This is the third post in the series of Neighborhood Chats that I started in October. My intent is to provide readers with possible insights into what life is like in each of the many neighborhoods of the South Bay. Today’s chat is with Max Yoffe, a resident of the Sand section area of Manhattan Beach. He currently lives there with his wife and their son.
Tony: How long have you lived in the South Bay for? Where did you move here from?
Max: I have lived in the South Bay since 1993. I originally moved from Boston. I first lived in a dumpy apartment building in Van Nuys next door to one of LA’s many Gangs. Strangely, I only stayed there for one month. My next place was a house in Hollywood next to a family that put on freak shows at local carnivals. While both places were very colorful, I fell in love with Manhattan Beach after visiting an old friend from college who lived down in the Sand section. Before that, I never realized you could have access to all a metropolis like LA had to offer, while living in a small beach town.
MB reminded me of living by the beach in Cape Cod, where I had spent many of my summers. If you have to live in LA, I believe it’s the best place to be because it’s a quaint beach town with a great sense of community which is filled with great eateries, cool bars and numerous coffee shops — all within walking distance if you live in the Sand section. If you like to leave your car in the garage for the weekend and enjoy being outside and spending time with family and friends in the many small parks, eateries and cafes, you’ll like MB.
Tony: Have you lived in the Manhattan Beach Sand section the entire time you’ve been in the South Bay?
Max: I have always lived in the sand section because if I was going to live by the beach I wanted to see the beach and be within close walking distance of the ocean. I also enjoy leaving my car keys away for the weekend and just walking everywhere.
However, now that I have a toddler, I am thinking about moving a few blocks east to get a house with a backyard and a driveway. It’s ocean view vs. a backyard. I will still be within walking distance of the beach and downtown. They call that area the Tree section and it’s filled with lots of families and yes, you’ve guessed it — lots of trees (for a coastal desert town).
Tony: What is it that drew you into this area?
Max: Sense of community.
Great friends, small town atmosphere, interesting group of well educated, independent and successful residents.
Clean and beautiful.
Sand, Sun, Ocean and Fun.
Great schools.
From the sand section you can easily walk to the beach or the many eateries, coffee shops and bagel spots in downtown MB. Having a toddler and a dog, the Sand section is very convenient. There are two great Tot parks a block from my house and being MB, they are stacked with all kinds of cool toys that are cleaned every day. The dog park is located between the two Tot parks and there is a two mile green belt on Valley which used to be the area where the train tracks were.
MB has amazing schools and most are just a few blocks away. I have a top rated elementary school only two blocks from our house. And if you like Tennis, there are a half dozen tennis courts for the residence, also a block from my house.
Tony: Do you have any favorite restaurants or other places that you like to go to here?
Max: Petros has great food and their grilled octopus is fantastic. Rock N Fish, Fonz’s and Mangiamo’s are my other top three. Octopus is great for Sushi and not too pricey. Sashi, for sushi and ambiance, but go with the Platinum. Shade is always a great place to start the night for a cocktail. And if you want to find the locals, try Ercoles. Sunday brunch outside with the kids and dogs at Metlox.
Tony: Do you have any insider’s tips for people thinking of moving to this part of the South Bay?
Max: Rent or buy (if you can afford) West of PC and South of Rosecrans.
Tony: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Max: Every time I get the itch to go on vacation and think of all the places I would like to visit, I always come back to wanting to vacation at a place like MB. So be warned, if you move here, you may never want to leave.
Tony: Thank you so much for your time Max.
Max: My pleasure.
Max owns a production company and lives with his wife and son in Manhattan Beach’s sand section.
Marian and Max Yoffe
