La Marina Estates

At a Glance

• Neighborhood: La Marina Estates
• City / ZIP: Long Beach, CA 90815
• Property Types: Single-family homes (1950s custom and tract)
• Best Known For: Large lots, proximity to CSULB and Los Altos, remodel potential
• Adjacent To: Los Altos, College Park Estates, Bixby Hill

Overview

La Marina Estates is a small, 245-home tract just east of California State University, Long Beach, bordered by Atherton Street, Palo Verde Avenue, Anaheim Road, and the Los Cerritos Channel. What sets it apart from most Long Beach neighborhoods of its era is lot size — typically 7,600 to 10,000 square feet, well above the 5,000- to 6,500-square-foot lots common elsewhere in the city.

Two Neighborhoods in One

La Marina Estates is effectively split in two. The three southern streets feature custom-built homes averaging around 2,500 square feet on the largest lots in the neighborhood. The northern section is a more traditional 1955–56 tract of "junior executive" homes, originally 1,250 to 1,600 square feet with 1.75 baths — many of which have since been substantially expanded and remodeled.

Real Estate Snapshot

La Marina Estates is a neighborhood where lot size drives opportunity. Original tract homes in the northern section represent some of the best remodel and addition potential in this part of Long Beach, given the oversized lots, while the custom homes to the south already reflect that potential realized. Turnover is low — some homes haven't been on the market in decades.

Lifestyle & Culture

The neighborhood's proximity to Los Altos puts shopping and restaurants within easy reach, while CSULB is close enough for a short commute or walk. The Los Cerritos Channel borders the neighborhood's eastern edge, offering a walking and biking path connection toward the marina.

Schools

La Marina Estates is served by Long Beach Unified School District, with several well-regarded elementary and middle schools in the surrounding Los Altos/College Park Estates area feeding into nearby comprehensive high schools.

Getting Around

Proximity to the 405 and PCH makes La Marina Estates convenient for commuters, with Seal Beach, Belmont Shore, and 2nd Street all just minutes away by car.

Is La Marina Estates Right for You?

La Marina Estates is ideal for buyers who want significantly more land than typical Long Beach lots offer, whether to enjoy as-is or to expand. The tradeoff is that homes rarely come to market, and many require updating to reach their full potential. For buyers with a long-term view — or a project in mind — it's one of the best lot-size opportunities in east Long Beach.