecting tensions between property values, visitor appeal, and state-level pressures for compassionate approaches.

Economy

Primary Economic Sectors

The primary economic sectors in Hermosa Beach revolve around leisure and hospitality, which accounted for 23.1% of local employment (1,803 jobs) in 2017, driven primarily by activities such as visitation, sports, and events along the Strand and pier. This sector benefits from the city's coastal location, attracting millions of visitors annually to its 1.5-mile , supporting businesses in accommodations, food services, and recreational rentals, with retail sales reaching $217 million in 2017, or $11,000 per capita. Education and health services represent the second-largest sector at 18.7% of employment (1,461 jobs) in 2017, encompassing the and local healthcare providers serving the resident population of approximately 19,000. Professional and management services follow at 12.2% (953 jobs), reflecting office-based operations in consulting, , and technical fields, often tied to the affluent demographic with median household incomes exceeding $150,000 as of recent estimates. Retail trade constitutes 10.2% of local jobs (797 positions) in 2017, concentrated in commercial corridors like Pier Avenue and downtown areas, where shops, grocery stores such as and Lazy Acres, and specialty retailers cater to both residents and tourists. has grown notably, comprising 4.6% (359 jobs) with a 115% increase from 2007 levels, fueled by residential and commercial development amid high property values and demand for coastal . Overall, the local economy supports about 7,812 jobs against 9,457 households, yielding a of 0.83, indicating reliance on for higher-wage roles outside .

Real Estate Market and Housing Dynamics

Hermosa Beach features a premium real estate market characterized by high property values driven by its coastal location, limited land availability, and proximity to Los Angeles. The median sale price for homes reached $2.5 million in recent months of 2025, reflecting a 7.5% decline from the prior year amid fluctuating inventory, though July 2025 sales averaged $2,489,375, up 12.4% year-over-year. Median listing prices stood at $3 million in August 2025, increasing 15.2% annually, with per-square-foot values around $1,310 for sales and higher for listings up to $1,600. The market remains somewhat competitive, with a Redfin competitiveness score of 44 out of 100, as low inventory—typically under 30 active listings—constrains supply relative to demand from high-income buyers seeking beach access. Housing stock consists predominantly of single-family detached homes in districts like R-1, which enforce standards for lot size, setbacks, and height to preserve neighborhood character, alongside multi-family and units near commercial zones. Development is restricted by coastal regulations under the , which limit density and require environmental reviews, contributing to chronically low new construction; single-family inventory has stabilized at reduced levels post-2022. State laws such as SB-9 have enabled some lot splits for up to two units on single-family parcels since 2022, potentially increasing supply modestly, while the city's Housing Element mandates adjustments to accommodate growth targets without overriding local preferences for low-density preservation. Ongoing ordinance updates aim to integrate the Local Coastal Program, balancing development flexibility with community standards. Rental dynamics mirror ownership costs, with average monthly rents ranging from $2,917 to $4,775 across unit types in 2025, far exceeding national averages due to seasonal demand from tourists and professionals commuting to . One- and two-bedroom apartments command premiums near the Strand, with median rents climbing 1.29% month-over-month to $3,033 in August 2025. Absent rent control ordinances, market forces amplify affordability challenges, as high demand from tech and entertainment sectors sustains upward pressure despite occasional inventory upticks in multi-family segments. Overall, persistent supply constraints from geography and policy foster value appreciation, with average home values at $2.16 million, up 1% annually as of 2025.
MetricValue (2025)Year-over-Year ChangeSource
Median Home Sale Price$2.5M-7.5%Redfin
Median Listing Price$3M (Aug)+15.2%Realtor.com
Average Rent$3,176–$4,775Varies by unitRentCafe/Zillow
Active Listings~30Stable lowActive Realty

