Bruce’s Beach is a City-operated park in Manhattan Beach, California, at 2600 Highland Ave. The site recalls the seaside resort Willa and Charles Bruce created for the Black community, as well as the city’s racially motivated condemnation of their property.
- Location: 2600 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
- Park amenity: basketball courts
- Before you go: Check the City of Manhattan Beach’s official site before you go for current access information.
Where is Bruce’s Beach?
Bruce’s Beach is at 2600 Highland Ave in Manhattan Beach, California. It is a City-operated park, and Los Angeles County identifies the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Administration Building as occupying the site of the Bruce family’s former resort.
A hotel near Bruce’s Beach is about a 5-minute drive from the park. The Los Angeles County listing identifies basketball courts among the park’s amenities.
Why does Bruce’s Beach matter?
Bruce’s Beach matters because the site’s history connects a Black-owned seaside resort with the loss of the Bruce family’s property through eminent domain.
Willa Bruce purchased two lots along the Strand in Manhattan Beach in 1912 and 1920. She and Charles Bruce operated Bruce’s Lodge, which welcomed Black beachgoers from Los Angeles and beyond. Los Angeles County describes hostility and racism from some white residents as the resort grew popular.
In 1924, the Manhattan Beach City Council voted to condemn the Bruce resort site and surrounding land through eminent domain. The County describes the action as racially motivated. The City later built a park on land behind the resort and other shoreline property in 1956.
The park took the Bruce’s Beach name in 2007, following local efforts. Los Angeles County says it returned ownership of the property to the legal heirs of Charles and Willa Bruce on July 20, 2022, and leases the land for continued lifeguard-facility use.
How should you plan a visit and check access?
Plan to visit the public park, and check the City of Manhattan Beach’s official site before you go for current access conditions. The site includes a lifeguard administration building, and City-operated facilities can have access rules that differ by area.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 6 AM–10 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Parking-permit details are specifically for Manhattan Beach residents: overnight permits for the 26th Street Lot, also called Bruce’s Beach, cost $30 for three months, with up to two permits per address. The permits apply only to the designated lot, not other lots or street parking.
For the historical context, the City’s adopted plaque text says Willa and Charles Bruce acquired property along the Strand to create a beach resort for the Black community on February 19, 1912. The resort site and its history are part of the place itself, so keep the visit focused on the public park and its setting.
Nearby routes and respectful visiting
Bruce’s Beach is a coastal park, so you can combine time at the site with a walk in the surrounding area. Keep to public routes and follow any posted access directions; the park occupies land connected to a history of racial discrimination and property loss.
If you are planning a broader day in the area, the one-day Manhattan Beach itinerary offers a way to fit the landmark into a wider visit.
FAQs
Is Bruce’s Beach a park?
Yes. Bruce’s Beach is a City-operated park in Manhattan Beach.
What remains at the site of Bruce’s Lodge?
Los Angeles County identifies its Lifeguard Administration Building as occupying the site of the Bruce family’s former resort.
Who was Bruce’s Lodge for?
Willa and Charles Bruce operated the seaside resort for the Black community. It welcomed Black beachgoers from Los Angeles and beyond.
Can you park overnight at Bruce’s Beach?
The City provides overnight permits for the 26th Street Lot, also called Bruce’s Beach, for Manhattan Beach residents. The permit applies only to that designated lot.