Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a coastal city on the Westside of Los Angeles County, where the Santa Monica Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. It stretches along about 3 miles of sandy beach and flat bluff tops. The landscape includes broad, paved oceanfront paths, bicycle lanes, and parklands overlooking the sea (most famously Palisades Park above the bluffs). The climate is mild year-round: warm, dry summers and mild winters, much like nearby Los Angeles proper but usually a bit cooler in summer due to the ocean. The area sees morning fog (June gloom) that often clears to sunny skies by afternoon. Typical temperatures range in the 70s°F in summer and 60s°F in winter, with virtually no frost. The sun shines about 310 days a year, making Santa Monica essentially a beach-friendly city.

Santa Monica’s city population is about 88,000 (2025 estimate). In recent decades it has declined slightly from a 2020 peak, reflecting its small land area and high housing costs. The median age is in the low 40s, and median household income is roughly $110,000 (very high by U.S. standards). The population is predominantly White (about 67%), with Asians (~10%), and smaller percentages of Black (5%) and Hispanic (about 13% Hispanic of any race) residents. The city has a significant creative-class and technology workforce, as discussed below.

Santa Monica’s 2025 estimate is 87,900 residents. The city’s density is high (over 10,000 people per square mile). Demographically, 67% identify as White, 9.8% Asian, and 4.9% Black, with others and those identifying as two or more races making up the rest. Hispanic/Latino residents form about 11% of the population. About 42% of households are married couples.

The local economy is robust and diverse. Santa Monica calls itself part of “Silicon Beach” due to a concentration of tech and creative industries. Indeed, the creative and technology sector is the largest employer: over 3,100 businesses in information technology, film, video, design, and advertising (such as Snap, Hulu, Lionsgate, etc.) employ about 29,000 people – roughly one-third of the city’s jobs. Other significant sectors include healthcare (10,000 jobs), education (Santa Monica College), and tourism/hospitality (accommodations, restaurants). The tourism industry is growing: about 4.6 million visitors came to Santa Monica in 2023, generating roughly $940 million in local spending, thanks to the famed pier and beach and the city’s shopping districts. Retail is also notable – SM businesses saw over $3.2 billion in taxable sales in 2023. In short, Santa Monica’s economy mixes local retail and service jobs with a surprisingly large creative-tech core (the world’s largest concentration of digital media and entertainment firms is in the L.A. westside).

The city boasts high incomes: per-capita income ~$88,900, and median household ~$109,700, although its poverty rate (11.6%) indicates income inequality. Real estate and tourism revenues fund local amenities (for example, the business improvement districts run street events and maintenance downtown). Sustainable business is also a priority: Santa Monica promotes green building, bike lanes, and was ranked among the “most sustainable” cities for its environmental policies.

Santa Monica is in Southern California, immediately west of the City of Los Angeles (neighborhood of Venice) and 15 miles north of LAX. It lies on flat bluffs above Santa Monica Bay. Pacific Palisades park and the Santa Monica Mountains are just north, while Venice Beach borders to the south. Its 3-mile beachfront includes the famous Santa Monica State Beach (with volleyball nets and wide sand). Onshore, the city is mostly flat with a slight slope from the Palisades down to the water. The iconic Santa Monica Pier (built 1909) protrudes into the bay, featuring a small amusement park, aquarium, and the historic pier carousel – symbols of the city. The main commercial heart is around Third Street and Broadway, known as the Third Street Promenade (a lively pedestrian mall) and the blocks near the ocean (the “Downtown”), all buzzing with shops, street performers, and restaurants.

Climate-wise, Santa Monica’s location on the coast ensures very little temperature swing. As the Wikipedia climate section notes, Santa Monica enjoys a coastal Mediterranean climate. Coastal fog often occurs from late spring to summer, but the city usually gets clear by noon. Even on hot interior days, ocean breezes cool the beach. Annual precipitation is around 15 inches, mostly in winter. The long, dry summers and mild winters mean outdoor cafes and street festivals can happen year-round. The beach and bluffs are ringed by parks (Palisades Park spans the bluff top, Tongva Park is a newer ocean-view park downtown), reinforcing the integration of city and sea.

Santa Monica’s story reflects Southern California’s broader arc. The area was named and claimed in the 1839 Mexican land grants (Rancho San Vicente y Santa Mónica). The city was formally incorporated on November 30, 1886. In its early years, Santa Monica developed as a seaside resort for Los Angeles – hotels, bathhouses, and pleasure piers became its draws. By the early 20th century, it had ferries and the Pacific Electric “Red Car” (trolley) connecting it to L.A. In fact, Amusement piers were a big thing – the Santa Monica Pier was expanded and became a major attraction by the 1920s.

A key chapter is the Douglas Aircraft Company, which set up a major airplane plant here in the 1920s; Santa Monica became a wartime center with tens of thousands employed in aerospace by 1940. After World War II, the Douglas/McDonnell plant remained significant until the 1970s, creating jobs and the RAND think tank. The closure of the Douglas facility (1968–70) was a blow, but it helped pave the way for economic diversification. The city resisted freeway extension (they halted the Santa Monica Freeway from continuing west past Ocean Park in 1975), which kept the downtown pedestrian-friendly. Over decades it transformed into a cosmopolitan small city: the pier and beach remained icons, but new retail centers (Third Street) and small tech companies began to define it. Notable events: the late-1980s saw conflicts over development vs. preservation (some beach neighborhoods fought new high-rises). Today the mix of historic mid‑century buildings and trendy new shops testifies to continuous change.

