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Community and Culture
Life in Santa Monica has always centered around Southern California’s Three S’s – sun, surf and sand. A wide beach runs the western length of Santa Monica – about 4 miles of coastline -- punctuated by the world-famous amusement-park pier and a bike path that runs from Malibu to Long Beach. Santa Monica’s passion for all things outdoor is reflected in many environmental events and charities, including an annual Earth Day rally, and the Save The Bay program, which has made the Santa Monica bay one of the cleanest salt water bays on the California Coast.

Santa Monica is governed by its own City Council, and protected by its own police and fire departments. The Big Blue Bus serves as public transport both within the city limits, and to points beyond. Additionally, Santa Monica Airport serves both amateur pilots and local businesses -- small planes from Cessnas to Lear Jets take off and land throughout the day. Santa Monica is also one of the best school districts in Southern California. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District includes 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 high schools. Over 50% of the district’s 4th and 5th graders participate in the school’s music program, and over 90% of the district’s high school graduates continue on to college or university. Santa Monica College, on Pico Boulevard, leads the state in transfers to 4-year schools, and offers hundreds of seminars, adult education classes and lectures throughout the year. Several private schools, including the prestigious Crossroads School and Le Lycee de Francias have their campuses within the city.