City population swells each day with shoppers, tourists and workers
Situated on California's glimmering Pacific coast, Santa Monica is a seaside city offering excellent schools, world-class shopping and decidedly upscale housing. "It's a stunning place with gorgeous beaches and coastline, a fantastic climate and a great community," says Jennifer Taylor, the city's economic development manager. Santa Monica's modest residential population of 93,000 swells to 250,000 each day as tourists, shoppers and a localized workforce stream in. Navigating the population influx is just a fact of life for residents in Santa Monica, which attracts over 8 million visitors annually. In addition to local education and medical facilities, major employers include Snap, Hulu, Universal Music Group and Lionsgate Entertainment. "We are small but mighty," Taylor says. "The city is just over 8 square miles, but we're known globally, and we're a few miles west of Los Angeles, one of the most exciting cities in the world."
The Santa Monica Pier is a popular tourist destination for people across the globe.
North of Montana is the northern most border of Santa Monica's beautiful coastline.
Ocean Park's pristine beaches are a prime location for a volleyball game with friends.
Find luxury contemporary homes on large lots lining the streets of North of Montana.
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Prime coastal real estate comes with high housing costs
In a state known for runaway housing costs, Santa Monica stands out as particularly expensive. In October 2024, the city’s median home price was around $1.9 million, compared to $400,000 nationally and $900,000 in broader California. The high cost of living reflects the city’s desirability and prime coastal location. The housing landscape features a range of options, from luxury beachfront homes to more modern apartments and condos with an ocean view. The seven neighborhood districts in Santa Monica offer different vibes and amenities. “North of Montana neighborhood is known for its beautiful old Spanish Revival houses on the historic Gillette Regent Square tract and proximity to the Montana Avenue commercial district,” Taylor says. “Ocean Park is full of great little Craftsman bungalows and right near the beach and trendy Main Street.” Wilshire Montana — a neighborhood situated between two prime commercial stretches, Montana Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard — has prewar bungalows interspersed with higher-density housing.
North of Montana offers luxury modern homes coming with pools and high end amenities.
North of Montana is filled with craftsman bungalows just minutes from the beach.
Modern condo buildings with beach views are a great option for Santa Monica living.
Quant Spanish style homes are abundant in Santa Monica's Pico neighborhood.
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Santa Monica-Malibu Unified is a top-tier school district
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified is a top-notch public school district graded A-plus by Niche. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified has 17 schools serving around 9,000 students. Known for celebrity alums like Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe and Carson Daly, Santa Monica High is a standout public school in LA County. In addition to a project-based learning model for college-bound students, kids can take courses through Santa Monica College to earn early credits.
Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Monica has a grade of A+ on Niche.
John Adams Middle School serves grades 6-8 and has an overall B rating from Niche.
Santa Monica High School receives an A+ rating from Niche.
St. Monica Prep High School in Santa Monica has an overall A rating from Niche.
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Downtown Farmers Market is one of four in the city
Santa Monica is well-regarded for its robust retail scene, from high-end boutiques to unique local shops. Third Street Promenade offers a pedestrian-only shopping experience with a mix of retail chains, independent stores and entertainment venues. For luxury shopping, Santa Monica Place is a high-end mall with designer brands, upscale eateries and a rooftop dining area with ocean views. Main Street, Wilshire Boulevard and Montana Avenue are popular upscale commercial stretches. “Downtown Santa Monica is also making an exciting comeback with many new businesses coming in,” Taylor says.
The dining scene in Santa Monica caters to a wide range of palates, featuring everything from casual beachfront cafes to gourmet restaurants. The city is particularly noted for its emphasis on organic and farm-to-table cuisine, with many restaurants sourcing ingredients from the local farmers markets. “We are really known for our farmers markets,” Taylor says. The Downtown Farmers Market on Wednesdays is the largest, but the city actually operates four weekly markets. “It’s a regional draw for foodies due to all the acclaimed chefs who shop there,” Taylor says.
The Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market is every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am-1pm.
Ocean park has everything from high-end boutiques to unique local shops selling home goods.
Third St Promenade is home to not only big box stores but also local craft markets.
Sunset Park is within minutes of Santa Monica's diverse nightlife and dining scene.
