Where is Santa Monica, California Located in the United States? - Santa Monica is a city located in the Los Angeles County in California, United States. Santa Monica lies between 34.0195 Degrees North latitudes and -118.4912 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California
About Map: The map shows the location of Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California.
Santa Monica Map, California, USA
About Santa Monica Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.
About Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
Santa Monica is located in Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States along the Pacific Ocean coastline west of downtown Los Angeles. The city was incorporated in 1886 and was named after Saint Monica, and it developed as a seaside resort community before becoming a major center for tourism, technology, and entertainment.
Population
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Santa Monica is 93,076 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 10,900 people per square mile.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Santa Monica covers a total area of approximately 8.4 square miles (about 21.8 square kilometers), including about 8.3 square miles (21.5 square kilometers) of land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 square kilometers) of water.
Location and Surroundings
Santa Monica is situated west of downtown Los Angeles and north of Venice, positioned along Santa Monica Bay. The city features sandy beaches, coastal bluffs, and a dense urban core that reflects its role as a popular coastal destination. Interstate 10 and Pacific Coast Highway provide major transportation routes connecting Santa Monica to surrounding communities.
Top Attractions
Santa Monica offers a wide range of recreational and cultural attractions that draw visitors from around the world. Popular destinations include the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, and Palisades Park overlooking the ocean. The city is also home to Santa Monica College, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.
Transportation
Santa Monica is served by Interstate 10 and Pacific Coast Highway, offering direct highway access to Los Angeles and coastal communities. Public transportation includes Metro rail and bus services linking the city to downtown Los Angeles and other parts of the metropolitan area. The nearest major airport is Los Angeles International Airport, located approximately 8 miles to the south.
Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.
Sources:
Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Santa Monica City Website.
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Santa Monica, California Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Santa Monica |
| County | Los Angeles County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 34.0195° N |
| Longitude | 118.4912° W |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Land Area | 8.41 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.00 sq mi |
| Total Area | 8.41 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 93,076 |
| Population Density | 11,067 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 90401, 90402, 90403, 90404, 90405 |
| Area Code | 310, 424 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8 |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-70000 |
| Congressional District | California's 36th Congressional District |
Transportation and Connectivity in Santa Monica, California
| Transportation Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Los Angeles International Airport / Santa Monica Airport (closed to aviation operations) |
| IATA Code | LAX |
| Port | Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach (Regional Access) |
| Major Highways | Interstate 10, Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1), Interstate 405 (Nearby) |
| Train Service | Metro E Line (Light Rail) |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Big Blue Bus and Los Angeles Metro services |
- Interstate 10: Connects Santa Monica with downtown Los Angeles and inland Southern California.
- Pacific Coast Highway: Provides scenic coastal access through Los Angeles County and the Central Coast.
- Metro E Line: Provides light rail service between Santa Monica and East Los Angeles.
- Los Angeles International Airport: Provides domestic and international air connections nearby.
Top Places to Visit in Santa Monica, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Santa Monica Pier | Historic Pier and Waterfront Attraction |
| Santa Monica State Beach | Beach Recreation Area |
| Third Street Promenade | Shopping and Entertainment District |
| Palisades Park | Oceanfront Park |
| Annenberg Community Beach House | Beach Recreation Facility |
| Santa Monica History Museum | History Museum |
| Tongva Park | Urban Park |
| Ocean Avenue | Scenic Coastal Area |
| Bergamot Station Arts Center | Arts District |
| Montana Avenue | Shopping and Dining District |
Driving Distances from Santa Monica, California to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | California | 15 mi | 30 minutes |
| Beverly Hills | California | 7 mi | 20 minutes |
| Malibu | California | 13 mi | 25 minutes |
| Culver City | California | 8 mi | 20 minutes |
| Venice | California | 3 mi | 10 minutes |
| Pasadena | California | 30 mi | 45 minutes |
| Long Beach | California | 35 mi | 50 minutes |
| Anaheim | California | 50 mi | 1 hour |
| Santa Barbara | California | 90 mi | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| San Diego | California | 140 mi | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Colleges and Universities Near Santa Monica, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica College | Public | Community College | Transfer programs, arts, technology, and career education |
| Loyola Marymount University | Private | University | Business, film, engineering, and liberal arts programs |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Public | University | Research, medicine, engineering, arts, and sciences |
| Pepperdine University | Private | University | Business, law, education, and liberal arts programs |
| Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District | Public | K–12 District | Primary and secondary education |
Waterbodies Near Santa Monica, California
Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Bay, Ballona Creek, and nearby coastal waterways along Los Angeles County.
Golf Courses Near Santa Monica
Penmar Golf Course, Riviera Country Club, Rancho Park Golf Course, Brentwood Country Club, and Los Angeles Country Club.
Santa Monica, California — Key Historical Facts
- The Santa Monica area was originally inhabited by the Tongva Native American people.
- The city was founded in 1875 and named after Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine.
- Santa Monica developed as a seaside resort community with beaches, hotels, and transportation connections to Los Angeles.
- The Santa Monica Pier opened in 1909 and became one of the city’s most recognized landmarks.
- The city became an important center for aviation, entertainment, and business during the 20th century.
- Today, Santa Monica is known for its beaches, parks, historic pier, shopping districts, and coastal lifestyle.
Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near Santa Monica
| Facility Name | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica College Corsair Field | College Sports Stadium | Santa Monica, California |
| Santa Monica High School Corsair Stadium | High School Sports Stadium | Santa Monica, California |
| Virginia Avenue Park Sports Facilities | Community Recreation Facility | Santa Monica, California |
| SoFi Stadium | Professional Football Stadium | Inglewood, California |
| Crypto.com Arena | Professional Sports Arena | Los Angeles, California |
References
- City of Santa Monica Official Website
- Los Angeles County Government
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Visit California Tourism
- Santa Monica College
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