Fiscal Policies and Development Incentives

Hermosa Beach maintains a balanced annual process, with the submitting a proposed by May 15 and the City Council adopting it by June 30 each . The 2024-25 , adopted on June 11, 2024, prioritized core services such as public safety and , including approximately $34 million allocated for capital improvements in the subsequent projection. incorporate a and maintain a contingency reserve, which stood at $6,778,522 or 16% of appropriations in 2021-22, reflecting prudent fiscal management to buffer against revenue volatility from tourism-dependent sources. Key revenue streams include property taxes, with a effective rate of 1.09% in Hermosa Beach, and sales taxes at a combined rate of 9.75% encompassing state, county, and local components. The city imposes a Utility Users Tax of 5.5% on telecommunications services and 6% on , gas, and , alongside a Transient Occupancy Tax of 14% on stays, elevated from 12% following voter approval of Measure H on November 5, 2019, to bolster tourism-related funding. These policies emphasize stable, locally controlled revenues over expansive borrowing, with limited rebates or exemptions targeted at qualifying seniors and disabled residents for utilities and transient taxes. Development incentives align with preserving the city's coastal character rather than aggressive expansion, as outlined in the Strategy adopted by the City Council on July 12, 2022, which prioritizes small- and medium-scale retail and diversification beyond reliance on accommodations and food services. The strategy supports business retention through resources like permitting assistance but eschews large-scale tax abatements, instead integrating goals into PLAN Hermosa, a 25-year vision emphasizing community-driven growth. regulations enforce strict standards, such as a 25-foot height limit in single-family R-1 zones, to curb overdevelopment, with ongoing updates aiming for flexible yet protective land-use rules that implement preservation-oriented policies. In response to state mandates, the city approved an plan in August 2023 requiring 558 units by 2029, but incentives remain modest, focusing on compliance rather than subsidies to avoid straining infrastructure.

Culture and Lifestyle

Beach Sports and Outdoor Recreation

Hermosa Beach features extensive facilities for , a sport central to its coastal identity, with multiple public courts along the shoreline accommodating casual play, organized leagues, and training programs. Local organizations such as the Hermosa Volleyball Academy have provided classes for beginners to advanced players for over 30 years, while groups like Better at Beach offer small-group training and leagues focused on fundamentals and strategy. The city supports these activities through contracted recreation programs, including camps for ages 7-13 emphasizing essential skills. Weekly leagues, such as coed 4s held Tuesdays near the , draw regular participants. Surfing holds historical significance in Hermosa Beach, dating to the early when Hawaiian surfers introduced the sport to the South Bay area, with local pioneer Dale Velzy shaping boards under the pier from around age 10 in the 1930s. The beach's legacy is commemorated by the Surfers Walk of Fame on the pier, featuring plaques for South Bay contributors; annual inductions, reaching the 21st event in 2025, honor figures spanning modern surfing eras. Surf movies premiered at the Pier Avenue Auditorium through the and , underscoring the area's cultural role in the sport. The Strand, a paved multi-use path established in Hermosa Beach in 1908, forms part of the 22-mile Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail along Los Angeles County beaches, enabling biking, skating, walking, and running with ocean views. This path connects Hermosa to adjacent beaches like and Redondo, supporting daily and longer coastal routes up to Pacific Palisades. City facilities include bike route networks and secure parking for equipment, promoting active transportation alongside leisure. and general play complement these pursuits, reflecting core outdoor traditions.

