Driving and Transit in Santa Monica
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around Santa Monica really takes.
Jessica, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Jessica is a born and raised Angeleno who has spent 30 years bouncing between East LA, the Westside, and the Valley, usually with a trunk full of boxes and a strong opinion about neighborhoods. She moved eight times between 2013 and 2023 and genuinely loves it, especially the decluttering part and the chance to reinvent herself with each new move. A former teacher of eight years, she has taught everyone from pre K kids learning their ABCs to high schoolers stressing over college essays. She loves California for the beaches, sunshine, hidden lakes, and hikes that feel like they belong in another state entirely. Her guilty pleasure is the Custard Front Drive donut from Donut Friend, she road trips whenever possible, and she is slowly working through a bucket list of every national park. She lives with two bonded cats, Marty the black cat and Jelly the tabby. At Snappy Scout, Jessica edits California guides with deep local instincts built over decades of real CA living.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around Santa Monica?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is
Twenty minutes by E Line, a lifetime if I take Lincoln.
Traffic congestion areas to avoid
McClure Tunnel and Lincoln southbound from 4 to 7 p.m.
Ability to get around without a car
Yes, within Santa Monica with E Line, Big Blue Bus, and scooters. Past Sepulveda, bring snacks.
Locals dream of driving around in a
Porsche Taycan, charger snagged behind Montana Avenue Pilates.
The reality is that most locals drive
Sandy Prius’s with parking dings and Trader Joes flowers rolling around.
Quirky local driving habit
Backing into EV chargers like they are VIP booths.
The likelihood of finding parking
Beachfront is a unicorn, but residential permits help. For downtown nights, prepare to orbit.
#1 driving tip
Exit the 10 early and take Olympic west.
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
My friends and I have a habit of going to the beach in winter (or Santa Monica’s version of that season.) You don’t get to enjoy the sunshine until 8pm like in summer, but there are no crowds, especially after sunset. We take blankets, tea in a thermos, and catch up with soft waves in the background.
— Jessica Montes
California Local Expert
Ready to See If Santa Monica Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full Santa Monica guide for the bigger picture.