Apartments for Rent in Santa Monica, CA (6,335 Rentals)

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Los Angeles's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Los Angeles and the best places to live with original content written by our Los Angeles, CA Local Expert Rachel Presser

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Santa Monica, CA Local Guide

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Santa Monica Overview

If you want to live in a city that has it all, look no further than Santa Monica, California. This beachside town is nestled in a spot between an excellent coastline and the city of Los Angeles. Apartments in Santa Monica offer residents a fantastic lifestyle.

What is the history of Santa Monica?

The city's location has been inhabited for centuries, starting with the Gabrielino and Chumash tribes. In 1542, the first European contact was made, and the area was named after Santa Monica (Saint Monica) in 1769 when Gaspar de Portola and his men took a break in a lovely, shady spot near two springs. The area went from Spanish to Mexican to American control over the years, and in 1875, lots were auctioned to form a town. Since then, Santa Monica has grown into one of the best-loved cities in Southern California.

How is the weather in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has an amazing year-round climate. In winter, the city can get some rain, though seasonal totals are not very high. Temperatures throughout the year tend to remain in a narrow bracket, with highs usually in the 60s and 70s and lows typically not dropping below the upper 40s or low 50s. Spring and fall are moderate, early spring sees the tail end of the rainy season, late spring and early summer see the May Gray and June Gloom marine layer take over in the mornings, and early fall can be rather toasty. Fall and winter often see Santa Ana wind conditions.

How do I get around town?

Residents who are traveling within the boundaries of the city can walk, but travel outside the city limits requires either a car or a lot of patience. There is public transit, Santa Monica itself is served by the Big Blue Bus system, and you can make connections to the Metro bus and Expo light rail system run by the city of Los Angeles. Los Angeles International is a few miles south of the city.

What is the Santa Monica commute like?

Traffic in Santa Monica is intense. The city is part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and thus has heavy traffic throughout the day, both from commuters and beachgoers. The majority -- a small one -- of car commutes tend to be under 35 minutes. Interstate 10 starts at the coast in Santa Monica where it branches off from the Pacific Coast Highway.

What are the local media outlets?

As part of the Greater Los Angeles region, Santa Monica gets all of the radio and TV channels, as well as the same cable options, as the rest of the region. Every major broadcaster and several independent stations are available. The Los Angeles Times is the main newspaper, several papers serve communities that speak languages other than English. The city also has a number of local papers.

Why live in Santa Monica, CA?

Santa Monica is one of the cities that could be truly called paradise. Access to excellent beaches, a walkable local layout, proximity to all sorts of geological and geographical landmarks, and a laid-back, modern atmosphere make it a truly unforgettable place.

What Santa Monica landmarks should I see?

You can't go to Santa Monica and not see a landmark anywhere you look. From the iconic Santa Monica Pier to the wide beaches and surf, the Third Street Promenade, the California Incline, and more, you will find landmarks wherever you go.

What is there to do around Santa Monica?

Go to the pier and play games or fish, go to the beach and bodysurf the waves, shop at the Promenade, or just walk around, it's all good in Santa Monica. Places like Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Knott's Berry Farm are within a couple of hours' drive.

Any annual festivals or Santa Monica events to know?

Santa Monica is home to both the annual Santa Monica Festival and the Santa Monica Fall Festival. Both feature art, crafts, food, games, and more.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

If you're in Santa Monica, you're in one of the most diverse spots on Earth. For vacations you can stay in the city or go to a nearby amusement park, visit Catalina Island or take a cruise around one of the other Channel Islands, go up into the mountains of Los Angeles, or go further afield to Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and more.

Where is the best place to move in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a small, affluent town, but it still has its good and bad spots. Check out the area north of Montana, Mid-City, and Ocean Park, but be aware that areas change in desirability quickly in the region.

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Getting Around Santa Monica, CA

Walk Score®

87 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

90 / 100

Biker's Paradise

Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike

Transit Score®

65 / 100

Good Transit

Many nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Monica

How much are Studio apartments in Santa Monica?

There are currently 765 Studio Apartments in Santa Monica with rent ranges from $1,350 to $8,071 with an average price of $2,743.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Santa Monica Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Santa Monica ranges from $1,175 to $12,760 with an average monthly rent of $3,365.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Santa Monica cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Santa Monica range from $2,300 to $15,648. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $4,333.

How expensive are Santa Monica Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 648 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Santa Monica on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $1,305 to $15,831 - averaging $5,150 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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