Arts, Events, and Media Presence

Hermosa Beach supports a modest local scene centered on and exhibitions. The Hermosa Beach , a 502-seat venue, hosts musical theater productions, performances, premieres, and variety shows. An adjacent 2nd Story Theatre provides an 80-seat intimate space for professional and community performances. The Gallery of Hermosa features works by local, national, and international artists, with rotating exhibits such as "Memory Lane" celebrating . The annual Hermosa Beach Fine Arts Festival, held June 7-8 on the Community Center lawn, showcases artists and supports scholarships through sponsorships. The city hosts several recurring events emphasizing music, crafts, and community gatherings. Fiesta Hermosa, occurring over weekend (May 23-25 in recent years), includes and crafts booths, live , and beach concerts. The Hermosa Beach Concert Series features free performances south of the pier on the two Sundays following at 3:00 p.m. Additional summer events like the Last Days of Summer Beach Concerts and outdoor movies are organized by the Hermosa Beach . Venues such as Saint Rocke host live rock and music performances attracting regional crowds. Media presence in Hermosa Beach is primarily through local South Bay publications covering community news, events, and sports. Easy Reader News provides in-depth local reporting on Hermosa Beach alongside Manhattan and Redondo Beach. The Beach Reporter, a weekly newspaper, focuses on the Beach Cities including Hermosa Beach, with sections on news, opinion, sports, and events. The Daily Breeze offers broader South Bay coverage, including investigative stories from its Pulitzer Prize-winning staff. The city maintains a 24/7 cable channel for government meetings and public information. Historically, the area supported early cinemas like the Metropolitan Theatre, which opened in 1923 with film premieres. Occasional filming occurs for television and film due to the coastal setting, as noted in regional production reports. Hermosa Beach has been a recurring filming location for films and television series, capitalizing on its beachfront setting and accessible infrastructure near Los Angeles production hubs. The 1976 horror film Carrie, directed by Brian De Palma, utilized the Hermosa Beach Community Center at 710 Pier Avenue for key interior scenes, including the infamous prom sequence where the gymnasium erupts in flames. This location choice reflected the era's practical considerations for period school interiors, with the center's facilities providing a controlled environment for special effects involving fire and destruction. In the 2016 musical , directed by , the duet "" between protagonists Mia and Sebastian was shot on location along Hermosa Beach streets, capturing the area's quiet residential vibe at dusk to evoke intimacy amid . The sequence, featuring and , highlighted the beach city's understated charm as a backdrop for spontaneous romance, aligning with the film's theme of pursuing dreams in . Additional productions include the 1990 comedy , which filmed exterior scenes at the intersection of 10th Street and Beach Drive, utilizing the strand's casual atmosphere for sanitation worker antics. The Sea Sprite Motel at 1016 The Strand appeared in episodes of , standing in for Neptune Beach in storylines involving coastal intrigue. Television series like incorporated Hermosa Beach exteriors to depict affluent teen beach culture, reinforcing the locale's association with sun-soaked leisure and social dynamics. These depictions often emphasize the city's courts and pier as symbols of carefree youth, though real-world filming logistics—such as permits and —have occasionally disrupted local access. In , Hermosa Beach embodies the archetype of the quintessential surf and haven, influencing portrayals in media that romanticize coastal athleticism and . Films like (1993) drew on the area's heritage for action sequences, blending with wave-riding tropes to appeal to adolescent audiences. Similarly, (1988) used beachfront homes to stage extraterrestrial family comedy, underscoring Hermosa's role in lighthearted sci-fi narratives set against everyday suburban beaches. Such representations, while stylized, stem from the city's documented history of hosting professional tournaments since the , which have shaped its image as a hub for competitive sand sports rather than mere leisure.

Education

Public Education System

The Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCSD) oversees public education for approximately 1,442 students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. Established in 1904, the district operates three schools: Hermosa View School (transitional kindergarten through first grade), Hermosa Vista School (grades two through four), and Hermosa Valley School (grades five through eight). These facilities include state-of-the-art infrastructure, with Hermosa Vista completed in February 2021 and Hermosa View recently reconstructed. Academic performance in HBCSD exceeds state averages, with 80% of students proficient in reading and 73% in based on state assessments. Alternative metrics report 81% proficiency in reading and 79% in for elementary levels. The district maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.17:1 as of the 2023-2024 school year, supported by 59.76 classroom teachers. Small district size fosters community engagement, with parents contributing through oversight committees and foundations funding supplemental programs exceeding $1.2 million annually. Upon completing eighth grade, Hermosa Beach residents select high school attendance between in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District or in the Redondo Beach Unified School District, a policy in place since 1993. This choice allows families to align with preferences in academics, extracurriculars, or proximity, though both schools rank highly statewide.

Private and Alternative Education Options

Our Lady of Guadalupe School, a Catholic institution in Hermosa Beach, provides education from through , integrating faith-based instruction with core academics in a close-knit Christian environment that reinforces family-taught values. Fusion Academy South Bay, located at 1601 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach, operates as an accredited one-to-one for grades 6-12, featuring customized schedules, individualized teaching, and small class sizes limited to one student per instructor to address unique learning needs. As of the 2025-26 school year, Hermosa Beach hosts three private schools collectively enrolling 433 students, a figure that contrasts with the 1,325 students in the local public system, reflecting limited on-site capacity and prompting many families to consider nearby options such as Valor Christian Academy for elementary and middle grades or Vistamar School for high school in the broader South Bay area. Alternative education pathways include access to charter schools in adjacent communities, notably the Da Vinci Science High School in El Segundo, which emphasizes STEM-focused curricula, and Environmental Charter High School in Redondo Beach, prioritizing environmental studies within a public charter framework. Homeschooling families in Hermosa Beach utilize California-specific private satellite programs (PSPs) for compliance and support, such as Coastal Academy in nearby Lomita, which provides record-keeping services, optional enrichment classes, field trips, and graduation options tailored to parent-directed instruction.

