Basic Info
Santa Monica is an unforgettable, seaside city in Southern California. Conveniently located a few miles from Los Angeles and a short drive to the neighboring attractions of the region, Santa Monica is a beach city with all of the culture, events and comforts of an active metropolis. For travelers seeking a Southern California vacation, Santa Monica offers the best of all possible worlds.
- www.santamonica.com
Santa Monica offers more than its beach and its phenomenal weather. Its proximity to the greater Los Angeles area makes Santa Monica the perfect base for vacationers and business travelers alike. On its own, Santa Monica is a walkable 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²) -– a pedestrian-friendly beach city. Each of its eight districts offers a diverse mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation and, thanks to its unmatched public transportation system, metropolitan convenience. For travelers aiming to discover the rest of Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region, Santa Monica serves as a convenient hub for broader exploration. Located only eight miles (13 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and only 13 miles (23 km) from the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica provides easy access to neighboring areas and attractions. Santa Monica is also close to other hot Southern California cities such as Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
- www.santamonica.com
Santa Monica—which, because of its liberal populace, has been dubbed the People's Republic of Santa Monica—is a pedestrian-friendly little city, about 8.3 square mi, with a dynamic population of artists and writers, entertainment folk, educators, and retired people, all attracted by the cooler, sometimes-foggy climate. Mature trees, Mediterranean-style architecture, and strict zoning have helped create a sense of place often missing from L.A.'s residential neighborhoods. This character comes with a price: real estate costs are astronomical.
- www.fodors.com