City Guide
El Segundo
South Bay Industrial Heritage
The Second One: How a refinery company town on Santa Monica Bay grew into a diverse South Bay community
El Segundo occupies a compact footprint on the Santa Monica Bay, bordered by Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, and Los Angeles. Named for Chevron's second California refinery — "the second one" in Spanish — the city developed as a company town before evolving into a residential community with a substantial industrial and aerospace employment base. Its location near Los Angeles International Airport and the Pacific coast positions El Segundo within the South Bay's network of beach cities and employment centers.
Indigenous and Early History
The El Segundo area lies within the ancestral territory of the Tongva people, whose coastal villages utilized the resources of Santa Monica Bay and inland wetlands. Seasonal gathering, fishing, and trade along the shoreline formed part of sustained indigenous land use prior to Spanish colonization.
During the rancho era, the land formed portions of Rancho Sausal Redondo and Rancho San Pedro. The flat coastal plain supported cattle grazing and limited agriculture, with the landscape largely undeveloped until the early 20th century when oil refining and industrial development transformed the South Bay.
Founding and Early Development
Standard Oil Company (later Chevron) selects the site for its second California refinery, giving rise to the name El Segundo.
El Segundo incorporates on January 18, establishing municipal governance for workers and residents associated with the refinery.
Residential neighborhoods develop to house refinery employees and their families.
Aerospace and defense contractors establish operations, diversifying the local economy beyond petroleum.
The city's early layout reflected industrial priorities, with worker housing, company facilities, and supporting commercial services organized near the refinery and rail connections. El Segundo's incorporation allowed residents to manage local services and land use as industrial activity expanded along the coast.
Twentieth-Century Growth
World War II and the Cold War accelerated aerospace and defense employment in El Segundo. Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and other contractors established major facilities, drawing engineers, technicians, and support staff to the South Bay. The refinery continued operations, making El Segundo one of the few cities where heavy industry and residential neighborhoods coexist in close proximity.
Postwar housing tracts expand the city's residential areas south of the industrial zone.
The Plaza El Segundo and commercial development along Sepulveda Boulevard add retail and dining options.
Downtown revitalization and new residential projects near the coast reflect shifting land use priorities.
The city maintained a reputation for strong municipal services, well-regarded schools, and a small-town atmosphere within the larger Los Angeles metropolitan region.
Economy and Employment
El Segundo's economy is anchored by aerospace, defense, technology, and petroleum refining. Chevron's refinery remains a major industrial presence and employer. Aerospace contractors including Northrop Grumman operate substantial campuses, while technology companies such as Mattel (headquartered in El Segundo) and numerous startups occupy office and research space.
Retail and hospitality businesses at the Plaza El Segundo, Main Street, and along Sepulveda Boulevard serve residents and workers. Proximity to Los Angeles International Airport supports aviation-related services and corporate travel connectivity.
Market and Housing Context
The 2020 U.S. Census counted 16,731 residents and approximately 7,900 housing units within El Segundo's 5.46 square miles. Housing includes single-family homes in established neighborhoods, condominiums, and apartment buildings, with coastal-adjacent properties commanding premium locations.
Census data indicates a mix of owner-occupied and renter-occupied units. Many homes date from the mid-20th century, with newer construction concentrated in redevelopment areas and near commercial corridors. The city's compact size limits available land for new development, contributing to constrained housing supply.
Living in El Segundo
El Segundo offers beach access, parks, and a walkable downtown along Main Street. Recreation Park, the El Segundo Museum of Art, and the Joslyn Center provide cultural and community programming. The city's beach and coastal paths connect to the broader South Bay shoreline.
Educational institutions include El Segundo High School and campuses of the El Segundo Unified School District. The city's small geographic scale fosters a close-knit community identity often noted by residents and visitors.
El Segundo Today
16,731
Population (2020 Census)
5.46 sq mi
City Land Area
1917
Year Incorporated
7,900
Housing Units (2020 Census)
Government and Civic Life
El Segundo operates under a council-manager form of government with five council members. The city provides police, fire, public works, and planning services. City Hall on Main Street anchors civic operations in the downtown core.
Industrial-Residential Balance
El Segundo's zoning and planning reflect decades of managing coexistence between heavy industry, aerospace campuses, and residential neighborhoods. Environmental monitoring, buffer zones, and industrial standards address the proximity of refinery operations to homes and schools.
Geography and Environment
El Segundo sits on flat coastal terrain along Santa Monica Bay, with the Chevron refinery occupying a prominent portion of the northern waterfront. The Mediterranean climate supports beach recreation and outdoor activity throughout the year. Coastal wetlands and the Hyperion treatment plant area lie adjacent to city boundaries, part of regional environmental management efforts.
Sea level rise and coastal flooding represent long-term planning considerations shared with other South Bay communities.
Transportation and Connectivity
El Segundo is accessible via Interstate 105, Interstate 405, and Sepulveda Boulevard. Los Angeles International Airport lies immediately north, providing global air connectivity and contributing to local traffic patterns. Metro bus routes serve the city; the C Line (Green Line) light rail station in adjacent Hawthorne offers regional transit access.
The city's location between the beach cities and the airport corridor positions it within commuting range of Westside, South Bay, and downtown Los Angeles employment centers.
Looking Forward
El Segundo addresses housing supply, downtown vitality, industrial compatibility, and coastal resilience through ongoing planning. Redevelopment near Main Street and careful management of industrial-residential boundaries remain priorities. The aerospace sector's evolution and energy industry transitions may influence future employment and land use patterns.
The City's Character
From refinery company town to South Bay suburb with global industry presence, El Segundo has maintained a distinct identity shaped by its name, its employers, and its beachside setting. The city's scale, schools, and civic institutions foster community cohesion within the vast Los Angeles metropolitan region.
"El Segundo carries its origin in its name — a city built around the second refinery, where smokestacks and surf breaks have shared the same coastline for more than a century."
Whether walking Main Street, visiting the beach, or passing the aerospace campuses that employ thousands, visitors and residents encounter a South Bay city where industrial heritage and coastal living remain defining features of daily life.