Here's the morning routine nobody tells you about in Santa Monica: You wake up, walk to the beach, catch a few waves at Bay Street before 8 AM, rinse off at the outdoor showers, and you're at your desk at Snap or Hulu by 9:15—salt still in your hair, already more productive than you've ever been.
That's not a fantasy. That's Tuesday for people who live here.
Santa Monica is the crown jewel of Silicon Beach—where tech money meets beach culture, where wellness isn't a trend but a commute, and where the marine layer keeps you 15 degrees cooler than the Valley while everyone else melts. For corporate professionals and tech executives, there's no better address in Los Angeles.
Santa Monica at a Glance
| Metric | Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Walk Score | 86 — Very Walkable |
| Bike Score | 95 — Biker's Paradise |
| Transit Score | 59 — Excellent (Expo/E Line) |
| Snap Inc. HQ | 5-10 minutes (multiple buildings) |
| Hulu HQ | 8-12 minutes |
| Google (Playa Vista) | 12-15 minutes via Lincoln |
| Downtown LA (via E Line) | 50 minutes (no traffic, no parking) |
| LAX Airport | 20-30 minutes via Lincoln Blvd |
🌊 The Marine Layer Advantage
Here's something East Coast transplants and Valley refugees learn fast: when it's 98°F in Burbank and 95°F downtown, Santa Monica is sitting at a comfortable 75°F. The marine layer—that morning fog that burns off by noon—is nature's air conditioning. You'll sleep better, you'll run cooler, and your electricity bill will thank you. It's not just nice weather; it's a lifestyle subsidy.
💼 Silicon Beach Pro-Tip
The Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers Market on Arizona Ave isn't just a farmers market—it's where the city's Michelin-starred chefs shop. You'll spot the teams from Rustic Canyon, Cassia, and Mélisse picking out produce before the crowds arrive. Get there by 8:30 AM, grab coffee from one of the vendors, and do your weekly shopping where LA's best restaurants do theirs. It's the Santa Monica power move.
The Silicon Beach Tech Hub
Forget the idea that tech only happens in San Francisco. Silicon Beach is real, and Santa Monica is its capital.
🏢 Snap Inc.
Snapchat's parent company has scattered its offices across Santa Monica—you'll see the Ghostface Chillah logo on buildings throughout the city. Many of our Santa Monica furnished apartments put you within walking or biking distance of at least one Snap building. Skip the parking garage entirely.
🏢 Hulu
The streaming giant's headquarters is right here. Add in the constant flow of entertainment and tech professionals doing business in Santa Monica, and you'll understand why the coffee shops are full of laptop workers who aren't just freelancers.
🏢 Activision Blizzard
The gaming giant behind Call of Duty and World of Warcraft calls Santa Monica home. Between Activision, Riot Games (nearby in West LA), and dozens of smaller studios, Santa Monica is quietly one of the biggest gaming hubs in the world.
🏢 Google & Amazon (Playa Vista)
Google's massive LA campus and Amazon Studios are just down Lincoln in Playa Vista. Many Google and Amazon employees choose to live in Santa Monica for the beach lifestyle and reverse-commute south. The 15-minute drive feels like nothing compared to Bay Area traffic.
The Santa Monica Neighborhoods
Santa Monica isn't one neighborhood—it's several distinct micro-neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Knowing the difference matters.
🌿 Montana Avenue: The Local's Secret
The vibe: Quiet, upscale, boutique shopping, the "North of Wilshire" prestige address.
Best for: Families, executives who want peace and quiet, anyone who prefers brunch to bars.
Montana Avenue sits at Santa Monica's northern edge, home to more than 150 restaurants and retailers along a tree-lined stretch that feels worlds away from the Pier and Promenade. From sunrise to sunset, a steady stream of shoppers browse the boutiques alongside A-list celebrities, out-of-towners, and parents pushing strollers—none of whom seem in a hurry to leave the wealth of juice bars, latte vendors, and outdoor cafés.
This is where you live if you want the beach lifestyle without the beach crowds. Late-night options are limited, but that's the point.
- Caffe Luxxe — The coffee shop for Montana locals. Italian-style espresso, quiet enough for calls.
- Go Get Em Tiger — LA specialty coffee standard. Great for remote work.
- Father's Office (Montana Ave) — The original location of LA's most famous burger. No substitutions, no ketchup, no complaints.
🌊 Ocean Avenue & Downtown Santa Monica
The vibe: Luxury high-rises, ocean views, walking distance to everything, some tourist energy.
Best for: Executives who want premium addresses, people who prioritize views and walkability.
Ocean Avenue is the postcard—bluff-top views, Palisades Park for morning runs, and the Pacific as your backyard. Downtown Santa Monica puts you steps from the Expo Line, Third Street Promenade, and the best restaurants in the city. Yes, there are tourists near the Pier. But two blocks inland, it's all locals.
🍸 Elephante
The sunset cocktail spot in Santa Monica. Mediterranean food, ocean views, and the kind of atmosphere that makes clients say yes. This is where deals get discussed and relationships get built. Book a table on the terrace and time it for golden hour.