Santa Monica is known for a healthy, progressive, and creative vibe. The city is both residential and commercial; it has long attracted artists, entrepreneurs, and a young professional crowd as well as wealthy retirees. English is universal, with Spanish commonly spoken among service workers and in certain neighborhoods. The lifestyle emphasizes fitness: you’ll see runners and cyclists on Ocean Avenue, yoga studios on nearly every block, and farmers markets open many days of the week. Beach culture is big – lifeguard towers, volleyball games, and casual surf shops are everywhere. The city is notably child-friendly (playgrounds, schools) and also pet-friendly (beach for dogs off-leash in certain hours).

Politically and socially, Santa Monica is quite liberal; municipal policies reflect that. The city prides itself on environmentalism (strict recycling, renewable energy goals, bans on certain plastics). Arts and tech mingle here: street murals and galleries exist alongside co-working spaces and startup incubators. Community events reinforce the local character: there are weekly Concerts in the Park, Summer Movie Nights, and seasonal celebrations (such as the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Concert Series). The city government and Chamber of Commerce often highlight “Buy Local” and sustainable businesses, indicating a focus on community ethos.

Friendliness-wise, the mood in Santa Monica is typically welcoming and easy-going. Even downtown, business attire is rare; beachwear or casual city attire is the norm. People tend to smile and greet with “hello,” though not as farm-town familiar as maybe Santa Barbara’s style. There is a hint of urban anonymity (as in any LA suburb), but many know their neighbors. Traffic is a lament (locals know not to try driving up the hill to LAX in rush hour), so patience on the roads is an unspoken rule.

Santa Monica’s attractions are seaside-centric. Of course, the Santa Monica Pier is a must-see. Its 2nd-street carousel, Ferris wheel, and arcades recall an old-fashioned amusement atmosphere, and the pier scene is instantly recognizable (unlike anything else in LA). The pier’s Pacific Park amusement rides, plus a small aquarium and eateries, appeal to families and casual visitors. Adjacent is Palisades Park, a bluff-top greenbelt overlooking the ocean, ideal for biking or sunset walks. Here you have one of the most iconic LA views: endless Pacific and the outline of Malibu to the north.

Third Street Promenade is another top draw: a pedestrian-only shopping district filled with boutiques, street performers, and open-air cafes. It’s often cited as one of the best outdoor malls in America. Nearby Santa Monica Place mall (upscale shopping) and the 4th/Colorado arts district (the SMC Performing Arts Center) add to its appeal. The beach itself – Santa Monica State Beach – is wide and well-maintained, with volleyball courts and bike paths that connect to Venice Beach (to the south) and the Marina del Rey bike path (to the north).

Other highlights include Tongva Park & Greenbelt (a newer multi-level park with play gardens and fountains downtown) and Palisades Park (as mentioned). On the beachfront, the historic Angels Knight Pier (Caruso’s Beach House) and Lifeguard Headquarters Tower are notable structures. Sport and leisure: Muscle Beach (California’s original outdoor gym) and the North Beach Playground are fun visits. Also, the Santa Monica Museum of Art and Bergamot Station (an art complex with dozens of galleries) serve culture-hungry visitors. Those wanting to feel locally anchored can stroll through the Farmers Market on Arizona Avenue (year-round, Wednesdays and Saturdays).

In short, the must-do list is defined by ocean and outdoor enjoyment: a bike ride to the pier, a stroll at sunset, beachfront rollerblading, plus a meal at one of the many beachside restaurants. Santa Monica offers a classic California beach city experience, updated for the modern age with trendy shops and sustainable style.

Santa Monica does not have its own commercial airport; visitors usually fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), just 15 minutes’ drive to the south. Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) airports are also reachable by car or shuttle. By car, the I-10 freeway ends in Santa Monica (where it meets Ocean Avenue). It’s also connected by surface streets to West LA and beyond. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train stops at nearby Downtown Santa Monica Station (at 4th Street), linking to the LA–San Diego corridor.

Santa Monica is relatively small. Many residents and visitors walk or bike, especially downtown and along the beach. Public transit includes the Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica’s municipal bus system) and the LA Metro E Line (Expo Line) light rail, which connects downtown Santa Monica (Downtown Station) to Downtown Los Angeles and beyond about every 8 minutes. Taxis and rideshare are plentiful in central areas but can be scarce late at night in outlying neighborhoods. Parking is often metered on streets and in public garages; be aware of street cleaning schedules. Because traffic can clog freeway entrances, many locals use bicycles or scooters for short hops (scooter and bike-share programs are popular).

The usual California tips apply. Currency is USD. English is universal; Spanish is common in many service contexts (many store signs are bilingual). Tipping 15–20% is standard for restaurants. Sandals and beachwear are acceptable almost anywhere during the day, though nicer attire may be chosen for fine restaurants or bars. Santa Monica is generally safe – it has much lower crime than downtown LA. However, watch your belongings on crowded streets and beaches. The city is very pedestrian- and bike-friendly, but always yield to local bike/scooter etiquette. It’s also quite international and accepting; visitors should feel comfortable wearing what they like. A practical note: because of local politics, Santa Monica is very environmentally conscious – visitors will find water-fill stations (fountains) instead of plastic bottles at many parks, and restaurants often encourage reusable bag use.