Santa Monica.
Ocean air, walkable streets, and a city that runs itself.
Source: CRMLS MLS data via InfoSparks, residential sales, rolling 12 months through October 2026; year over year compares to the prior 12 months. Figures change monthly; ask us for the latest numbers for your street.
Santa Monica is a small city of about eight square miles with a lot going on. You get three miles of beach, a Metro line to downtown, and blocks of very different homes, from Craftsman cottages in Ocean Park to estates north of Montana. Many residents walk to coffee in the morning and to the farmers market midweek.
We like Santa Monica because each part has its own feel. Montana Avenue is calm and residential. Main Street has more of a beach-town pace, and Sunset Park is quiet and full of families. Because the city runs its own schools, rent rules and transfer taxes, a good local agent is worth having.
Who it's for: Buyers who want to live near the beach and walk to shops and restaurants without giving up good public schools, and professionals who want a short commute to Silicon Beach.
Santa Monica neighborhoods.
North of Montana
Wide, tree-lined streets and large single-family homes. This is the city's top residential address.
Montana / Wilshire Montana
Condos and townhomes a short walk from Montana Avenue's shops.
Ocean Park
Beach cottages, Craftsmans and condos close to Main Street.
Sunset Park
Quiet streets of mid-century homes near Clover Park and the airport park land.
Mid-City
A central location near Santa Monica High School, the Expo/E Line and the medical district.
Downtown & North of Wilshire
Mostly condos, close to Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park and the pier.
Why people love it.
- About three miles of beach from the Santa Monica Pier south to the Venice border, plus the Marvin Braude bike path along the sand.
- Montana Avenue, Main Street and Third Street Promenade are three walkable shopping and dining streets, each with a different feel.
- The Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market on Arizona Avenue is one of the best-known in Southern California, and chefs shop there.
- Palisades Park on the bluff, Tongva Park, Clover Park and the Santa Monica Stairs are where locals exercise outdoors.
- The Metro E Line runs from Downtown Santa Monica to downtown LA, and the city also has a Big Blue Bus network.
- Ocean breezes keep summers cooler than inland LA.
Where locals go.
- Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe. A Wilshire Boulevard favorite for pastries and a long, relaxed breakfast.
- Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery. Lincoln Boulevard institution. Order the Godmother ahead online and skip the line.
- Father's Office (Montana Ave). The original gastropub, known for its burger and its strict no-substitutions rule.
- Santa Monica Farmers Market (Arizona Ave). The Wednesday market, where many of the city's restaurants buy their produce.
- Palisades Park. A bluff-top park with sunset views over the Pacific. Locals jog and walk dogs here.
- Santa Monica Stairs (4th Street). A steep public staircase that doubles as the city's outdoor workout.
Trails and surf.
Hiking
- Temescal Canyon. Waterfall loop just up the coast in the Palisades.
- Santa Monica Stairs. The city's outdoor workout off Adelaide Drive.
Surf
- Bay Street. Santa Monica's local beach break.
- Venice Breakwater. Just south, one of the best spots in the bay.
A perfect day in Santa Monica.
Early run or ride on the beach path from the pier up to Will Rogers, then breakfast at Huckleberry. Wednesday is the farmers market on Arizona; otherwise browse Montana Avenue. Pick up Bay Cities for a beach lunch at Tower 26. Afternoon surf lesson or a walk down Palisades Park at golden hour. Sunset drinks at Élephante, dinner at Rustic Canyon or Cassia, and the pier's Ferris wheel lit up on the walk home.
Where we send clients to eat.
Rustic Canyon
Farmers-market cooking on Wilshire; the Santa Monica restaurant that other chefs eat at.
Cassia
Southeast Asian brasserie in a 1937 telephone building; the sunbathing prawns.
Élephante
Rooftop Italian on Ocean Ave; the sunset reservation.
Bay Cities Italian Deli
The Godmother sandwich, ordered ahead, eaten on the beach.
Huckleberry
Breakfast pastries and the green eggs and ham; the Wednesday farmers-market crowd.
Giorgio Baldi
Old-school Italian by the beach in Canyon; the celebrity-sighting room.
Brennan's running list. Menus and hours change, so check before you go.
What you'll find.
Condos and townhomes make up much of the market and are the usual starting point, generally from about $800K to $2M. Single-family homes in Sunset Park, Ocean Park and Mid-City, many of them Craftsman, Spanish or mid-century, typically trade around $2M–$4M. North of Montana is the high end, where remodeled and new-construction homes often run $4M–$10M or more.
Price ranges are rough guides. Ask us for current comps.
Public & private.
| Santa Monica High School | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District |
| Franklin Elementary School | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District |
| Roosevelt Elementary School | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District |
| Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences | Independent |
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Source: Niche, 2027 Best School Districts in California, checked November 2026. Rankings change yearly.
Always confirm school boundaries for a specific address with the district.
Most Santa Monica multifamily buildings with a first certificate of occupancy before April 10, 1979 fall under the city's Rent Control Charter. If you're looking at a duplex or triplex to live in, check each unit's controlled rent and registration with the Rent Control Board before you write an offer. Owner move-in rules and the current tenants can affect both your timeline and the price.
Read the Buyer's GuideSanta Monica's documentary transfer tax steps up with price: 0.3% under $5M, 0.6% from $5M to under $8M, and 5.6% at $8M and above under Measure GS. If your home is near one of those lines, pricing just under it can save you real money. Measure ULA does not apply here because Santa Monica is a separate city from Los Angeles.
Get a home valuationSanta Monica questions.
Is Santa Monica part of the City of Los Angeles?
No. Santa Monica is its own city, with its own government, police, schools (SMMUSD), rent control and transfer taxes. That's why LA's Measure ULA does not apply here.
What is the most expensive area of Santa Monica?
North of Montana, the area between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard, is generally the priciest. It's known for large lots and newer luxury homes.
Does Santa Monica have rent control?
Yes. Most multifamily units built before April 10, 1979 are covered by the city's Rent Control Charter. Single-family homes and condos are generally exempt from rent limits under state law.
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