Economy

Tourism

Visitors, the visitor economy, and its effects on residents.

Why it matters here

Tourism funds a lot of the city and also strains it.

Where this matters

Pacific OceanSanta Monica PierSanta Monica BeachDowntown Santa MonicaThird Street PromenadeMain StreetMontana AvenueSanta Monica Airport AreaSanta Monica CollegePalisades ParkReed ParkMemorial ParkVirginia Avenue ParkAirport ParkCivic CenterOcean ParkPico NeighborhoodMid-CityNorth of MontanaWilshire / MontanaSunset ParkNortheast Santa MonicaDowntown ResidentialMajor CorridorsE Line Stations

Santa Monica Pier

The wooden pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue — amusement park, fishing deck, aquarium, and the city's most recognized image.

What we love:
The Pier · The Ocean & Beach · Sunsets
Key issues:
Public Safety · Tourism · Maintenance & Cleanliness
Explore

Santa Monica Beach

Miles of wide public sand running the length of the city, with the beach path, volleyball courts, and open water.

What we love:
The Ocean & Beach · Sunsets · Outdoor Lifestyle
Key issues:
Beach & Ocean · Environment · Public Safety
Explore

Downtown Santa Monica

The dense core between the freeway and the ocean — offices, apartments, hotels, shopping, and the E Line terminus.

What we love:
Walkability · Restaurants & Cafés · Local Businesses
Key issues:
Local Business & Economy · Housing · Public Safety
Explore

Third Street Promenade

Three car-free blocks of shopping, street performance, and public gathering between Wilshire and Broadway.

What we love:
Walkability · Public Spaces · Arts & Culture
Key issues:
Local Business & Economy · Public Safety · Public Space
Explore

What we value

  • Sharing the coast
  • Jobs
  • Local businesses that serve both

Improving something shouldn't mean losing what people already love about it.

Challenges

  • Crowding and congestion (community concern — not verified data)
  • Resident-visitor balance (community concern — not verified data)

Ideas & opportunities

  • Spreading visits beyond the pier
  • Locals-first programming

Related projects

No projects or initiatives have been linked to Tourism yet.