Zip code 90403, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. 90403 covers the middle of the city between Montana Avenue and Wilshire, where condos make up most sales, so medians lean toward condos. Santa Monica spans several zips. Zip codes don't line up neatly with neighborhood borders, and medians hide a wide range of homes, so treat these as a rough feel for the area.
The city opened a plain Municipal Pier in 1909, built mainly to carry a sewer line past the surf, and it quickly became a fishing spot. In 1916 carousel builder Charles Looff and his son Arthur added a pleasure pier alongside it, with the Hippodrome carousel building that still stands today, and the two joined piers became the postcard image of Santa Monica.
The homes
Santa Monica packs a lot of variety into about eight square miles. North of Montana is the city's most residential corner, with 1920s to 1950s Spanish, traditional and Cape Cod style houses and large new builds on bigger, flat lots. South toward Venice, Ocean Park has Craftsman bungalows, beach cottages and modern infill on small lots a few blocks from the sand. Inland, Sunset Park has postwar bungalows and ranch houses on smaller lots, many remodeled or rebuilt.
The middle of the city, from Wilshire Montana to Mid-City and Downtown, is mostly condos, townhomes and older apartment buildings, which is why condos come up for sale here more often than houses. Architecture fans know Santa Monica for Frank Gehry's own house, a 1978 remodel of a Dutch Colonial bungalow wrapped in chain link and corrugated metal that helped make his name.
The feel
- The beach and the Pier. Wide sand runs the length of the city, with the beach bike path heading north toward the Palisades and south to Venice and Marina del Rey.
- Palisades Park sits on the bluff along Ocean Avenue, with palms, benches and ocean views, and the California Incline drops down to Pacific Coast Highway.
- Main Street, Montana Avenue and the Promenade. Main Street in Ocean Park has cafes, restaurants and shops, Montana Avenue has boutiques, and the Third Street Promenade is the car-free shopping street Downtown.
- Farmers markets. The Wednesday market on Arizona Avenue is one of LA's best-known farmers markets, and smaller markets run on weekends.
- Ocean air. It's often cooler here than inland, with marine layer mornings in late spring and early summer. See LA weather for how the coast compares.
Eat, drink, shop
- Rustic Canyon (Wilshire Blvd). A long-running Californian dining room built around seasonal produce, local meat and seafood. Time Out
- Bay Cities Italian Deli (Lincoln Blvd). An old-school Italian deli and market, famous for its Godmother sandwich. Time Out
- Pasjoli (Main St). A French bistro for onion soup, steak frites and sole meunière. Time Out
- Shunji Japanese Cuisine (Ocean Park Blvd). A sushi omakase counter with a devoted following. Time Out
- Holy Basil (Santa Monica Blvd). Street-style Thai cooking made with local, seasonal ingredients. Time Out
- Jyan Isaac Bread (Ocean Park Blvd). A sourdough bakery with a lunch menu and weekend brunch. Time Out
Getting around
The Metro E Line ends at Downtown Santa Monica, with trains to Culver City, USC and Downtown LA. The 10 starts here, Pacific Coast Highway heads north to the Palisades and Malibu, and Venice and Brentwood are next door. LAX is often 25 to 35 minutes off-peak. Rush hour toward the 405 takes planning, and bikes and scooters are a big part of getting around the flat parts of town.
What's new
- Santa Monica Pier bridge. The 1930s bridge from Ocean Avenue to the Pier is being replaced. Work began in December 2025, a temporary pedestrian bridge is now the main entrance, and completion is expected in late 2027. The Pier stays open throughout. (City of Santa Monica)
- Seline's big year. Chef Dave Beran of Seline, the tasting menu restaurant that opened in Ocean Park in December 2024, won Best Chef: California at the 2026 James Beard Awards, and Seline holds a Michelin star. (James Beard Foundation)
Good to know
- It's its own city. Santa Monica has its own permits, building rules and planning process, separate from the City of LA. Verify with the City of Santa Monica.
- Its own transfer tax. Santa Monica charges an additional transfer tax on higher-priced sales. Ask your escrow officer how it applies.
- Rent control. Many older multi-unit buildings fall under Santa Monica's rent control rules, which matters if you're looking at a duplex, a small building or a condo that's rented out.
- Coastal zone. Blocks near the beach sit in the California Coastal Zone, which can add review time for some projects.
- Condo homework. With so many condos, review HOA budgets, reserves, rules on rentals and any planned assessments before you write an offer.
Questions people ask
Is Santa Monica part of Los Angeles?
No. Santa Monica is its own city, incorporated in 1886, with its own permits, building rules, planning process and rent control board, separate from the City of LA. It also charges an additional city transfer tax on higher-priced sales, so ask your escrow officer how it applies.
What kind of homes are in Santa Monica?
A wide mix. North of Montana has single-family homes on larger lots, Ocean Park has Craftsman bungalows and beach cottages, and Sunset Park has postwar houses on smaller lots. Much of the middle of the city is condos, townhomes and older apartment buildings, many under local rent control.
How far is Santa Monica from Downtown LA?
About 15 miles. The drive on the 10 can run 30 minutes off-peak and much longer at rush hour. The Metro E Line runs from Downtown Santa Monica to Downtown LA, with stops in Culver City and near USC along the way.
What is Santa Monica known for?
The Santa Monica Pier and its Ferris wheel, wide beaches, Palisades Park on the bluff, the Third Street Promenade, Main Street's shops and restaurants, and Montana Avenue's boutiques. It also has one of the strongest restaurant scenes on the Westside, with several Michelin-recognized dining rooms.
