Santa Monica, California, is a beachfront city located in western Los Angeles County. It is situated on the Santa Monica Bay 14 miles from downtown Los Angeles. High bluffs separate the beach from the north side of the city, which is bordered by Venice on the southeast, Mar Vista on the east, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Brentwood on the north and Pacific Palisades on the northwest. It has a population of about 90,000.
Santa Monica has a mild Mediterranean climate and has earned a reputation as a resort destination. Recently the city has refurbished and revitalized its downtown area and experienced growth in its job market and tourist industry.
Santa Monica Homes for Sale and Real Estate
Santa Monica is known as a city of artists, and has more artists than 90 percent of communities in the United States. This concentration has helped give Santa Monica its unique character. The city embodies the spirit of California beach living with relaxed, healthy lifestyles and a laid-back vibe.
Santa Monica offers a wide array of housing styles from luxurious beachfront homes to quaint bungalows to traditional Spanish Style estates. Home prices in Santa Monica are not only among the most expensive in California, they are also among the most expensive in the country.
Santa Monica Neighborhoods
Santa Monica is divided into several distinct neighborhoods, they are:
Santa Monica Canyon
North of San Vicente
North of Montana
Montana Avenue
North of Wilshire
Ocean Avenue
Downtown Santa Monica
Midtown Santa Monica
Pico District
Ocean Park
Sunset Park
Santa Monica Economy and Employment Opportunities
Many well known businesses have headquarters or regional offices in Santa Monica, such as:
Universal Music Group
Lions Gate Films
RAND Corporation
Beachbody
Macerich
COR Capital, LLC
Entravision Communications
Demand Media
Anworth Mortgage
The Playtone Company
Fatburger
TOMS Shoes
Viacom
MTV
Yahoo
Microsoft
In addition, many game development studios have offices in Santa Monica, and the city continues to be a central location for this industry. Top employers in Santa Monica are:
Due to its excellent location and close proximity to both the beach and Hollywood, Santa Monica has a seemingly infinite number of things to see and do, including:
