Bixby Terrace Homes For Sale

Welcome to Bixby Terrace, CA

Bixby Terrace is one of those Long Beach neighborhoods that locals know and many newcomers drive past without noticing. It sits just east of the Bixby Knolls commercial core and is built almost entirely of single-story, post-war homes on wide lots. It is a quiet, residential pocket with curving streets, attached garages, and long-term owners, and it lets you live close to Atlantic Avenue's restaurants and events without living on top of them.

We have helped buyers and sellers across North and Central Long Beach for more than two decades. This guide covers what we think matters most about Bixby Terrace: where it begins and ends, how its homes differ from those in the neighborhoods around it, and who tends to be happiest living here.

Where Is Bixby Terrace? Location and Neighborhood Boundaries

Bixby Terrace sits in the central part of Long Beach, south of the 91 Freeway and immediately east of the Bixby Knolls business district. Four major streets frame it, which makes its edges easier to define than those of many Long Beach micro-neighborhoods:

The western edge is where buyers most often get confused. Depending on which original subdivision map you consult, homes between Atlantic and Orange may or may not be marketed as Bixby Terrace. When we evaluate a property near that line, we look at the tract history and the nearby sales rather than the label on a listing. The name alone can affect how a home is priced and perceived.

Inside those four streets, the layout faces inward. The internal streets curve and carry little through traffic. Somerset Park anchors the northern edge along Carson Street. The result feels suburban even though freeways and major shopping are only minutes away.

The History Behind Bixby Terrace and the Bixby Legacy

The Bixby name appears throughout Long Beach for a reason. After the severe drought of 1863–1864 ruined many of the region's cattle ranchers, brothers Llewellyn and Jotham Bixby, their cousin Benjamin Bixby, and partner Thomas Flint bought large portions of the former Spanish and Mexican land grants, including Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos.

Jotham Bixby, often called the "Father of Long Beach," first ran sheep on the land. It later moved into cattle, sugar beet farming, and eventually real estate development. As Southern California grew in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Bixby Land Company subdivided its agricultural holdings into residential tracts. Those tracts became many of the neighborhoods Long Beach is known for today, including Bixby Knolls, California Heights, and Bixby Highlands.

Bixby Terrace came later than most of its neighbors. Bixby Knolls and California Heights grew mainly in the 1920s and 1930s. Bixby Terrace was built during the post-World War II housing boom of the late 1940s and 1950s. Developers aimed it at returning veterans and young, growing families, and the homes show it: wide lots, attached garages, open living areas, and single-story plans that matched the new idea of Southern California suburban life. That later start is what gives Bixby Terrace its own identity, even though it shares the Bixby name and sits right next to its better-known neighbor.

Bixby Terrace vs. Bixby Knolls: Understanding the Difference

Buyers often search for "Bixby" and assume the neighborhoods are interchangeable. They aren't. They share a family history and a border, but they differ in era, walkability, and daily life. Bixby Knolls is the cultural and commercial anchor of the area. Bixby Terrace is the quieter residential neighborhood next door.

In practice, the choice usually comes down to one question: do you want to walk to dinner, or do you want a quiet street and a big backyard a short drive from dinner? Buyers drawn to 1920s character homes usually end up in Bixby Knolls or California Heights. Buyers who want single-level living, a functional garage, and outdoor space usually find Bixby Terrace a better fit.

Homes and Architecture in Bixby Terrace

Bixby Terrace looks more consistent than most Long Beach neighborhoods. Because most of it was built within about fifteen years, the streetscape feels unified: long, low homes set back on wide frontages, with most of the design attention going to the backyard.

California Ranch Homes

The California Ranch is the defining style here. Most were built in the late 1940s and 1950s, and they share a low, horizontal profile, low-pitched gable or hip roofs, broad street frontages, and large picture windows. Many still have their original brick or stone accents. Inside, the layouts reflect post-war family life: a central living area, generous built-in storage, and direct access to the backyard. These layouts adapt well to modern open-concept remodels.

Mid-Century Modern Influences

Some tracts show lighter mid-century modern design from the 1950s and 1960s. Look for clean geometric lines, clerestory windows, exposed post-and-beam ceilings, and sliding glass doors that connect indoor and outdoor living. When these features have survived intact, they draw strong interest from buyers who specifically want them.

