El Porto was once a secluded, orphaned and sometimes lawless whisper of L.A. County beachfront. Today, it’s part of Manhattan Beach, one of the most expensive cities in California. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Don Spencer fondly recalls his childhood in El Porto as “a banquet more goodies on the table than anyone could get to in a lifetime. The 71-year-old artist doesn’t believe change is necessarily bad, but hes not sure he can call what’s happening in his neighborhood progress either. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Surfers like El Porto because of its unique off-shore canyon that channels larger, better shaped waves to the area. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Mark Miyamoto of El Segundo rinses off at a shower decorated with action figures after surfing at El Porto. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Two joggers run along the strand in El Porto. The community is a far cry today from the days when whatever the law-and-order crowd frowned upon at the time booze during Prohibition, raucous dancing during the early days of rock, pot in the 60s, coke in the 70s could be found there, often with great ease. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
A gaggle of plastic pink flamingos decorates a parkway along a walking path beside the ocean in El Porto. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
