About Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a city of is located twenty kilometers west of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Monica Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica is also directly south of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Santa Monica is a beachside city of 8.3 square miles on the westside of Los Angeles County. Offering an environment of unparalleled natural beauty, the city is home to a mix of residential communities, commercial districts, and recreational venues. Recently named by National Geographic as one of the Top "10 Beach Cities in the World" and by TIME as one of the "Best Places to Live", Santa Monica features three miles of Pacific beaches and the Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica’s residential population is approximately 93,000, increasing to an estimated 250,000 during the day with tourists, shoppers, and employees. Tourism attracts over 8 million visitors annually.

What is known in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is home to the irresistible namesake beach and pier. Santa Monica Pier is often the first port of call for many visitors, with its iconic giant Ferris wheel, rattling steel rollercoaster, and delightfully nostalgic amusement arcades.

The city is also home to one of the region’s best-loved beaches, a perpetually sun-kissed expanse of golden sand, with plenty of gently crashing waves, ideal for budding surfers. As the sun goes down, grab an outdoor table at a hip seafront bar, and enjoy the cooling ocean breeze with a colourful cocktail in hand.

What makes Santa Monica attractive to visit?

There are plenty of things to do in Santa Monica, whether you're visiting solo or with family. This palm tree-lined, sunset-hued Californian city is more often seen on screens than in person, with far too many films and TV shows featuring the beachfront town's gorgeous scenery.

More than a few of Santa Monica’s sights mark Hollywood history in ways you would never expect. You can find an aquarium sitting beneath a mini-theme park – excellent if you have kids in tow. Avid walkers and cyclists can explore every beach on the coast via a 21-mile bike trail or hike down a beautiful path with cliff-side views. Forget Baywatch – come to Santa Monica for Santa Monica.