Santa Monica: Where Lifestyle Meets Real Estate Potential
Santa Monica embodies the quintessential Southern California lifestyle. This vibrant coastal city boasts stunning beaches, world-class dining, and a lively atmosphere. Residents enjoy a relaxed, outdoor-centric lifestyle with easy access to walking and biking trails along the iconic Santa Monica Pier and beachfront. While the real estate market is highly competitive, Santa Monica offers an eclectic mix of housing opportunities, from luxurious beachfront properties and upscale condos to charming historic homes catering to diverse tastes and budgets. Santa Monica’s desirability ensures robust property values and potential for investment appreciation.
Santa Monica Neighborhoods
Explore Santa Monica’s diverse neighborhoods, from bustling downtown to beachy escapes and charming residential areas.
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Downtown Santa Monica
Heart of the action, bustling with shopping, dining, and entertainment.
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Main Street
Laid-back and artsy, embodies the classic Santa Monica surf vibe.
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Mid City
Residential and convenient, known for good medical facilities and easy errands.
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Montana Avenue
Upscale shopping street with a blend of boutiques and restaurants.
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Northeast Santa Monica
Primarily residential with a few hidden gems like lawn bowling and fly fishing areas.
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Ocean Avenue
Prestigious stretch along the coast with luxurious beachfront homes and hotels.
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Ocean Park
Blends residential living with proximity to the beach and a slightly edgier vibe.
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Pico Boulevard
Diverse area with a mix of cultures and a range of housing options.
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Sunset Park
More affordable compared to other areas, offering a working-class feel.
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Wilshire Boulevard
Major thoroughfare cutting across the city, with various pockets of residential and commercial areas.
Latest Market Stats
Single Family Homes
Homes Sold
159
Median Sold Price
4.45M
Median Days on Mkt.
25
Condominiums
Condos Sold
210
Median Sold Price
1.3M
Median Days on Mkt.
38
January 1 – July 1, 2025 statistics.
Santa Monica Demographics
Santa Monica attracts an affluent and well-educated demographic. The city has a higher-than-average median household income and is predominantly White (non-Hispanic). It also hosts a significant Asian population and a growing number of mixed-race residents. Santa Monica skews slightly older than the national median age, likely influenced by established professionals and retirees enjoying the coastal lifestyle. Overall, the city offers a diverse blend of residents, particularly those seeking a comfortable, upscale environment with a focus on healthy living and proximity to the beach.
Population
93,076
Median Age
42
Avg. Income
$170,644
Walk Score
83/100
Bike Score
88/100
Transit Score
60/100
Make Your Santa Monica Move Easy with Gary Limjap
If you’re looking to buy or sell property in Santa Monica, consider connecting with realtor Gary Limjap. With 40 years of experience and a proven track record of hundreds of successful transactions in the area, Gary brings deep local knowledge and expertise to the table. He prioritizes client needs and is known for his integrity, clear communication, and effective negotiation skills – all qualities that can make a significant difference in navigating the Santa Monica real estate market.
Featured Listings
Explore current homes for sale in Santa Monica
- 2 bed
- 3 bath
- ~1669 sqft
- $1,749,000
2 Bedroom Santa Monica Townhouse on 15th Street
This fully renovated Santa Monica townhouse features a brand new kitchen, dramatic 2-story ceilings with skylights, private sundeck, 2-car garage, and multiple patios in Franklin School District.
- 2 bed
- 2.5 bath
- ~1602 sqft
- $1,529,000
2 Bedroom Santa Monica Townhome on 3rd Street
Three blocks from the ocean in Santa Monica, this light-filled coastal townhome features soaring vaulted ceilings, an indoor-outdoor living space, and the convenience of a direct-access private two-car garage.
- 2 bed
- 2.5 bath
- ~1600 sqft
- $1,249,000
Brentwood Living at 1160 Granville Avenue
Discover sophisticated Brentwood living at 1160 Granville Avenue #108—a beautifully updated 2-bed, 2.5-bath tri-level corner townhome with 1,600 sq ft, bonus room, remodeled kitchen, and private garage.
Beach Vibes and City Life
From Brentwood’s rolling hills to Santa Monica’s oceanfront, the Westside is LA’s lifestyle destination. Indulge in world-class real estate, upscale shopping, award-winning dining, and highly sought-after neighborhoods.
Essential Real Estate Intel
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Finding the Perfect Santa Monica Neighborhood for Your Lifestyle
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SB 326: The Balcony Law and What it Means for Your Westside LA Condo
If you own a condo on the Westside of Los Angeles, you need to understand how the SB 326 condo…
West Los Angeles Neighborhood Guide: Find Your Perfect Enclave
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Gary Limjap: A Name You Can Rely On
Frequently asked questions about Santa Monica real estate
What neighborhoods make up Santa Monica?
Santa Monica is generally divided into North of Montana, Wilshire-Montana, Mid-City, Sunset Park, Ocean Park, and the Pico district. Each has distinct character, price ranges, and school feeder patterns. The full overview is in the city neighborhood guides on garylimjap.com.
What is the median home price in Santa Monica in 2026?
The 2026 single-family median sits in the $3.0 million to $3.2 million range city-wide, with significant variation by neighborhood. North of Montana medians are around $5.2 million. Sunset Park medians are in the $2.3 million to $2.5 million range. Condos start in the high $700s for one-bedroom units.
Which Santa Monica neighborhoods are best for families?
Sunset Park and parts of North of Montana have the strongest family demand, driven primarily by Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District feeder patterns. Grant Elementary, Will Rogers Elementary, John Adams Middle, and Santa Monica High School are the most commonly cited assignments.
How do Santa Monica condo HOAs handle SB 326 compliance?
California SB 326 required every condominium HOA to inspect exterior elevated elements (balconies, decks, walkways) by January 1, 2025. Compliant Santa Monica buildings present the inspection report to buyers and lenders; non-compliant buildings face insurance and mortgage warrantability problems. See the SB 326 guide on garylimjap.com for the details.
What schools serve Santa Monica residents?
Santa Monica residents attend the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The most commonly referenced schools are Roosevelt, Franklin, Grant, and Will Rogers Elementary, Lincoln and John Adams Middle, and Santa Monica High School. School assignment is address-based, so confirm specific assignment by address with SMMUSD.
How long do Santa Monica homes typically stay on the market?
Well-priced single-family homes in Santa Monica typically go under contract within 14 to 21 days in the 2026 market. Condos run a bit longer, particularly in buildings with SB 326 or insurance issues. Overpriced listings sit, often for 60 days or more.
Is Santa Monica a good investment market in 2026?
Yes, for buyers with a long enough hold horizon. Santa Monica supply is structurally limited (no significant new single-family inventory is being created) and demand drivers (schools, beach access, employment base, coastal premium) are durable. The strongest investment fundamentals are in Sunset Park, driven by ADU potential and the 2028 airport closure.
Who is a good Santa Monica real estate agent?
Gary Limjap has been selling homes in Santa Monica for 40 years across more than 2,100 closed transactions. He represents both buyers and sellers across all Santa Monica neighborhoods and price points, with particular depth in single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and income properties. Reach him at (310) 430-0818 or garylimjap@gmail.com.