We are the Woods, and we’ve loved living in our home in the Hill Section for 19 years. 

 

When our two children were small, we were outgrowing our house in Redondo Beach with a tiny backyard. We were instantly “sold” on this home, because it offers so much interior space on an extra-large lot. Each of us had grown up in areas where having a large yard was almost routine, but that had been hard to find in Manhattan Beach.

 

Our home is nearly 5,000 square feet, with large bedrooms upstairs, a guest suite and dedicated office downstairs and – amazingly – a “cabana” out back with its own bath. We were able to utilize the cabana like an ADU while we had a nanny living with us. She had her own private quarters and parking. 

 

We’ve always appreciated how our primary bedroom suite is set off apart from the other bedrooms, with no common walls, almost in its own “wing” of the house. Meantime, the kids’ side of the house has its own upstairs living room. There, the kids could gather with friends, and even leave a mess sometimes that we didn’t have to see!

 

No doubt, our favorite feature is the large, private yard, made possible by our nearly 9000 sqft. lot. Here, we hosted all sorts of events as the kids grew up. We were always the “room parents” or “team parents” who could host get-togethers for everyone, in addition to birthdays and Super Bowl parties. We even hosted a “casino night” for a large group of adult friends recently, for one of our landmark birthdays, and our more than 150 guests were not the least bit cramped. 

 

Many people seem to find our house a little bit mysterious, because it is “hidden” behind tall, full hedges in front. When visitors come, they always comment that they had no idea what to expect, as they had never really “seen” the house. We have surely appreciated that extra measure of privacy. We also don’t have a neighbor on the west side, as we are on a corner with a very lightly trafficked alley. That is why many of our living spaces are bright.

 

Recently, we refreshed the home with a new double-island kitchen, fresh paint, new fixtures and new flooring. It really helped us to see our home in a new light, from the grand entry, with its curving staircase, to our large family room and bar just off the kitchen. We are always glad to share the space with new people!