They share a coastline, they share a bike path, and from the outside, they might seem interchangeable. But spend a weekend in Santa Monica and a weekend in Venice, and you'll understand why locals consider them completely different worlds.
As someone looking for a furnished apartment on the Westside, this is probably the biggest decision you'll make. Whether you're here for a corporate housing assignment or a longer stay, let's break it down.
The TL;DR Version
Santa Monica is the polished, family-friendly, corporate-adjacent beach town. Think: Tech workers, young families, people who want beach life with good schools and Whole Foods.
Venice is the bohemian, eclectic, anything-goes beach town. Think: Artists, entrepreneurs, people who value authenticity over polish and don't mind things being a little weird.
Quick Stats
| Metric | Santa Monica | Venice Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Walk Score | 86 | 79 |
| Transit Score | Excellent (Expo Line) | Limited (bus only) |
| LAX Airport | 25-35 min via Lincoln | 20-30 min via Lincoln |
| Google (Playa Vista) | 12-15 min | 8-12 min |
| Downtown LA | 50 min (Expo Line) | 55+ min (bus/car) |
🚗 The Local's Shortcuts
Lincoln Boulevard is your secret weapon. While everyone sits on the 405, Lincoln runs parallel all the way from Santa Monica to LAX. Add 10 minutes, save your sanity. For east-west travel, Pico Boulevard moves faster than Olympic or Santa Monica Blvd most of the time. And if you're heading to Venice from the 10, exit at Centinela—not Lincoln—and cut through Mar Vista. You're welcome.
Quick Comparison
| Santa Monica | Venice Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Polished, family-friendly, upscale | Bohemian, eclectic, edgy |
| Best For | Tech workers, families, professionals | Creatives, entrepreneurs, singles |
| Avg. Rent (1BR) | $3,200 - $4,500 | $2,800 - $4,000 |
| Transit | Expo Line to DTLA (excellent) | Limited (bus only) |
| Nightlife | Upscale bars, hotel lounges | Dive bars, live music, cannabis lounges |
| Safety | Generally safer, more patrolled | More variable, depends on block |
| Parking | Easier with permits | Nightmare (especially Abbot Kinney) |
| Beach Vibe | Clean, families, volleyball | Performers, Muscle Beach, drum circles |
Santa Monica: The Polished Beach Town
🏖️ Santa Monica
Santa Monica has transformed from a sleepy beach town into a genuine urban center. The Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place provide world-class shopping, the restaurant scene rivals anywhere in LA, and the Expo Line connects you to Downtown LA in about 50 minutes.
✓ Pros
- Expo Line direct to Downtown LA
- Excellent dining (Rustic Canyon, Cassia)
- Very walkable downtown
- Great farmers markets (Wed & Sat)
- Safer, cleaner streets
- Close to tech offices (Google, Snap)
✗ Cons
- More expensive
- Can feel corporate/sterile
- Tourist crowds at pier
- Parking still expensive
- Less "character"
🏢 Silicon Beach: The Tech Connection
Santa Monica is ground zero for LA's tech scene. Major employers include:
- Snap Inc. – Multiple buildings throughout SM
- Hulu – Headquartered in Santa Monica
- Activision Blizzard – Major gaming studio
- Amazon Studios – Just down the road in Culver City
- Google – Massive Playa Vista campus nearby
If you're working at any of these companies, Santa Monica puts you within a 10-15 minute commute. Check out our Santa Monica furnished apartments—all come with high-speed WiFi for those WFH days.
Santa Monica Neighborhoods
- Downtown Santa Monica: Most urban, walkable, close to Expo Line
- Montana Avenue: Quieter, upscale, great boutiques and cafes
- Main Street: Between SM and Venice, artsy vibe
- Ocean Park: Residential, near beach, more affordable
💎 Santa Monica Hidden Gem: Tongva Park
Everyone knows Palisades Park, but Tongva Park (next to City Hall) is where locals actually go. Meandering paths, ocean views, and rarely crowded. Perfect for walking calls. On Wednesday or Saturday mornings, combine it with the farmers market on Arizona Ave—the best produce in LA, no exaggeration.
