Moving to Santa Monica with a Family: Schools, Beaches, and Community

For families relocating to the Los Angeles area, Santa Monica consistently ranks among the top choices — and it's easy to understand why. Excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, genuine walkability, access to the beach, and a community culture that is warm, engaged, and family-centered make Santa Monica one of the best places to raise children anywhere in California.

This guide covers everything families need to know about making the move to Santa Monica.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)

SMMUSD serves approximately 11,000 students across Santa Monica and Malibu. The district is a genuine standout in California public education — well-funded, with engaged parents, experienced teachers, and facilities that rival many private schools.

Elementary Schools

Franklin Elementary School 2400 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403 Serving the North of Montana neighborhood and surrounding areas, Franklin is one of the most sought-after elementary schools in Santa Monica. Strong arts and science programs; involved parent community through the Franklin PTA.

John Muir Elementary School 2526 6th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 A dual-language (English/Spanish) program school that is popular with multicultural families. Located in Mid-City Santa Monica with a strong community culture.

Grant Elementary School 2368 Pearl Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 The neighborhood school for Sunset Park and Ocean Park. Known for its bilingual programs and community-oriented culture.

McKinley Elementary School 2401 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404 One of the largest elementaries in SMMUSD with robust after-school programs.

Roosevelt Elementary School 801 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403 At the corner of Montana and 8th Street, Roosevelt serves the central Montana Avenue area and is walkable from most of Mid-City Santa Monica.

Middle Schools

Lincoln Middle School 1501 California Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403 The primary feeder for North of Montana and Mid-City students. Strong athletics, theater, and STEM programs. Lincoln consistently posts high test scores and college-readiness metrics.

John Adams Middle School 2425 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Serving southern Santa Monica families, Adams has a dedicated performing arts program and robust sports program.

High School

Santa Monica High School ("Samohi") 601 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 One of the great public high schools of California. Samohi has approximately 3,200 students, a nationally competitive debate team, championship athletics, and one of the highest AP enrollment rates in the Los Angeles area. Alumni include the Jonas Brothers, Sean Penn, and a remarkable number of notable professionals across every field.

The school's campus runs from Pico Boulevard to Olympic Boulevard, featuring a pool, multiple athletic stadiums, a new performing arts center, and an active student life that reflects the diversity and energy of Santa Monica itself.

SMMUSD Enrollment

SMMUSD requires proof of Santa Monica residency for enrollment:

• Lease or deed showing Santa Monica address
• Two utility bills confirming address
• Student's birth certificate and immunization records

Contact SMMUSD's Student Services office at 1651 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Families moving mid-year are generally accommodated with minimal disruption.

Parks and Outdoor Activities for Families

Palisades Park

Ocean Avenue, from Colorado Ave to Adelaide Drive A 26-acre bluff-top park that runs along the ocean-facing edge of Santa Monica. Perfect for morning walks, weekend picnics, and enjoying some of the most stunning views in California. The park has palm tree-lined paths, benches, a rose garden, and California incline access to the beach.

Virginia Avenue Park

2200 Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica An excellent community park with a youth center offering after-school programs, athletic courts, a playground, and community garden.

Clover Park

2600 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica In Sunset Park, Clover Park has sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and the Euclid Park recreation area. A hub for youth leagues.

Santa Monica State Beach

The beach itself is Santa Monica's greatest asset. The Santa Monica Pier (at Colorado Ave and Ocean Ave) is a family entertainment destination — carousel, Pacific Park amusement area, trapeze school, fishing pier. Lifeguard-protected swimming beaches run along the entire city coastline.

Volleyball courts at the 18th Street beach area host family-level and competitive play. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail connects Santa Monica's beach to Venice and the South Bay — a 22-mile family cycling paradise.

Youth Programs and Community Activities

Santa Monica Recreation and Community Services runs year-round programs:

• Youth sports leagues (soccer, basketball, flag football, swimming) at multiple parks
• Summer camps through the parks and recreation department
• Classes at the Virginia Avenue Park Youth Center and Ken Edelman Teen Center
• Swim instruction at Santa Monica Swim Center (2225 16th Street)

Private enrichment:

• Trapeze School New York at the Pier (the famous flying trapeze school)
• Santa Monica Youth Orchestra at Barnum Hall
• The Broad Stage (300 Performance Place) hosts family-friendly performances
• Club sport programs (AYSO soccer, Little League) throughout the city

Family Dining and Daily Life

Santa Monica has exceptional family-friendly dining that doesn't require sacrificing quality:

• Milo & Olive (2723 Wilshire Blvd): Outstanding bakery/restaurant, perfect for family breakfast
• Blue Daisy Café (1915 Broadway): A family brunch institution
• Bay Cities Italian Deli (1517 Lincoln Blvd): The legendary Italian deli that every Santa Monica family visits weekly for their Godmother sandwich
• Zinqué (1315 3rd Street): French brasserie beloved for family Sunday brunch
• Whole Foods and Erewhon for daily groceries

The farmers' market on Arizona Avenue and 3rd Street (Saturday mornings) is genuinely a community gathering — expect to see your neighbors, your children's teachers, and at least one well-known face from the entertainment world picking out persimmons.

What Family Life in Santa Monica Actually Feels Like

There's a specific quality to family life in Santa Monica that is hard to replicate. It's the Saturday morning bike ride from Montana Avenue down San Vicente Boulevard to the ocean. It's Samohi football games on cool October evenings. It's your kids walking to school independently in elementary years, on sidewalks shaded by jacaranda trees. It's the easy weekend access to the pier, the farmers' market, and the beach without fighting traffic.

It's also a small city where teachers, coaches, and community leaders know families by name. Where the PTA is genuinely influential. Where your neighbors are colleagues, parents of your children's friends, and people you'll know for decades.

Planning Your Family's Santa Monica Move

LuxeMove specializes in family relocations to Santa Monica and the greater Westside. We understand SMMUSD enrollment timelines, the specifics of each neighborhood's school feeder pattern, and how to execute a move that is smooth, organized, and minimally disruptive for children of any age.

Contact LuxeMove today for your Santa Monica family relocation plan, or learn about our full services.