Great Streets

There has been some action in the treasured Teen Streets this year. If you've been looking to get in on one of these sweet blocks near downtown, there have been chances.

Three of those listings have been on 18th St., arguably the best of a small group of streets (16th-20th), mainly because of its unique, winding pathway from Highland Ave. to the beach. 

On occasion of a recent visit to 112 18th, the newest listing on the block, down at Ocean Ave., we shot a little video walking along the block.

Here's our brief tour of the block. Enjoy. (Email subscribers, please use this link to see the video.)

Here are links to the 2 other properties mentioned in the video: 201 18th (list: $12.875M) and 228 18th ($4.2M).

We sang the praises of 18th St. for the first…

…

Seventh Street in the South End is one of those fabled Manhattan Beach walkstreets. As much or more than others, this one is a kid's paradise.

7th is a flat stretch that goes all the way from Crest to Valley – no break at Ingleside. On a recent stroll we counted no fewer than 3 playhouses, 4 basketball hoops (of varying sizes) and a tetherball post in the walkstreet. It's a playground.

7th boasts a number of beach cottages that are well-kept and have preserved their original charm. Many of the entrances are warm and welcoming, embracing the walkstreet. (We cringe when we see walkstreet homes that are tucked behind fences or don't have a patio or deck fronting the public areas – why bother being on a walkstreet?)

On 7th, you'll also see a handful of new homes…

The Strand is a 2-mile-long playground. It's hardly a street, since there are no cars – just walkers, joggers, baby strollers and dogs. And the occasional party spillover, toddler meanderings and games of dominoes.

Still, The Strand is a Great Street, and a distinguishing feature of MB. It's both very public and very exclusive. Anyone can visit, but only the elite few can buy in.

It's a bit funny now to imagine that when Manhattan Beach was first founded, living on The Strand could be a hassle. The big problem: Blowing sand. It would bury yards, patios and the wooden boardwalk, piling up on windowsills and rooftops. And there were the beachfront train tracks (where the bike path is now) plus electrical poles ruining the sight lines.

Our ancestors gradually…

If you're going to live in the Tree Section, you'll probably want to see some trees. How about a canopy? Then you should be looking at 31st St., one of MB's great streets.

In the stretch of 31st between Laurel and Blanche, and particularly between Agnes and Blanche, the feel of the street is that of somewhere else. Tall trees give 31st an East Coast or even college-town feel. Afternoon sun filters through the leaves to create a bright but calm and shady, sleepy atmosphere. On the few days a year that we have in MB that are truly warm, 31st is a respite.

There's something else that raises 31st above the rest: Street-to-alley lots. Much of MB would be far better, comfier and more human-friendly if it had been laid out like 31st. We're so accustomed to narrow…