Venice Beach: The Bohemian Beach Town
🎭 Venice Beach
Venice is what happens when artists, surfers, tech money, and old-school LA collide. Abbot Kinney is one of the best shopping streets in America. The canals are a hidden oasis. And the boardwalk... well, the boardwalk is an experience unto itself.
✓ Pros
- Abbot Kinney (amazing shopping/dining)
- Venice Canals (stunning walks)
- Authentic neighborhood character
- Great for creatives and entrepreneurs
- Slightly more affordable than SM
- Incredible people-watching
✗ Cons
- No direct Metro access
- Parking is brutal
- Homelessness more visible
- Safety varies by block
- Can be noisy (especially weekends)
Venice Neighborhoods
- Abbot Kinney: The famous street. Trendy, expensive, always crowded
- Venice Canals: Quiet, residential, beautiful walks
- Rose Avenue: Up-and-coming, good restaurants, less touristy
- Oakwood: More residential, historically Black neighborhood, changing rapidly
💎 Venice Hidden Gem: The Venice Canals at Golden Hour
Skip the boardwalk circus and walk the Venice Canals at sunset. Enter from Venice Blvd and Washington, not the tourist side. You'll have the footbridges mostly to yourself, see ducks and turtles, and understand why people pay $3M for these houses. Bring wine (technically not legal, but locals do it anyway). This is the Venice that exists away from the TikTok crowds.
Day-to-Day: What's Different?
Morning Coffee
Santa Monica: You walk to Blue Bottle or Philz, grab a cortado, and see other laptop warriors settling in for focused work sessions.
Venice: You bike to Intelligentsia on Abbot Kinney, dodge a guy doing yoga on the sidewalk, and overhear someone pitching a startup idea involving NFTs and meditation.
Weekend Brunch
Santa Monica: Reservations recommended at Huckleberry or Milo & Olive. Expect well-dressed families and couples.
Venice: Walk-in at Gjelina or The Butcher's Daughter. Expect creative types, influencers, and people who look like they just came from (or are heading to) a music festival.
Night Out
Santa Monica: Craft cocktails at The Misfit, dinner at Rustic Canyon, maybe catch a movie at the AMC.
Venice: Dive bar at The Townhouse/Del Monte Speakeasy, live music at The Venice West, possibly ending up at someone's rooftop party you weren't invited to.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Santa Monica if:
- You work in tech (especially at Snap, Hulu, or nearby companies)
- You value safety and cleanliness
- You want excellent transit access
- You have a family or prefer a quieter lifestyle
- Walkability and amenities matter more than "character"
Choose Venice if:
- You're a creative professional or entrepreneur
- You value authenticity and neighborhood character
- You don't need public transit (have a car or bike)
- You enjoy a more eclectic, unpredictable environment
- Abbot Kinney and the canals are calling your name
Not a beach person? Consider West Hollywood for central nightlife and dining, or Hollywood if you're in the entertainment industry. Our full neighborhood guide covers all of LA.
"The best way to decide? Spend a Saturday in each. Walk around, get coffee, have lunch. You'll know within a few hours which one feels like home."
Ready for Beach Living?
We have furnished apartments in Santa Monica with flexible lease terms. All move-in ready with high-speed WiFi and beach bikes.
View Santa Monica ApartmentsWhat About Marina del Rey or Playa Vista?
Can't decide between Santa Monica and Venice? Consider these nearby alternatives:
- Marina del Rey: Quieter, waterfront living, great for boaters. More residential and less "scene."
- Playa Vista: Newer development, close to Google/YouTube campus, family-friendly with good parks.
- Playa del Rey: Small beach town vibe, less crowded beaches, under the flight path (noise).
Or maybe beach living isn't for you at all—Downtown LA offers a completely different urban experience, while Silverlake gives you that creative neighborhood feel without the tourist crowds. Read our guide on Downtown LA's Arts District vs Financial District if you're considering a move inland.
Each has its own personality. Reach out to our team if you want help finding the right Westside neighborhood for you—or anywhere else in LA. We've been matching people with the right LA neighborhoods for over 13 years.
