If you tell someone you live in Santa Monica, they usually picture the Ferris wheel. They think of the Pier, the tourists buying overpriced sunglasses on the Promenade, and the slow-motion gridlock of PCH. But for those of us who actually spend time in Santa Monica CA 90405, the vibe is totally different. It’s the "locals' side."
It’s Sunset Park. It’s Ocean Park. It’s the smell of salt air mixed with expensive espresso and the sound of skateboards hitting the pavement near Marine Park. This zip code is basically a slice of the city that manages to feel like a neighborhood instead of a postcard. While the 90401 and 90403 areas handle the high-rises and the heavy foot traffic, 90405 is where you go to actually breathe.
What’s the Big Deal With Santa Monica CA 90405 Anyway?
It’s mostly about the geography.
The 90405 zip code stretches from the beach up through the hilly residential streets of Sunset Park. You’ve got the southern edge of the city, bordering Venice, which gives it this gritty-but-glamorous energy. Honestly, the border between Santa Monica and Venice at Rose Avenue is one of the most interesting streets in Los Angeles. On one side, you have the tech money and the polished boutiques of Santa Monica; on the other, you still have the lingering, eccentric spirit of old-school Venice.
People pay a massive premium to live here. It isn’t just because of the schools, though Grant Elementary and John Adams Middle School are high-draw. It’s the walkability. You can genuinely spend an entire Saturday in 90405 without ever touching your car, which, if you know anything about LA, is the ultimate luxury.
The Main Street Vibe vs. The Promenade
Main Street is the literal backbone of Santa Monica CA 90405.
If the Third Street Promenade is for the tourists, Main Street is for the people who pay property taxes here. It’s got that low-slung, historic feel. You’ve got the Victorian house that now holds the California Heritage Museum. You’ve got the Sunday Farmers Market—which is way better than the Wednesday one downtown, don't @ me—where kids run around on the grass and there’s usually a live bluegrass band.
There’s something specific about the air here. It’s cooler. Because 90405 sits right on the bay, you get that marine layer that sticks around until noon. It keeps the gardens lush. You’ll see bougainvillea overflowing onto the sidewalks and massive birds-of-paradise that look like they’re on steroids. It's beautiful, but it's also a pain if you're trying to keep your car clean from the salt spray and the morning mist.
The Sunset Park Neighborhood Dynamics
Let’s talk about Sunset Park. This is the residential heart of the 90405 zip code.
Originally, these were tiny bungalows built for workers at the Douglas Aircraft Company during and after World War II. They were "starter homes." Now? Good luck finding one for under two million dollars. Most of those original 1,000-square-foot boxes have been scraped and replaced with modern farmhouse-style mansions or sleek, glass-heavy contemporary builds.
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It’s a neighborhood in transition, always. But it still feels grounded. You have the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) sitting right at the edge. The airport is a massive point of contention. Some residents hate the noise and the lead emissions from the piston-engine planes. Others love the open space and the fact that it prevents high-rise development in that specific corridor. The city is planning to close it in 2028 and turn it into a massive park, which will basically make property values in 90405 skyrocket even more than they already have.
Why Santa Monica CA 90405 Residents Obsess Over the Airport
The battle over SMO has been going on for decades.
If you live in the eastern part of 90405, you've likely signed a petition about it. The park that's supposed to replace the runways is being touted as the "Central Park of the Westside." Imagine 227 acres of green space in a city that is notoriously starved for parks. It’s a huge deal. But for now, the airport hosts a great monthly antiques market and houses some of the best artist studios in the city.
The Barker Hangar is there too. It’s this massive, cavernous space that hosts everything from art fairs like Frieze Los Angeles to celebrity-heavy awards shows. It’s weird to have a private jet take off right next to where you’re buying organic kale, but that’s just the 90405 lifestyle.
The Food Scene Is Actually Better Here
Seriously.
Everyone talks about the celebrity-chef spots in Beverly Hills or the trendy pop-ups in Silver Lake. But Santa Monica CA 90405 has these legendary institutions that don’t need to try so hard.
Take Bay Cities Italian Deli. It’s on Lincoln Boulevard, which is technically the eastern boundary of the "good" part of the zip code. If you haven't had a Godmother sandwich with "the works," have you even lived in LA? The bread is so crunchy it'll cut the roof of your mouth, and nobody cares because it's that good. Then there's Gjusta—okay, technically that's just over the line in Venice, but everyone in 90405 claims it.
