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Street view of Santa Monica (North of Montana)

Los Angeles

Santa Monica (North of Montana)

Beach-village family living with the strongest public schools in West LA.

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On the map

Boundary is approximate — refined per neighborhood over time.

Open in Google Maps ↗Street view ↗Walk Score ↗GreatSchools ↗Zumper listings ↗Apartments.com ↗

Pacific Relocation's take

If you want beach + schools + walkable village, this is the LA answer.

Santa Monica's North-of-Montana area is the West LA family standard — beach access, walkable Montana Avenue, and the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (strongest public schools in the LA basin). We place healthcare and entertainment families here who specifically want public schools and beach proximity. The trade is real: rents are at SF levels and the area has a defined upper boundary at Montana that creates inventory scarcity north of it. The 405 commute east is its own consideration.

Lifestyle figures

85
Walkability
60
Transit
75
Restaurants ≤ 1km
6
Parks ≤ 1km
6
Schools 8+ ≤ 2km
↑ 2.0%
Rent 12mo

Best of Santa Monica (North of Montana) for you

Walkable / key streets

  • high street
    Montana Avenuehigh street
    Montana Avenue
    0.3 km

    Ten-block boutique shopping street with the best independent retail in Santa Monica.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map
  • park
    Palisades Parkpark
    Palisades Park
    0.5 km
    4.7(8,091)

    Bluff-top linear park with Pacific views, ideal for a walking commute to the beach.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map
  • high street
    Main Street Santa Monicahigh street
    Main Street Santa Monica
    1.8 km

    Relaxed restaurant and café strip south of the neighborhood, always walkable.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map

Beach / water

  • beach
    Santa Monica State Beachbeach
    Santa Monica State Beach
    0.8 km
    4.6(1,511)

    Wide Pacific sand beach, best accessed via the bluff stairs from Palisades Park.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map
  • trail
    Marvin Braude Bike Trailtrail
    Marvin Braude Bike Trail
    0.8 km
    4.7(43)

    22-mile paved coastal path runs directly in front of this neighborhood's beach.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map
  • node
    Santa Monica Piernode
    Santa Monica Pier
    2.2 km
    4.6(133,160)·Free

    Landmark pier with weekend energy, Pacific Park, and the Route 66 endpoint sign.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map

Outdoors / hiking / parks

  • park
    Palisades Parkpark
    Palisades Park
    0.5 km
    4.7(8,091)

    26-acre bluff park — running, yoga classes, and unobstructed ocean sunsets.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map
  • park
    Rustic Canyon Recreation Centerpark
    Rustic Canyon Recreation Center
    3.0 km
    4.6(140)

    Shaded canyon park with pool and tennis, a quick drive into the Palisades.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map
  • beach
    Will Rogers State Beachbeach
    Will Rogers State Beach
    3.5 km
    4.7(4,691)

    Long uncrowded beach north of the pier, favored by local swimmers and volleyball players.

    Directions ↗Pinned on map

To buy (USD)

TypeLowMedianHigh
1 BR755,000920,0001,180,000
2 BR1,180,0001,440,0001,840,000
3 BR1,890,0002,300,0002,940,000

Estimated from local rents — placeholder, pending verified sale data.

Rent ranges (USD)

TypeLowMedianHighΔ 12mo
1 BR2,7003,2003,900↑ 2.3%
2 BR4,0005,0006,500↑ 2.0%
3 BR6,0008,00011,000↑ 1.7%

Source: Rentals.ca + Zumper Q1 2026, refreshed weekly via our rent worker.

Our advice

Before you sign a lease

  • Coastal fog and salt exposure affect older homes — verify HVAC and exterior maintenance
  • Some streets have ongoing construction; ask about current and upcoming work
  • Tourist traffic in summer affects parking and street access near the beach
  • Many homes are part-time owner residences with seasonal availability — confirm full-year lease

Pacific Relocation

Want our help finding a place here?

Book a free 30-min Discovery Call with Pacific Relocation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-27.