Public Services and Infrastructure

Parks, Recreation, and Public Spaces

Hermosa Beach encompasses 94 acres of public beach along approximately 2 miles of coastline, providing extensive space for activities such as sunbathing, , , and . The beach is regulated by the City of Hermosa Beach and County Department of Beaches and Harbors, with prohibitions on smoking and alcohol consumption enforced across the area. Adjacent to the beach runs The Strand, a paved multi-use path popular for , walking, and , connecting Hermosa Beach to neighboring coastal communities. The Hermosa Beach Pier, measuring 1,140 feet in length, was originally built in 1965 and underwent renovations in the early 2000s; it operates daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., subject to weather-related closures, and supports in accordance with Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations while banning dogs, bicycles, and diving. Public access to the pier and surrounding areas is managed to prioritize safety and environmental preservation, with violations reportable via the CalTIP hotline. Inland, the city maintains several parks open from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., including Valley Park, the largest at 8.75 acres located off Valley Drive and Gould Avenue, equipped with universally accessible playgrounds, swings, sports fields, basketball courts, and picnic facilities. Other notable parks such as and Greenbelt Park offer additional amenities including walking paths, courts, and green spaces for passive , contributing to the city's limited but utilized open areas. The Community Resources Department oversees programming, including rentals of facilities like courts and gymnasiums at the Community Center on Pier Avenue, as well as seasonal events such as beach concerts. The Hermosa Beach Police Department maintains detailed crime reporting through weekly logs, monthly activity summaries, and ten-year aggregated statistics, transitioning to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2021 for more comprehensive incident-level data rather than the prior Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) summary method. rates in Hermosa Beach remain low relative to national benchmarks, with an estimated annual rate of approximately 290 incidents per 100,000 residents based on 2021 data, yielding a victimization of 1 in 345—substantially below the U.S. of around 400 per 100,000. Property crimes, often involving thefts from vehicles or beach areas due to high seasonal , occur at higher rates, around 2,891 per 100,000 residents, reflecting the causal influence of transient visitors on opportunistic offenses in coastal communities. Long-term trends indicate a marked decline in overall from the late through 2018, with the rate dropping from 442 per 100,000 population in 1999 to 152 per 100,000 in 2018, a pattern consistent with broader improvements in policing and economic factors in affluent suburban areas. Post-2018 data shows stability in violent offenses, though property crimes have persisted at elevated levels amid California's statewide uptick in thefts during 2020–2023, potentially exacerbated by reduced enforcement during pandemic-related restrictions. The department's proactive measures, including public camera registration programs and integration with community alert apps like Ring Neighbors, aim to deter property crimes by enhancing and response efficacy in high-traffic zones such as the Strand and areas. Arrests and citations remain focused on quality-of-life violations, with monthly reports documenting consistent service calls averaging thousands annually, underscoring a community-oriented policing model that prioritizes prevention over reaction.

Homelessness Initiatives and Enforcement

Hermosa Beach has implemented several programs aimed at providing services to individuals experiencing while prioritizing public safety and sanitation. The Housing Initiative Court, operated in partnership with Redondo Beach, allows participants to have nonviolent charges or municipal code violations dismissed in exchange for completing judge-mandated services, including treatment, programs, and assistance; sessions occur monthly. The city collaborates with regional entities through the LA-HOP portal for countywide outreach and referrals, and maintains a via Harbor Interfaith Services for and support. Additional initiatives include the Beach Cities Mental Evaluation Team (MET), established in 2017 with County Department of Mental Health and neighboring cities, which responds to crises involving . The HB Cares program, funded by $1 million in federal grants, deploys mobile crisis response teams for non-emergency and incidents, reducing reliance on police dispatch. The city participates in the Functional Zero Street initiative via the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, targeting a balance where housed individuals exceed new arrivals to streets, with median street durations under 90 days. Annual point-in-time homeless counts are conducted with the Homeless Services Authority to inform resource allocation. Enforcement policies emphasize equal application of laws to prevent public camping and maintain accessible spaces. On March 27, 2025, the City Council adopted an ordinance expanding prohibitions on camping—defined as using public areas for sleeping or shelter—to all public property, beyond prior restrictions on beaches, the Strand, and parks; this followed the U.S. Supreme Court's Grants Pass decision affirming cities' authority to regulate such activities. Violations incur administrative citations, limited to one per seven days and dismissible through diversion services, with misdemeanor charges available for repeated non-compliance. The Hermosa Beach Police Department enforces these measures uniformly, integrating citations with outreach referrals where feasible. These actions aim to deter encampments that compromise sanitation and safety without alternative shelter mandates.

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