Custom Ranch Variations

Bixby Terrace is not a copy-and-paste tract. Many homes were built with variations in siding, porch placement, and decorative stonework, so neighboring houses often share a style without being identical. One feature is nearly universal: the attached two-car garage built into the front of the house. That is a clear break from older Long Beach neighborhoods, where long side driveways and detached rear garages are the norm. For many buyers it is a practical advantage, not just a style difference.

The Bixby Terrace Real Estate Market

Bixby Terrace is a low-inventory market. It is almost entirely single-family homes, and owners tend to stay a long time, so relatively few homes come up for sale in a given year. When a well-prepared home does, it rarely lasts long.

As a general reference, median home values across the greater Bixby area have been in the range of roughly $890,000 to $980,000 and up. Homes in Bixby Terrace often sell for more than that depending on lot size and how thoroughly they have been renovated. Sales have typically fallen in the range of about $600 to $650 or more per square foot. These are broad figures, and pricing in a neighborhood this small depends heavily on individual sales. A fully remodeled Ranch on an oversized lot and an original-condition home a block away can sell for very different amounts, and a sound pricing strategy accounts for that.

In recent sales, we see Bixby Terrace buyers fall into two groups. One group wants original post-war character: hardwood floors, brick fireplaces, and plaster details that have never been covered up. The other wants a fully updated, open-concept home ready to move into. Knowing which group a particular home appeals to affects how it should be prepared, marketed, and priced.

The single-story plans also give the neighborhood a wide appeal. Young families value the yard space and easy layout, and downsizers and retirees value living without stairs. The lots are larger than in many older Long Beach neighborhoods, which leaves real room for pools, expanded outdoor living areas, or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). That flexibility adds long-term value that doesn't show up in a simple price-per-square-foot comparison.

Parks, Green Space, and Outdoor Recreation

Bixby Terrace is mostly residential, but residents have good access to parks both on the neighborhood's edge and a short drive away.

Somerset Park, at 1500 E. Carson Street on the northern boundary, is the neighborhood's own park. The four-acre space has lighted basketball courts, tennis courts, a children's playground, picnic tables, and shaded lawn. It is where youth sports, morning joggers, and evening dog walkers cross paths, and for many residents it is the center of neighborhood life.

Scherer Park, across Atlantic Avenue, is one of Long Beach's larger parks at about 26 acres. It has ponds, a dedicated dog park, walking and biking paths, a community center, and wide fields for sports. It is the place for longer weekend walks and community events.

The historic, private Virginia Country Club is also nearby, close to the original Rancho Los Cerritos site. Even for non-members, its grounds contribute mature trees and open green space to the surrounding area. Public golfers typically head to Heartwell Golf Course or Skylinks at Long Beach, both about five to ten minutes away by car.

Schools Serving Bixby Terrace

Bixby Terrace is served by the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), which is known across the state for its academic programs and its school choice options. Assignments depend on the specific address, so families should confirm a property's attendance boundaries with LBUSD before relying on any particular school.

For elementary grades, most homes are assigned to Longfellow Elementary or Los Cerritos Elementary. Both have strong reputations for academics and active parent involvement. Students then typically attend Charles Evans Hughes Middle School in nearby Bixby Knolls, which is known for its music, STEM, and honors programs.

At the high school level, families usually look at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, known for its PACE magnet program and its long athletic tradition, or Lakewood High School, which offers specialized academies. Through LBUSD's high school choice process, students can also apply to specialized campuses such as the Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science and the California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS).

Families looking beyond the public system have options nearby. St. Barnabas Parish School is a Catholic TK–8 school in neighboring Bixby Knolls, and Intellectual Virtues Academy is a public charter option in the area.

Shopping, Dining, and Everyday Conveniences Nearby

The neighborhood itself is quiet, but commercial areas surround it on every side. That combination is one of the main reasons buyers choose it.

