Santa Monica is an upscale beachfront city in western Los Angeles County. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and Venice on the southeast.
The Santa Monica Municipal Pier is a well known landmark at the foot of Colorado Avenue. Shopping and restaurants are found near the pier as well as on Third Street, Main Street, and Montana Avenue.
It has a fishing pier, three miles of beach, a popular promenade, a built-up downtown, and it frequently pops up in movies! It is loaded with amusements and is situated a short distance from the movie and entertainment industries. Santa Monica also has an enviable base of info-tech firms.
The world famous 3.5-mile Santa Monica Beach has appeared in countless movies and TV shows epitomizing the beach life of Southern California. Along the strand people jog, bike, skate, play chess or volleyball, build sandcastles or simply watch the waves as they kiss the shore.
What people do on the Pier today isn?t very different from what they did more than 100 years ago. They fish day or night, watch the waves, view the wonders of the undersea world, dance under the stars, ride a carousel horse or a roller coaster, dine at an ocean view restaurant, entertain themselves at an enticing arcade and shop for souvenirs. The Pier is a place for families and fun, for amusement and amazement.
The newest extension to the Pier is Pacific Park, a by-the-water amusement park, which opened in 1996. Pacific Park features a nine-story tall, solar-powered Ferris wheel (the world?s first) and a five-story high roller coaster that juts out over the ocean. Crowds gather at the bumper cars as well as at an arcade full of games for children of all ages. The park goes beyond traditional entertainment with a motion-simulator theater and a live circus show performed by young volunteers from the audience. Open-air restaurants serving seafood and snacks from colorful booths and counters add to the atmosphere of fun and festivity.
Santa Monica is the center of the art world in Southern California. Not only is it the home to many world-renowned contemporary artists, it boasts more than 70 galleries displaying and selling paintings, sculpture, photography, video art and more by artists from around the world.
You?ll find artwork from nearly every period executed in a broad spectrum of styles and techniques. Come browse!
Museums in Santa Monica are reflective of both its history and its passion for fine art. You?ll find a variety of museums throughout the city featuring exhibits of art work in all media, as well as unique displays of non-traditional art and history. Nearby museums include the world-famous Getty Center and the Skirball Cultural Center. You may also want to visit the wide array of art, science, and natural history museums located in adjacent Los Angeles.
There are five shopping areas in Santa Monica, each with its own style and pace ? from beach casual to upscale and elegant. Shops and stores dot these landscapes displaying wares for men, women, children and the home. Most are within walking distance of Santa Monica hotels or are just a short bus or taxi ride away.
Santa Monica is a food lover's paradise. Whether you're into fast food or five-star dining, you'll find a restaurant, cafe, diner, coffee shop or kiosk to suit your taste and budget. Santa Monica restaurants have won numerous national and international awards. They are also routinely cited in "Ten Best" lists and surveys of excellence by top food and travel magazines. With literally hundreds of eateries to choose from and cuisine representing nearly every country in the world, it's hard to go wrong. Eat hearty and Bon Appetit!
Throughout the city there are intriguing antique shops and bazaars where you can find treasures from bygone days. Look for cooperative warehouses and impromptu bazaars.
Flea markets and bazaars are held periodically throughout the City.
Some people believe that Santa Monica is where healthy living began. It?s hard to argue with that. Our beautiful climate invites being active outdoors and looking your best.
To help nature along Santa Monica boasts an astounding assortment of spas, salons and fitness centers, many located near the beach.
Housing
Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $1,000,001
Mean prices in 2009: All housing units: $896,270; Detached houses: $1,141,207; Townhouses or other attached units: $682,473; In 2-unit structures: $807,094; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $733,728; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $601,193; Mobile homes: $547,078
Demographics
Population in July 2009: 87,563. Santa Monica covers 8.26 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 101 feet above sea level. Area code commonly used in this area: 310
Weather
Santa Monica, CA climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is September with an average maximum temperature of 70.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 50.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be small during summer with a difference that can reach 7 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 13 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Santa Monica is 13.27 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is February with an average rainfall of 3.29 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
Vista on the east, and Venice on the southeast.