Santa Monica is a city of about 93,000 people (2020 census) on Santa Monica Bay, about 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles (per Wikipedia, read September 24, 2026). Incorporated in 1886, it is famous for the Santa Monica Pier (1909), the Third Street Promenade, and Palisades Park above the bluffs. A dense, walkable city with a strong tech and entertainment economy, it is one of LA County's most expensive housing markets.
The median listing price in Santa Monica is $2.1M.
Top places in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park.
Third Street Promenade.
Palisades Park and the bluffs.
Santa Monica State Beach.
Montana Avenue shops.
Main Street and Ocean Park.
Santa Monica Farmers Market (Wednesday/Saturday).
Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square.
Commuting from Santa Monica
Freeways: I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway) begins at the pier and runs to downtown LA.
Transit: Metro E Line (Expo) light rail runs from downtown Santa Monica to downtown LA (~45–50 min, approximate); Big Blue Bus network.
Approximate drive to downtown Los Angeles: ~30–50 minutes depending on traffic (approximate; ~16 miles).
Schools in Santa Monica
Public schools: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Santa Monica FAQs
What is the housing market like in Santa Monica, CA? The median listing price in Santa Monica is $2.1M. Median listing home price, facts panel; page last crawled ~June 2026, read 2026-09-24 · Realtor.com · 2026-09-24
How is the commute from Santa Monica, CA? Freeways: I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway) begins at the pier and runs to downtown LA.
Which school district serves Santa Monica, CA? Santa Monica is served by Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
