Del Aire - Hawthorne, CA Area Guide

Like many Los Angeles suburbs, Holly Glen - Del Aire was first constructed during the post-war period to meet the demands of the baby boom. Many of the homes in this area are tract homes on individual lots, constructed during the 1950's and 1960's. Tightly encompassed by Hawthorne to the east and the corporate strip of El Segundo to the west, the area remains primarily single family one-story dwellings, though new condominium projects along the southwestern part of this neighborhood have recently made it to the market. Residents of Holly Glen - Del Aire are intensely invested in their community, with a strong Neighborhood Association that promotes civic involvement and sponsors local events such as the weekly farmers market and story times for kids at the Wiseburn Library.

Holly Glen - Del Aire is primarily a residential neighborhood, and as such there are few restaurants within its borders. But this neighborhood is only minutes away from some of the best spots in the South Bay. Just a few minutes west is El Segundo's charming Old Town district, recently revitalized with new bars and restaurants around the city's hidden gem: The Old Town Music Hall, home to a Mighty Wulitzer Theater Pipe Organ. Enjoy a classic film or a ragtime concert in this intimate jewel box of a theater. After the show, you can grab a drink at a one of the many nearby neighborhood watering holes. Make a new friend at local-friendly bar The Tavern on Main. Locals love the atmosphere here and rave about the burgers. Sip retro cocktails in style at the Purple Orchid Tiki Lounge, or watch the game in the cozy old-school Old Town Patio sports bar. If you're looking for a younger scene in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, head further south down to Manhattan Beach's Highland Ave for a pub crawl through some of the best beach bars in the world. Local fixture The Kettle Restaurant is open 24 hours, serving tasty diner fare with a California twist to hungry surfers, families and other beach goers.

Holly Glen - Del Aire is a commuter suburb of Los Angeles, nestled right against the 405 and the 105 freeways. Most people travel the area by car on the beautifully maintained roads. For local travel from home to school or to parks, many families do choose to walk instead. Holly Glen - Del Aire has wide sidewalks and well-lit streets. A popular bike path/walking trail runs north to south along Glasgow Place - though it is primarily used by the community for exercise and recreation instead of transportation.

Holly Glen - Del Aire is home to two neighborhood parks. The Glasgow Park runs along Glasgow Place for just under a mile. Previously an unfinished strip of land between the freeway and the residential homes, it has been outfitted with beautiful landscaping and a winding pressed earth path that is popular with joggers, bikers and dog walkers. Right across from Glasgow Park is Holly Glen Park - an all purpose park kept in top-notch condition. Here you'll find an enclosed playground for children with swings and two expansive play structures for different age ranges. Outside the play area are picnic tables spread out for privacy between sheltering shade trees and a popular wading pool open in the summer months for neighborhood children. You'll also find open air basketball courts and enclosed tennis courts, home to pick-up matches and lessons for local kids and adults.

Holly Glen - Del Aire is a surprisingly affordable neighborhood, given its location and its upscale appearance. It attracts primarily middle-class and upper middle-class families priced out of the beach cities to the west. A modest one- or two-bedroom apartment will run you about $2,000 per month. Compared with the seven figure homes a few blocks west or south, you can see how the neighborhood is a bargain for families working for the major aerospace and industrial corporations in nearby El Segundo and Torrance. Because of its proximity to the freeways, the prominent gas stations within the neighborhood tend to be more expensive - but savvy locals know to head to their local Costco or to one of the discount chains further back from the freeway exits for better prices that are more in line with the county averages.

Holly Glen - Del Aire offers some of the best shopping opportunities in Los Angeles - especially for budget-conscious, food-loving families and individuals. Just on the southern border of the neighborhood is one of the city's best Costco warehouse stores which is always bustling. To the west is an expansive, state-of-the art Whole Foods for high-end gourmet and organic foods to satisfy even the fussiest foodies. You'll also find a few standard grocery stores, including the much beloved chain Trader Joe's. For clothes and home goods, many turn to the Plaza El Segundo, located on the western edge of town. This expanding outdoor mall features a mix of big box stores and national chains as well as smaller boutiques, restaurants and even a yoga studio and dance school. Many more stores can be found further just to the south at Manhattan Beach's Manhattan Village, where you can do anything from pick up the latest iPhone to browse adorable outfits for your infant at Gymboree and Janie and Jack.