Hillbrook

Signal Hill is a small, incorporated city completely surrounded by Long Beach, sitting atop a hill that once served as a signal point for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and later became one of Southern California's most productive oil fields. That history still marks the landscape, and the elevated terrain gives the city a distinct identity within Los Angeles County. Despite covering just three square miles and a population of roughly 11,000, Signal Hill functions as its own municipality with an independent city government and a well-regarded public school district. The local economy draws on proximity to Long Beach's port, healthcare, and commercial sectors, all reachable within minutes. Renters here find a mix of apartment communities and townhomes, with options ranging from modest studios to multi-bedroom layouts, generally at a lower price point than neighboring Long Beach. Hilltop Park and Signal Hill Park offer open space with sweeping views of the basin and coastline.