Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica, California is a coastal city in the County of Los Angeles. Located approximately 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, the City of Santa Monica features three miles of Pacific Ocean beaches and scenic views of the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. The City of Santa Monica has a population of approximately 91,000 residents and a land area of over eight square miles. Santa Monica is an environmentally conscious city committed to the electrification (the process of replacing appliances and systems that run off fossil fuels with efficient electric alternatives) of both new and existing buildings as a means of reducing indoor and outdoor pollution. Santa Monica enjoys a temperate climate with cooler summer temperatures than areas further inland. The arrival of a railroad line in the 1870s connecting Santa Monica to Los Angeles helped spur the growth of the beach community.

Santa Monica has a vibrant economy with approximately 80,000 workers and 9,000 businesses.

The Creative Industries and Technology Sector provides approximately 37 percent of the City’s total employment and 63 percent of the total payroll in the City. Santa Monica is within “Silicon Beach,” a zone that has attracted a multitude of technology firms in recent years. For example, Lionsgate Entertainment is headquartered in Santa Monica. Lionsgate possesses a 17,000-title film and television library. Universal Music Group has its operational headquarters in Santa Monica. With approximately 1,400 employees, Universal Music Group is one of the largest employers in Santa Monica. Known as the largest music company in the world, Universal engages in businesses related to recorded music, music publishing, audiovisual content, and merchandising.

The Healthcare Sector is the source for approximately 12 percent of the City’s total employment and 5 percent of the total payroll in the City. Santa Monica is home to several medical facilities. UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center is a 281-bed, full-service facility with an emergency department, maternity center, inpatient pediatrics unit, and spine center. UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center employs more than 1,900 professionals. Providence Saint John's Health Center is a 266-bed hospital. Providence Saint John's Health Center is also home to Saint John’s Cancer Institute, which focuses on clinical research and medical advancements in cancer care. Providence Saint John's Health Center employs over 1,300 professionals.

The Hospitality and Tourism Sector is responsible for approximately 12 percent of the City’s total employment and 3 percent of the total payroll in the City. Tourism is estimated to generate over $450 million in revenue annually for the local economy. Approximately 15 Santa Monica restaurants are listed in the Michelin Guide. Santa Monica is home to numerous hotels and the City attracts an estimated 8 million visitors each year.

The Retail Sector is responsible for approximately 9 percent of the City’s total employment and 3 percent of the total payroll in the City.

A significant portion of the Retail Sector is centered in Downtown Santa Monica. Downtown Santa Monica is home to numerous new business projects amounting to several billion dollars in planned development. New mixed-use developments and the reinvigoration of historical properties will dominate. Downtown Santa Monica is also home to the Third Street Promenade. Third Street Promenade is a four city block open-air, motor vehicle-free shopping area anchored along its southern terminus by Santa Monica Place, home to approximately 80 retailers. Downtown Santa Monica continues to be a draw because of its walkability and proximity to the ocean.

Santa Monica College, a California community college, is a major driver of Santa Monica’s economy. Santa Monica College serves over 30,000 students and is estimated to add approximately $1.8 billion in income to Los Angeles County’s economy. Santa Monica College employs approximately 1,900 full-time and part-time faculty and staff.

Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District is headquartered in Santa Monica. The District serves over 9,000 students and employs approximately 1,400 staff members. The District’s annual budget exceeds $170 million.

Santa Monica Pier is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in the world and attracts approximately 4 million visitors annually. Santa Monica Pier features Pacific Park amusement park, replete with a solar-powered Ferris Wheel, a rollercoaster, and food and retail shops.

Santa Monica Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport covering approximately 227 acres. Santa Monica Municipal Airport is estimated to support about 1,500 jobs and add about $240 million in business to the local economy. Known originally as Clover Field, Douglas Aircraft Company once operated out of the airport.

The City of Santa Monica, incorporated in 1886, is one of the oldest incorporated cities in Los Angeles County. Santa Monica is a full-service city with its own police and fire departments, library system, and public transportation network. The Santa Monica City Council, the governing body of the City of Santa Monica, appoints the City Clerk, City Attorney, and City Manager. The City Council consists of seven members elected by Santa Monica residents at-large for staggered four-year terms. The Economic Development Division oversees the administration of the four weekly Santa Monica Farmers' Markets, Santa Monica Beach, and Municipal Pier.

The Rent Control Board and Rent Control Agency administer the City’s rent control law and regulations. The City’s transit service is Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, which has a fleet of approximately 195 buses. Big Blue Bus is committed to obtaining a 100 percent electric fleet in the coming decade. The Santa Monica Public Library operates five libraries.

Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State Beach features a swimming pool open on a seasonal basis and a splash pad. Onsite is the Marion Davies Guest House, where Santa Monica Conservancy docents offer 20-minute tours of the 1920s former residence developed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The 100-plus room mansion on the site was demolished in 1956. The Annenberg Foundation later provided a $27.5 million grant that enabled the site's rehabilitation for public use.

Santa Monica History Museum has an extensive collection of historical photographs, as well as permanent exhibitions and a rotating exhibition.

The 26 acre Palisades Park extends approximately 1.5 miles along Ocean Avenue atop a bluff overlooking Santa Monica Bay. Palisades Park features a walkway, benches, artworks, and views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Bergamot Station Arts Center features a collection of art galleries and restaurants, which is easily accessed from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority E light rail Line (Expo).

The attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC represent workers throughout California for a variety of employment-related claims. If your employer or former employer has violated your rights, call the caring employment attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form. We advance all costs. No recovery, no fee.