The Atlantic Avenue corridor, a few blocks west, is the commercial center of Bixby Knolls. It has independent restaurants, coffee shops, craft breweries, and bakeries. Nearby SteelCraft Long Beach is a popular outdoor dining spot made from converted shipping containers. The corridor's best-known event is First Fridays, a monthly art walk with food trucks, live music, and pop-up vendors that draws people from all over Long Beach. Bixby Terrace residents are close enough to go every month and far enough away that the crowds don't reach their street.

Everyday errands are easy. The Bixby Knolls Shopping Center near Atlantic Avenue and Carson Street covers the basics with Trader Joe's, a fitness center, banks, and pharmacies. More retail along Orange Avenue and Carson Street handles home goods, clothing, and hardware. Target, ALDI, Ralphs, and Smart & Final Extra! are all within about a five-minute drive.

For a bigger outing, the Long Beach Exchange (LBX) at Carson Street and Lakewood Boulevard is about ten minutes east. Its main attraction is The Hangar, a 17,000-square-foot indoor food hall with local vendors and craft beer. The center also has Whole Foods Market, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and several boutique fitness studios.

Getting Around: Commuting and Freeway Access

Bixby Terrace is well placed for households that commute in more than one direction. The streets that form its boundaries lead quickly to three major freeways:

• I-405 (San Diego Freeway) is less than two miles south via Atlantic or Orange Avenue. It connects to Orange County (Irvine, John Wayne Airport) and West Los Angeles (LAX, Santa Monica).
• I-710 (Long Beach Freeway) is just west via Carson Street. It runs north to Downtown Los Angeles and south to the Port of Long Beach and Downtown Long Beach.
• CA-91 (Artesia Freeway) is north of the neighborhood. It provides east-west access to inland Los Angeles County, North Orange County, and the I-605.

Typical drive times from Bixby Terrace:

For those who would rather not drive, Long Beach Transit runs Route 61 along Atlantic Avenue and Routes 21 and 22 along Cherry Avenue, both next to the neighborhood. The Metro A Line is also close, with the Wardlow and Del Amo stations about five to ten minutes away by car or bike. The A Line runs north to Downtown LA and south to Downtown Long Beach, a real advantage for anyone who wants to skip the 710 at rush hour.

Is Bixby Terrace the Right Fit for You?

Bixby Terrace offers a specific trade: a quiet, cohesive, mid-century neighborhood right next to one of Long Beach's liveliest commercial and cultural streets. For the right buyer, it is hard to beat.

It tends to suit people who want a consistent streetscape of post-war Ranch homes with wide frontages and attached garages, and who value interior streets without commercial cut-through traffic. It works well for families raising kids, dog owners who walk every evening, and anyone who wants Bixby Knolls' restaurants, breweries, and First Fridays within reach without living on a busy corridor. Commuters who split time between LA and Orange County also benefit from having the 405, 710, and 91 all nearby.

It may be less suitable in a few cases. If you love 1920s Spanish Revival, Craftsman, or Tudor architecture, Bixby Knolls or California Heights will likely suit you better. If you want to walk out your front door to a coffee shop, homes closer to the Atlantic Avenue core, or neighborhoods like Belmont Shore, offer more walkability. If you need a large multi-story floor plan, keep in mind that Bixby Terrace is almost entirely single-story. Getting that kind of space here usually means a custom addition rather than an existing home.

Buying or Selling a Home in Bixby Terrace with The Elmer Team

In a neighborhood where a few homes a year can shape the market, local knowledge makes a real difference. Melinda Elmer has been a Long Beach real estate professional since 2003. She is consistently ranked among the top 1% of agents, has been recognized by the Women's Council of REALTORS®, and is a multi-year recipient of Los Angeles Magazine's Five Star rating. Melinda is also a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE) and a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES). Those credentials matter in an established neighborhood like Bixby Terrace, where many homes change hands after decades of ownership, through estate transitions, or during major life changes that call for careful, neutral guidance.

The Elmer Team takes a team approach built on listening first. That means pricing a home against the sales that are actually comparable, preparing it for the buyers most likely to want it, and giving each client personal attention throughout. If you are thinking about buying or selling in Bixby Terrace, or you'd just like to know what your home might be worth, contact Melinda at (562) 316-2915 or [email protected]. The Elmer Team | Century 21 Masters, CA DRE #1399946.