Santa Monica is a vibrant beachfront city located on the westside of Los Angeles County, California, along the Santa Monica Bay. Known for its beautiful climate, beaches, and as a resort town, it offers a mix of residential communities, commercial districts, and recreational venues. As of 2020, the population was around 93,076. Santa Monica is bordered by the Pacific Palisades to the north, Brentwood and West Los Angeles to the east, Mar Vista to the southeast, and Venice to the south.
The city is famous for the Santa Monica Pier, a historic landmark with amusement park rides at Pacific Park, games, and ocean views. Other key attractions include the Santa Monica State Beach, the Third Street Promenade (a pedestrian-only shopping and entertainment district), and Palisades Park, which offers scenic views along the coast. Santa Monica is also recognized as "Silicon Beach" due to its thriving tech and startup scene, and is home to headquarters of companies such as Skydance Media, Hulu, Activision Blizzard, and Universal Music Group. In November 2025, downtown Santa Monica began a $60 million revitalization effort that includes tree pruning and planting to enhance street conditions and safety. Santa Monica is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025, marking its development in 1875.
