Blackburn’s sober living homes and sober apartments for men are on the Westside, not at the harbor. The homes are in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City, and the apartments are in West Los Angeles. This page is for men from Long Beach, San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City and Signal Hill who are considering a move north, roughly 22 to 28 miles away by road (approximate figures).
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.
The harbor communities
This region is built around the twin ports at the southern tip of the county. It includes the second largest city in Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles neighborhoods that run down the narrow strip of land to the port.
- Long Beach: about 450,900 residents in the July 2024 estimate (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts), roughly 28 miles from Mar Vista by road.
- San Pedro: about 74,100 residents (LA County Countywide Statistical Area table, 2020), roughly 26 miles away.
- Wilmington: about 51,800 residents, roughly 24 miles; Harbor City: about 28,600, roughly 22 miles (same source).
- Signal Hill: a small city surrounded by Long Beach, about 11,700 residents, roughly 27 miles away (Census Bureau 2022 estimate via LA Almanac).
Long Beach is larger than every other city in the county except Los Angeles itself, according to the population figures we use. Distances above are approximate road miles, so check a map for your own trip.
From the harbor to the Westside
There is no single train from the harbor to the Westside, but each part of the region has a clear route through Downtown or the Harbor Transitway.
- From Long Beach: the A Line. It runs north from Long Beach to Downtown and meets the E Line at Little Tokyo/Arts District (Los Angeles Metro). The E Line then runs west to Culver City, Palms and Santa Monica.
- From San Pedro, Wilmington and Harbor City: the J Line. It runs from Harbor Gateway and San Pedro up the Harbor Transitway to Downtown, where you change to the E Line.
- Metro 550. Runs from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center up the Harbor Transitway to Exposition Park, which sits on the E Line, so you can transfer west without going all the way Downtown.
Signal Hill has no cited line in our data, and stops for Wilmington and Harbor City should be confirmed. Check metro.net or Long Beach Transit for the connection nearest you.
Why men from the harbor area move north
Long Beach and San Pedro have strong local identities, and in places like that it can feel as if everyone knows everyone. That is a big part of why some men leave for a while. Recovery can be hard in a place where every corner holds a memory and every friend from before is a phone call away. About 25 miles is enough to change the daily scenery without moving out of Southern California.
The coast is the other draw. Men who grew up near the water often want to stay near it, and our homes in Venice and Mar Vista keep the ocean close. The pace, the weather and the beach are familiar, while the people and places are not.
Work is a factor for some. The port, logistics and the trades are big employers in this region, and some of those jobs involve shifts that do not line up with transit. If you plan to keep a harbor job while living on the Westside, we will talk through the commute honestly before you decide.
Which fits you?
For men right out of treatment, sober living offers the most support: drug testing 3 times a week, daily alcohol testing, medication management systems and weekly updates for families, providers and treatment teams. Residents can work full time and take local college classes. Tours of the homes happen in person or virtually.
For men who are steadier, the sober apartments offer independent living in West Los Angeles. They are furnished and month to month, with utilities and WiFi included, and the accountability is weekly random drug and alcohol testing. There is no curfew. They are open to anyone who qualifies. Schedule an apartment tour, or call or text (888) 305-5422.
For families and professionals back in Long Beach or San Pedro
A virtual tour of sober living is a good first step for families who do not want to drive up just to look. Once he moves in, our sober living homes send weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams, so the distance does not mean losing touch. The free virtual family support group meets every other Tuesday, 6 to 7 PM Pacific, led by a licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services. For the move itself, we offer sober transport and sober companion support. See our families page and the page for treatment professionals.
For county-funded substance use treatment, the Substance Abuse Service Helpline is 1-800-854-7771, option 2 (LA County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control).
Questions from the Harbor Area and Long Beach
How do I get from Long Beach to the Westside for work?
Take the Metro A Line north to Little Tokyo/Arts District and transfer to the E Line west. It is a long ride, so it suits some work schedules better than others. We will look at yours on the first call.
Is there a faster way from San Pedro than going through Downtown?
Metro 550 runs from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center up the Harbor Transitway to Exposition Park, where you can catch the E Line west. The J Line through Downtown is the other option.
Can I move from Long Beach to a sober apartment directly?
Yes, if you qualify and you are ready for independent living. The apartments are open to men coming from anywhere. If you are just leaving treatment, we may suggest sober living first.
Can you help me move up from the harbor?
Yes. Blackburn offers sober transport and sober companion support for the move.
Nearby places and regions
Place pages: Long Beach and San Pedro. Neighboring regions: South Bay and Gateway Cities. The homes themselves are in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City. Back to all areas in Los Angeles County.
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.