On Main Street, you have spots like Pasjoli, which is incredibly high-end French dining, sitting just a block away from Sunny Blue, where you can get hand-made omusubi (rice balls) for a few bucks. It’s that mix of "I just came from the beach" and "I have a reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant" that defines the area.
Real Talk: Lincoln Boulevard
Lincoln Boulevard (the Highway 1) used to be pretty bleak. It was all tire shops, sketchy motels, and fast food.
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Things have changed.
Now, the section of Lincoln in 90405 is becoming a design district. You’ve got high-end furniture stores, specialty wine shops, and Whole Foods (obviously). It’s still a traffic nightmare—avoid it between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at all costs—but it's no longer just a "commute pipe." It's actually a destination.
Living the 90405 Life: The Cost of Admission
It’s expensive. No way around it.
According to real estate data from 2024 and 2025, the median home price in Santa Monica CA 90405 consistently hovers around the $2.5 million mark, and that’s often for a "fixer-upper." If you want a renovated five-bedroom home in Sunset Park, you're looking at $4 million plus.
Rent isn't much better. A one-bedroom apartment near Main Street will easily run you $3,500 a month. You’re paying for the zip code. You’re paying for the ability to walk to the beach in ten minutes. You’re paying for the Santa Monica Blue Bus system, which is actually one of the most reliable transit systems in the country.
People here are active. It’s almost annoying.
On any given Tuesday at 10:00 AM, you’ll see people jogging with strollers that cost more than a used Honda. The yoga studios are packed. The surfers are out at the break near Bay Street before the sun is even fully up. It’s a culture of wellness that is deeply ingrained in the 90405 DNA. If you don't own at least one pair of $120 leggings, do you even belong here? (Kidding, mostly).
Surprising Details Most People Miss
There’s a lot of history buried in these streets.
Specifically, the "Inkwell."
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Back in the early-to-mid 20th century, during the era of segregation, the beach at the end of Bay Street was one of the few places where African Americans could safely enjoy the ocean. It was a hub of Black culture and joy in a time of systemic exclusion. Today, there’s a landmark monument there honoring Nick Gabaldón, the first documented surfer of African and-Mexican descent. It’s a crucial piece of the Santa Monica CA 90405 story that a lot of people just walk past on their way to the water.
And then there's the "Hole in the Wall" culture. Because the lots are often small and the zoning is tight, you find these tiny businesses tucked into weird places. There are architectural firms hidden in converted garages and world-class coffee shops that are basically just a window in an alley.
Is It Right for You?
If you hate crowds, stay away from the beach lots on holiday weekends.
If you hate noise, don't live right under the flight path of the airport.
But if you want a place that feels like a real community—where the librarians know your name and the guy at the coffee shop remembers your order—90405 is pretty much the gold standard. It’s a mix of surfers, tech CEOs, young families, and retirees who bought their houses in 1975 for $40,000 and are now sitting on a gold mine.
It’s a weird, beautiful, expensive, salty little corner of the world.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Santa Monica CA 90405
If you're planning to visit or thinking about moving to the area, don't just stick to the beach. Here is how to actually experience the 90405 like a local:
- Ditch the car: Park in one of the structures near the beach and use the "Circuit" (the electric shuttle) or just walk Main Street from Pico Blvd down to Marine St.
- The Sunday Ritual: Hit the Main Street Farmers Market at 2640 Main St. Get there by 9:00 AM to beat the rush. Grab a breakfast burrito and sit on the lawn.
- The Best Views: Head to Clover Park on the edge of Sunset Park. It’s one of the best spots to watch planes (for now) and offers a great view of the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance.
- The Sunset Secret: Don't go to the Pier for sunset; it’s too crowded. Go to the end of any residential street south of Ocean Park Blvd. You get the same view with 90% fewer people.
- Check the Tide: If you’re going to the beach at the southern end of the zip code, check the tide charts. At high tide, the beach area can get pretty narrow, especially near the rock jetties.
- Monitor the Airport Status: If you are looking at real estate, keep a close eye on the Santa Monica City Council meetings regarding the 2028 closure of SMO. The plans for the "Great Park" will drastically change the traffic and value of the Sunset Park area.
The 90405 isn't just a zip code; it's a specific lifestyle choice that prioritizes the outdoors, community, and a slightly slower pace than the rest of Los Angeles. Whether you're grabbing a slice at Joe's Pizza or hiking through the residential hills, you'll realize pretty quickly why people who move here rarely want to leave.