- Main ZIP
- 90803
- Soil Type
- Dredged Fill
- Clay In Topsoil
- 12%
- Sand In Topsoil
- 64%
- Elevation
- 8 to 15 ft
- Miles To The Shore
- 0.7
- Typical Home Built
- 1974
The Ground In Spinnaker Bay
This ground was built up from dredged material. USDA maps it as a dredged spoil complex.
| Soil | Share Of Map Unit | Clay | Sand | pH | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquic Xerorthents | 15% | 12% | 64% | 7.8 | Somewhat poorly drained |
| Xerorthents | 15% | 10% | 65% | 8.2 | Poorly drained |
What That Means For Your Yard
- Test the soil for salt before you buy plants. USDA lists one fill type here at a very high salt reading, and readings vary from yard to yard.
- Plan drainage first. USDA rates this fill poorly to somewhat poorly drained, so roots can sit wet even in sandy ground.
- Use raised planters or a deep layer of clean soil for anything fussy, and pick plants that handle salt.
The city flood map shows FEMA zone AE at points we sampled here, which marks ground with mapped flood risk. Plan drainage around that, and check your own parcel before you regrade.
Weather And Homes
At about 0.7 miles from the open shore, this area gets the steady salt air and marine layer. Foggy mornings cut how much water plants use, so a schedule copied from inland yards will overwater here.
Census figures for the tracts here put the typical home at about 1974. Newer tracts often have builder soil, tight side yards and shared rules. Check any HOA papers before you pick plants, though California law limits how far an HOA can go against low water yards.
About 78 percent of homes in these tracts are owner occupied and about 72 percent are houses. For an owner staying put, a yard change that lowers the water bill for years can make sense even with a higher start cost.
Your Parkway And Street Trees
Your parkway follows the same city rule as the rest of Long Beach. Fake turf is out, and street trees belong to the city, so trimming one takes a Public Works permit. If you still have living lawn there, Long Beach Utilities runs a free native plant parkway kit.
Popular Work In Spinnaker Bay
Questions We Hear
What kind of soil does Spinnaker Bay have?
This ground was built up from dredged material. USDA maps it as a dredged spoil complex. It is also rated somewhat poorly drained. Your own yard may differ, especially if soil was brought in, so a test is cheap insurance.
Can I put artificial turf in my Spinnaker Bay parkway?
No. City code limits parkways to living plants plus permeable materials such as mulch, decomposed granite or pavers on sand, and those must cover under half of the strip. Turf is allowed in the front yard itself.
What days can I water in Spinnaker Bay?
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., for up to 10 minutes per station, under the Level 1 rules from Long Beach Utilities.