Santa Monica

Santa Monica

When you think of Southern California, Santa Monica is exactly what you picture. It’s the quintessential Westside beach community. It’s a love letter to the Beach Boys, to beachy days and bonfire nights. When people from around the world come to Santa Monica, they find it’s exactly what they had dreamed it would be—and it’s a dream for residents, too. Santa Monica is also bordered by some dreamy neighbours: Pacific Palisades to the north, Malibu to the northwest, Brentwood to the northeast, Venice to the south, West Los Angeles to the east and the Bay to the west. It’s the closest beach community to Los Angeles proper and all that the city has to offer, but still feels like a world away. This upscale, charming beachfront city truly embodies the LA lifestyle, from laidback beach days and breathtaking hikes to premier shopping and gourmet eats. And best of all, it’s all so walkable. So much about Santa Monica is iconic, like the world-famous Santa Monica Pier—the Instagram-worthy finish line for Route 66, literally put on the map by Chuck Berry’s hit song—and the miles of beach dotted by lifeguard outposts and volleyball courts. But there’s so much more to do than hit the beach. Take a non-salty dip at The Annenberg Community Beach House’s world-class pool, catch a classic flick at the Aero Theatre on Montana or stroll the stalls of the farmer’s market for fresh finds. For families, Santa Monica has one of the best public school systems in the city. It’s also home to some of the most elite private schools in California, like the K-12 Crossroads College Preparatory School. Real estate values in Santa Monica have been steadily climbing, thanks to its quaint neighborhoods, high quality of life and stellar air quality (among the best in LA, thanks to that fresh ocean breeze). Life in Santa Monica is a perfect mix of laidback and luxe. Everything you could want is usually a short walk away, making it the kind of place you never want to leave—and some days you won’t. The city is connected by its own public transportation and infrastructure, which creates a genuine sense of community. And thanks to the recently unveiled Expo Line, the rest of Los Angeles is now easily accessible, too—taking riders from Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles in under an hour. If you prefer to stay behind the wheel, here are some realistic drive times:

• Downtown Los Angeles: 30 minutes
• LAX: 20 minutes
• Sherman Oaks: 25 minutes
• Glendale: 50 minutes