Scottsdale, Carson, CA

Scottsdale is the stretch of south Carson between Avalon Boulevard and the industrial land to the east, with Sepulveda Boulevard running along its southern side. Its identity comes from the two boulevards more than any landmark, since both are lined with the taquerias, donut shops and markets that residents use every day. Housing in Scottsdale is mostly single-story, single-family tract homes from Carson's postwar building boom, set on flat streets with driveways and small front lawns. Many have been remodeled or expanded over the years. The side streets away from Avalon stay quiet, and the eastern blocks run up against warehouses and yards around Watson Center Road. Avalon Boulevard is where the neighborhood eats. Las Palmas Cafe and El Rancherito Tacos Y Cenaduria both serve Mexican plates in the 23500 and 23900 blocks and Best World Donuts handles the morning run. Starbucks on Avalon covers the chain coffee. Groceries are one of the easy parts of life here. Albertsons anchors the corner of Sepulveda and Main, El Fresco Farms sits on Avalon, and Williams Market is a neighborhood corner store on Deloras Drive. Most errands take a short drive, and some blocks are close enough to walk. There's no city park inside the lines. Foisia Park, just west in Avalon Village, is the closest, with a swimming pool, lighted tennis and basketball courts and a boxing gym. Calas Park is a few minutes north, with a wading pool, tennis courts and a par course. The tradeoff is the industrial edge, which brings delivery trucks onto the eastern streets and a working-city backdrop to the east. Avalon also carries steady traffic. What makes the neighborhood work is how much of the week fits along two boulevards, from Saturday groceries to a donut on the way to work.