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Palisades Park is one of the city's premier green spaces
The city maintains and operates 32 parks situated on over 130 acres. “Santa Monica has a network of beautiful parks. My favorite is State Beach,” Taylor says. Situated adjacent to the iconic pier and Heal the Bay Aquarium, State Beach has a boardwalk and a bike path along the shoreline of the Pacific south to Venice Beach. Set on 25 acres along buzzy Ocean Avenue, Palisades Park is one of the city’s premier green spaces, replete with a rose garden and public art. Walking paths wind through coastal palms overlooking Santa Monica Bay. “Virginia Avenue Park is another community favorite. It hosts the Saturday Farmers Market and community festivals, and it’s where the library is located,” Taylor says. There are annual jazz concerts at Ishihara Park, movie nights at Reed Park and sports facilities at Memorial Park.
Downtown Santa Monica is home to the famous State Beach which is enjoyed by all of LA.
Enjoy cliffside views overlooking the ocean from Palisades Park in North of Montana.
Pico residents head to Virginia Avenue Park for fresh produce at the Pico Farmers Market.
Sunset Park and surrounding Santa Monica neighborhoods offer pickle ball and tennis courts.
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Santa Monica's 150th anniversary is in 2025
Residents in Santa Monica come together through a robust calendar of community events. “In terms of annual events, 2025 will be an exciting year as the city celebrates its 150th anniversary,” Taylor says. The Montana Avenue Art Walk attracted thousands of visitors in September 2024. The event featured over 100 visual artists, displays, live music and family-friendly activities. Other events include the Main Street Fourth of July parade, a pet-friendly Howl-o-ween gathering, the Pier 360 Beach Festival and ice skating in downtown Santa Monica around the holidays.
Come dressed up with the whole family to Trick or Treat Downtown on Third St Promenade.
The Fourth of July Parade is joined by local community organizations in Santa Monica.
The Montana Ave Art Walk brings together 100 visual artists, live music, and art displays.
Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival features sports competitions, live music, and food.
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Direct access to I-10 and the PCH
Santa Monica has direct access to Interstate 10, which cuts through the city, and the Pacific Coast Highway, which makes up much of its western border. For commuters, downtown Los Angeles is about 15 miles east of the town, and Long Beach is 30 miles south. Due to its proximity to the coast, residents face congestion getting around the heavily trafficked city. The good news is that Santa Monica is highly walkable, with dedicated bike lanes on major thoroughfares like Ocean Avenue and a network of paved trails. Public transportation is also robust, which is helpful because parking can be challenging. “Our Big Blue Bus network is well connected to LA Metro’s bus and light rail network,” Taylor says. “We also have a bike and scooter share program and plenty of bike rental spots along the beach.” To catch a flight, Los Angeles International Airport is just 10 miles north via Lincoln Boulevard. UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center is the city’s central hospital.
Higher than average crime with no significant wildfire risk
Regarding safety, crime in Santa Monica is higher than the national numbers and in broader California. In 2023, violent crimes in the city were reported at the rate of 175 incidents each month per 100,000 residents, compared to 115 nationally and 105 in broader California. Property crime is well above the violent crime numbers. In 2023, 400 property crimes were committed monthly per 100,000 residents, compared to 160 nationally and 200 in broader California. Despite higher-than-average crime, the city considers safety to be a top priority. “Santa Monica is a leader in technology and innovation,” Taylor says. “Our police department utilizes cutting-edge drone technology to fight help crime, and the state awarded us a $6 million grant to develop an analytical real-time center to track and prevent crimes.”
Santa Monica’s coastal Mediterranean climate boasts an average of 310 days of sunshine yearly. Summers are warm, dry and breezy, with high temperatures in the 70s or 80s. Most of the annual rainfall comes in winter when high temperatures hit in the 50s and 60s. The city doesn’t face a significant wildfire risk due to its proximity to the coast and a lack of undeveloped areas. However, protecting the environment is a priority in Santa Monica. Taylor points to the broad use of renewable energy, membership in the Clean Power Alliance and investment in charging stations for electric vehicles as part of the city's commitment.
I'm Chrissy Reilly, a seasoned real estate agent with the award-winning brokerage Seven Gables Real Estate, based in Orange County, CA. I've made it my mission to turn dreams of home ownership into tangible realities. My partner Diane Kutinsky and I have joined forces and created the Chrissy Reilly and Diane Kutinsky team, where we bring our strengths together to guide our clients through a successful real estate transaction.
As a true California native, I started my journey in San Diego, where I immersed myself in the fascinating world of biochemistry and cell biology at UCSD. After working in the emergency department for three years, I faced challenges head-on and worked well under pressure. Armed with knowledge and a passion for analysis, I ventured into entrepreneurship and real estate investment, turning ideas into successful ventures.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
