Bruce's Beach Verified listing

A historic decision returned this Manhattan Beach land to the people who made it a thriving oceanfront resort for Black families in the early 1900s.

More than a place for public play, the Black-owned Bruce's Beach in the South Bay of Los Angeles County is a landmark of historical significance. Located in the laid-back coastal community of Manhattan Beach, the oldest park site in town was purchased in 1912 by Willa and Charles Bruce.

Today, visitors can continue to visit Bruce’s Beach at Highland and 27th Street. Nestled between Manhattan Beach’s closely spaced multiple-million-dollar homes, the park provides a welcome respite—a three-block stretch of greenery to catch your breath and picnic under the shade of a tree.

If you’re not shooting hoops on the half-court or enjoying sunset views over the Pacific Ocean, stop and read the plaque affixed to the commemorative monument at the top of the hill. Soon, the outdated, whitewashed retelling of the park’s history will be replaced with a historically accurate story of the Bruce family legacy—a reminder for future generations that it’s never too late to reject hate and move forward to correct an injustice.