Poly High

At a Glance

• Neighborhood: Poly High Area
• City / ZIP: Long Beach, CA 90805 / 90806 / 90813
• Property Types: California Bungalows (1900s–1920s), eclectic mix of styles and ages
• Best Known For: Long Beach Polytechnic High School, affordability, historic housing stock
• Adjacent To: Downtown Long Beach, Bixby Knolls, Wrigley

Overview

The Poly High area sits just north of Downtown Long Beach and is one of the oldest parts of the city. The neighborhood takes its name from Long Beach Polytechnic High School — one of the most storied public high schools in California, known for its athletic and academic alumni. Housing here is genuinely eclectic, spanning many types, ages, and styles, with a significant share of California Bungalows dating to the 1900s, 1910s, and 1920s.

A Storied School, A Storied Neighborhood

Long Beach Poly's reputation extends well beyond Long Beach — its athletic and arts programs have produced an unusually large number of professional athletes, musicians, and notable alumni relative to its size, and the school itself is a genuine point of civic pride. For the surrounding neighborhood, that history is part of the identity: this is one of Long Beach's original residential areas, with architecture to match.

Real Estate Snapshot

The Poly High area is one of Long Beach's three most affordable neighborhoods, alongside North Long Beach and the Westside. Recent listings have run with a median around $710,000, and the neighborhood sees strong buyer interest — homes typically receive multiple offers. The age and variety of the housing stock means condition varies significantly from block to block.

Lifestyle & Culture

The neighborhood's proximity to Downtown Long Beach means restaurants, the Pike Outlets, the waterfront, and the Metro A-Line are all close by. The area itself is largely residential, with the historic character of its bungalow housing stock as its primary draw.

Schools

The Poly High area is served by Long Beach Unified School District, with Long Beach Polytechnic High School — one of the most recognized public high schools in California — as the area's namesake and primary high school.

Getting Around

The Poly High area's central location near Downtown Long Beach provides easy access to the 710 and 405 freeways, with the Metro A-Line offering rail access to Downtown Los Angeles.

Is the Poly High Area Right for You?

The Poly High area suits buyers prioritizing affordability and historic housing stock close to Downtown Long Beach. The tradeoff is the variability that comes with an old, eclectic neighborhood — condition, lot size, and block character differ meaningfully from street to street. For buyers who do their homework and want one of Long Beach's best-value entry points with genuine historic character, it's worth a close look.