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United States of America

Santa Monica

Administrative territorial entity Charter city City City in the United States Restaurant

Santa Monica, Coastal city in Los Angeles County, United States

Description

Santa Monica stretches along three kilometers of Pacific Ocean shoreline, offering beaches, a wooden pier and a pedestrian shopping district. The city sits west of downtown Los Angeles, directly bordering Venice Beach to the south and reaching toward Malibu to the north.

History

The Tongva people first lived along this coastline, using sacred springs until Spanish explorers arrived in 1769 and named the area Santa Monica. By the late 1800s, the settlement grew into a seaside resort, and the wooden pier was built in the early 1900s to serve fishermen and visitors.

Culture

Street performers regularly entertain crowds on Third Street Promenade, where locals and visitors stroll among shops, restaurants and cinemas. A farmers market draws regional growers each week, bringing produce directly to residents and guests who gather to shop and socialize.

Practical

The Metro E Line connects downtown Los Angeles to the coast, while the Big Blue Bus network provides local routes throughout the city. Bicycles and pedestrian paths run along the waterfront, making it easier to move between beach, pier and shopping areas.

Did you know?

The Ferris wheel at Pacific Park runs entirely on solar power, marking the western end of the old Route 66 highway. Camera Obscura, an optical device dating to 1898, still operates in Palisades Park, projecting a live image of the coastline into a darkened room for visitors.

Location

Los Angeles County

Inception

August 3, 1769

Elevation above the sea

32 m

Shares border with

Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Venice, Los Angeles

Address

1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Opening Hours

Lundi-Jeudi 07:30-17:30; Vendredi 08:00-17:00

Phone

+13104588411

Website

https://santamonica.gov

GPS coordinates

34.02194,-118.48139

Latest update

December 14, 2025 18:29

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