Welcome to Santa Monica / Ocean Park
Known for its great ocean views, this coastal city is considered one of SoCal’s most vibrant communities
Best known for its pier, amusement park, and legendary Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, located just west of Downtown Los Angeles, features three miles of Pacific beaches and an array of art galleries, celebrated shopping destinations, and a selection of recreational venues.
Tourism attracts more than eight million visitors here each year but the area is also home to more than 93,000 full-time residents. Real estate here is varied, and many listings boast multi-million dollar price tags. There are also many studio apartments and smaller ranch homes among these large estates.
Considered part of Silicon Beach, which is home to more than 500 technology companies, Santa Monica contains many cutting-edge businesses and is the headquarters for several of the nation’s most respected healthcare facilities
Ocean Park, one of Santa Monica's most popular neighborhoods, is a hub of shops, restaurants and bars. City Hall and the 3rd Street Promenade are located here as well as the Expo Light Rail station, Santa Monica Pier, and the well-attended Sunday Farmers Market.
What's to Love
- The famous Santa Monica Pier and Muscle Beach
- Large tourism hub
- Diversified real estate market
People & Lifestyle
Both families and young professionals are attracted to this city’s strong start-up culture. With walkable streets and public transportation that makes commuting a breeze, there are also plenty of activities and a strong tourist presence.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Several famed dining options are considered “can’t-miss” stops in Santa Monica. Local favorites include
Cora's Coffee Shoppe, a vibrant and rustic destination for inventive breakfast and lunch fare—this charming eatery’s claim to fame is that it served as a backdrop in the movie The Postman Always Rings Twice; and
Chinois on Main, a sophisticated, iconic eatery owned by Wolfgang Puck that specializes in Asian-French fusion cuisine.
Things to Do
Activities are plentiful in Santa Monica. Guests can visit the
Santa Monica Pier, a large, double- jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue featuring concession stands, areas for lookouts and fishing, and
Pacific Park, home to 12 family-friendly rides, including the world-famous Ferris wheel and roller coaster.
Fun Facts
- Santa Monica Pier marks the end of the famous Route 66
- Beach volleyball was born here and so was Popeye. Legend has it that Elzie Crisler Segar created the Popeye comic in the early 1900s after befriending Olaf Olsen, a Norwegian sailor he met on the Santa Monica Pier
- A number of notable people call Santa Monica their birth city, including Shirley Temple, Jack Black, Anjelica Huston, Tobey Maguire, and Jamie Lee Curtis