🍸 The Misfit Bar & Restaurant
Craft cocktails in a stunning space—tin ceilings, moody lighting, and bartenders who know their stuff. The kind of bar that feels like a discovery even though it's been here for years. Great food menu too. This is your go-to when Elephante is too scene-y.
🏄 Main Street & Ocean Park
The vibe: Local, surf-influenced, farmer's market Sundays, the "real" Santa Monica.
Best for: Creatives, surfers, anyone who wants neighborhood character over polish.
Main Street is where Santa Monica feels least like a tourist destination and most like a beach town. Local boutiques, surf shops, Sunday farmers market, and restaurants that have been here for decades. This is the Santa Monica that existed before Silicon Beach.
🎷 Harvelle's Blues Club
Live blues and jazz since 1931—the oldest live music venue on the Westside. No cover most nights, real musicians, and a crowd that's here for the music. When you need a night that isn't about tech or networking, Harvelle's delivers soul.
💎 Hidden Gem: Brennan's
Come for the turtle races, stay for the great beer and food. Yes, turtle races—every Thursday night, this Lincoln Blvd institution hosts the most uniquely LA event you'll find. Beyond the reptile athletics, Brennan's has an expanded outdoor dining area, a spacious field for classic bar games, and the kind of unpretentious vibe that reminds you Santa Monica isn't just tech money and yoga studios. This is where locals go when they want to feel like locals.
The Wellness Lifestyle
In Santa Monica, fitness isn't something you schedule—it's infrastructure. The city is designed for movement.
🏃 The Santa Monica Stairs
The most intense free workout in LA. The 4th Street site features a narrow, steep 189-step concrete staircase that will destroy your legs in the best way. A more forgiving wooden set is located nearby for recovery days. You'll see everyone from celebrities to firefighters training here at dawn. Parking fills quickly on residential streets—bike or walk if you can. Do three sets and you've earned your beach day.
🚴 The Marvin Braude Bike Trail
From Pacific Palisades to Torrance, 22 miles of car-free coastal path. Your "commute" to the Google campus in Playa Vista can be a 25-minute bike ride along the ocean. Grab a beach cruiser or e-bike and experience why people pay premium rent to live here.
- Bay Street Beach — The local's surf spot, less crowded than the Pier breaks
- Palisades Park — Bluff-top running path with ocean views
- Santa Monica Swim Center — Olympic-sized outdoor pool, open to the public
The Food Scene
🥪 Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
The Godmother sandwich is legendary—a combination of Italian meats, cheese, and that signature bread that people drive across LA for. The line is always long. It's always worth it. This is the lunch spot that every Santa Monica local swears by, and you'll understand why after one bite. Pro tip: call ahead for pickup.
- Rustic Canyon — Farm-to-table California cuisine, one of LA's best restaurants
- Cassia — Southeast Asian brasserie from the Rustic Canyon team
- Forma — Handmade pasta finished in a cheese wheel, Montana Ave
- Tar & Roses — Wood-fired everything, great wine list
The Car-Free Commute
Here's what makes Santa Monica unique in LA: you can actually live without a car if you want to.
🚇 The Expo Line (E Line) Advantage
The Metro E Line connects Santa Monica to Downtown LA, Culver City, and USC in a clean, modern train. Leave your car at home, take the train to a meeting downtown, and never think about the 10 freeway. For executives splitting time between Westside and DTLA clients, this is transformational. The Downtown Santa Monica station is steps from the beach.
- Big Blue Bus — Santa Monica's own bus system, cleaner and more reliable than Metro buses
- E-bikes and scooters — Bird, Lime, and others make short trips effortless
- Bike lanes — Protected lanes on major streets make cycling actually viable
Many of our Santa Monica corporate housing guests are surprised to find they use their car only on weekends—if at all.
Explore Our Santa Monica Collection
Furnished apartments in Montana Avenue, Downtown Santa Monica, and Ocean Park. Walk to the beach, bike to the office, live the California dream.
View Santa Monica ApartmentsWho Santa Monica is Perfect For
- Tech executives at Snap, Hulu, and Activision who want to walk or bike to work
- Google and Amazon employees willing to reverse-commute for beach living
- Wellness-focused professionals who want fitness built into daily life
- Remote workers who want ocean views and great coffee shops
- Anyone escaping extreme weather—the marine layer is nature's AC
Not Sure Santa Monica is Right for You?
Santa Monica is premium—both in lifestyle and price. Consider these alternatives:
- West Hollywood — More central, near Cedars-Sinai and Century City. See our WeHo Executive Guide.
- Hollywood — Studio proximity for entertainment industry. Read our Hollywood Insider Guide.
- Downtown LA — True urban living, best transit. Check our DTLA Executive Guide.
- Silverlake — Creative neighborhood, more affordable. See our Silverlake Coffee Guide.
Comparing beach neighborhoods? Read our detailed Santa Monica vs Venice Beach comparison.
Questions about Silicon Beach living? Contact our team—we've been housing tech professionals and executives for over 13 years. Or browse all our Los Angeles neighborhoods to compare.
