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 The
city of Santa Monica is essence of the Southern California beach
community. Sometimes referred to as "the republic of Santa
Monica", it is a politically active community with a fiercely
independent city council and some of the strictest rent control
laws in the country. Santa Monica has its own school system which
is know for the quality education it offers its students. It also
administers its own public transportation and governmental infrastucture.
All of this gives the city a real feeling of community.
Sana Monica is bordered on the north
by Pacific Palisades, on the east by West Los Angeles, on the
south by Venice, and of course on the west by Santa Monica Bay
and some of the most beautiful, snady beaches to be found anywhere.
From the top of bluffs of Palisades Park, one can enjoy panoramic
views of all of caostal Los Angeles.
Up until World War II, Santa Monica was
a small beach communtiy connected to the City of Los Angeles by
the Red Car, a trolley line which was used to bring beachgoers
to the seaside community for day trips. When Douglas Aircraft
built their Clover Field manufacturing plant on the site of what
is now the Santa Monica Airport, the city went through a building
boom to accommodate the influx of people who came to build airplanes
during the war. The town continued to develop through the '50s
and '60s into a city known for its innovative and active population.
Santa Monica is a city of neighborhoods.
Residents in every part of the city identify strongly with the
neighborhood they live in, adding to the strong sense of community
to be found throughout the city. North of Wilshire are the exclusive
neighborhoods while the southern part of the city is characterized
by a mixd of homes and apartments. Shopping areas include exclusive
Montana Avenue, the recently renovated Third Street Promenade,
which attracts people from all over Los Angeles, the Santa Monica
Place Mall, and Main Street. Additionally, Santa Monica boasts
three different Farmer's Markets and a newly remodeled pleasure
pier.
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