Santa Monica is a beachfront city of roughly 90,000 people on California's Westside, averaging 281 sunny days a year against a U.S. average of 205. Families here get direct beach access, the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park within minutes of most neighborhoods, and easy reach to both the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown Los Angeles.
Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
Population | Approximately 90,000 (2024 Census Bureau estimate; population has declined slightly since the 2020 Census) |
Sunny days per year | 281, vs. a U.S. average of 205 |
Santa Monica Pier | Open 6am-10pm daily, 365 days a year, at Ocean Ave & Colorado Blvd |
Pacific Park (on the Pier) | 380 Santa Monica Pier; rides typically open 11am-11pm daily, no admission fee, pay-per-ride |
Transit access | Metro E Line runs from downtown LA to Downtown Santa Monica Station (4th & Colorado), about 46 minutes |
Southern California draws families for its job opportunities, climate, and real estate market, and Santa Monica stands out even within that landscape. Here's what makes it a consistent draw for families specifically.
Living in a Beachfront Community
Santa Monica is a true beachfront city, not just beach-adjacent, which sets it apart from much of the greater LA area. Families here get quick, everyday beach access, and the city's coastal setting supports a steady local economy of shopping, dining, and tourism that runs right along the sand.
The Santa Monica Climate
The Endless Attractions of the Los Angeles Area
Numerous Shopping and Dining Options
Santa Monica's dining and retail scene runs from independent coffee shops to well-known chains, concentrated along the beach and throughout downtown, making it easy to combine a beach day with dinner out without much of a drive.
A Day at the Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is open 6am-10pm, 365 days a year, and is home to Pacific Park, an amusement park with rides typically running 11am-11pm daily and no admission fee (rides are pay-per-ride). The Pier also has the nonprofit Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, run by Heal the Bay, with free admission for children under 12. For families, it's a reliable, walkable outing that doesn't require planning far in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sunny days does Santa Monica get per year?
Santa Monica averages about 281 sunny days a year, compared to a U.S. average of 205, thanks to its Mediterranean climate and coastal location.
What is Santa Monica's population?
Santa Monica's population is approximately 90,000 as of the most recent Census Bureau estimates, having declined slightly from the 2020 Census count of roughly 93,000.
Is the Santa Monica Pier free to visit?
Yes. The Santa Monica Pier itself has no admission fee and is open 6am-10pm daily, 365 days a year. Pacific Park, the amusement park on the Pier, is also free to enter, with rides priced individually or via an unlimited-ride wristband.
