Neighborhood Spotlight: Signal Hill

With a population of just over 11,000, Signal Hill is one of those rare communities that is completely surrounded by another city — in this case, Long Beach. As the name implies, Signal Hill is situated on top of a 365-foot hill that was once used by the Tongva Indians to build signal fires that could be seen 26 miles away on Catalina Island. Now it’s part of one of the most productive oil fields in the world and has become a tight-knit residential community with some of the best views in the Southland.

Signal Hill at a glance

Signal Hill is located in Los Angeles County and is considered a suburb of L.A. It has a decidedly mixed urban/suburban feel that is common among the communities of Greater Los Angeles. Here you’ll find a great variety of shops, restaurants, and parks, making it an excellent place for families and young professionals. Signal Hill boasts some of the best public schools in the area, and even though it is only 2.2 square miles in size, it’s home to several parks, many of which feature beautiful public art. It’s not surprising to learn, then, that many artists and creative types call Signal Hill home, and it’s a city of great diversity.

Real estate in Signal Hill

Although real estate prices tend to be on the high side in Signal Hill — the median home price is approximately $520,000 — it is still quite affordable when compared to many other cities in Southern California. Most of the homes in Signal Hill were built in 1970 or later, and the majority of homes are single-family residences or townhouses. Over the last ten years, homes here have had some of the highest appreciation rates in the country, ranking in the top 10 percent. For that reason, buying a home here is a solid, long-term investment opportunity.

History of Signal Hill

Originally known as “Los Cerritos”, Signal Hill was part of the first large land grant allotted under Spanish rule. During this time, the area overlooked grazing herds of cattle and horses as well as the San Pedro harbor, a busy trading port. However, the Spanish were completely unaware of the huge store of oil that lay under the hill. It wasn’t until 1921 that the Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company hit an underground reservoir that held almost one billion barrels of black gold. Soon the hillside was covered with wooden oil derricks that ushered in the boomtown era. The city was incorporated in 1924 and was the first city in California to elect a female mayor, Mrs. Jessie Nelson. Most of the oil derricks are gone now, replaced by luxury homes that capitalize on the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Wonderful community amenities

One of the best perks of living in Signal Hill is having access to several top-notch public parks. The ten-acre Signal Hill Park features a variety of playing fields as well as an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts in the summer months. Another outstanding park is Hilltop Park, which includes many telescopes for admiring the views below. On a clear day, you can see downtown Los Angeles and Catalina Island. It’s also a popular place to search for geocaches.

Shopping is a breeze in Signal Hill. The city is home to many well-known stores such as Costco, Home Depot, and Target. Getting to and from Signal Hill is easy, with quick access to the 405 and Long Beach Airport. The community also benefits from its close proximity to Long Beach, where residents can enjoy a thriving nightlife with many trendy bars, restaurants, and cultural attractions like the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Excellent schools

Students in Signal Hill are served by the Long Beach Unified School District. It is home to three public elementary schools including Signal Hill Elementary School, which has won the California Achieving Schools Award and the National Achieving Schools Award. It, along with Juan Bautista Alvarado Elementary School, is also a California Distinguished School. High school students usually attend Long Beach Polytechnic High School or Long Beach Wilson Classical High School. California State University, Long Beach, is less than five miles away.

Explore Signal Hill today

For those that want a high quality of life while enjoying everything that the Greater Los Angeles area has to offer, then Signal Hill is a fantastic choice. View the available properties in Signal Hill and schedule a private showing today!