History
Santa Monica is a city located on the western portion of Los Angeles County. It has the best of the California coast. The city of Santa Monica is sixteen miles from downtown Los Angeles, where Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate Highway 10 meet. Santa Monica is bordered by Los Angeles City on three sides and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Santa Monica is a mixture of a welcoming residential community and an active commercial district.

Santa Monica has a rich historical background. It started in 1769 when Gaspar de Portola sent explorers to travel around the coast north of San Diego. It was believed that the origin of the city name, Santa Monica came from a priest accompanying the expedition. The priest said that the waters of the springs reminded him of the tears shed by St. Monica over her wayward son, St. Augustine, before his conversion. By 1827, Don Francisco Sepulveda and Agustin Machado petitioned forth San Vicente y Santa Monica land grant. By 1828 on the other hand, Francisco Marquez and Ysidro Reyes acquired a grant to Boca de Santa Monica, which included Santa Monica Canyon. In 1872, the property from the descendants of Sepulveda was sold to Col. Robert Baker. Santa Monica was incorporated on November 30, 1886 with a mayor-council form of government. By 1891, the Long Wharf was built for trains to reach the ships waiting in the harbor. And in 1899, Santa Monica had three school houses, two public parks, three wharves, and streets and avenues. Santa Monica had expanded its borders which led to the development of industries such as the Sunset Tile and Brick Company. The city also improved the streets, added sewers as well as a fire department. Schools and a library were also developed.

Santa Monica became a tourist spot as it developed as a beach town. The city also needed schools, which by 1876, the first school in Santa Monica was opened. By 1921, an aircraft factory, known as the Douglas Aircraft Factory, was built in Santa Monica by Donald Douglas. By 1966, the completion of the Santa Monica Freeway brought the promise of new wealth.

By 1970, notable fitness and health related industries were developed in the city. By 1980s, the economy of Santa Monica started to regain progress. By 1989, Santa Monica Promenade was completed and became a major regional shopping and entertainment center. It was in the same year that the Public Electronic Network was opened which offered citizens with a bulletin board system for the discussion of local issues and for the access of city services.

Santa Monica has a population of 84,084 with 44,497 households, and 16,775 families according to the year 2000 data of the United States Census Bureau. The racial composition of Santa Clara is 78.29% White, 7.25% Asian, 3.78% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 5.97% from other races, and 4.13% from two or more races. Moreover, 13.44% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. The city of Santa Monica has a total area of 41.2 square kilometers, with a land area of 21.4 square kilometers and a water area of 19.8 square kilometers. The city is specifically located at 34°1'19" North, 118°28'53" West (34.022059, -118.481336).

The city of Santa Monica enjoys a mild weather year round, averaging approximately sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. The coastal Mediterranean climate of Santa Monica gives an ideal ambiance for taking advantage of the renowned California lifestyle.

Santa Monica provides convenient access to airports, bus lines and major freeways. The Santa Monica (Int. 10) and San Diego (405) are the two freeways that serve Santa Monica. The city has four major east-west thoroughfares which include Santa Monica (Route 66), Wilshire, Olympic and Pico Boulevards. It is located approximately six miles from Los Angeles International Airport. Santa Monica also has its own high-tech aviation operations at Santa Monica Airport, offering a wide variety of business charters and general aviation services.

Santa Monica is a great place for vacation and business. The Santa Monica’s world-famous beach, relaxing parks and bike trail provides a wide variety of fun outdoor recreational activities. The city has Santa Monica State Beach, Chess Park, Clover Park, Joslyn Park, Marine Park, Memorial Park, Palisades Park, Virginia Avenue Park, Reed Park and the world famous Muscle Beach. The historic Santa Monica Pier is also one of Santa Monica’s finest attractions. The Pier features the Santa Monica Pier Carousel, which is a historical landmark with vintage merry-go-round; Playland Arcade, which entertains with exciting video games; Santa Monica Pier Aquarium that offers a unique view of ocean world; Pacific Park as the unique amusement park; and the Ocean Front Walk that allows closer access to the ocean. In addition to this, Santa Monica is home to Farmers’ Market which is considered the best in Southern California.

Schools
Santa Monica is a city that offers excellent public and private schools. Santa Monica is served by Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, which provides public education for elementary and secondary levels. The schools of the aforementioned school district include Edison Language Academy Charter School, Franklin Elementary School, Grant Elementary School, John Adams Middle School, John Muir Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, McKinley Elementary School, Olympic High School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Monica Alternative School House, Santa Monica High School, Will Rogers Learning Community, Child Development Services and Adult Education Center. The city of Santa Monica also has outstanding private schools which consist of Crossroads School, New Roads School, Santa Monica Montessori School and W.M. Keck Math/Science Institute at Crossroads. Furthermore, the area of Santa Monica provides exceptional college level schools which are comprised of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and Santa Monica College.

The following are the addresses of Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College:
Santa Monica High School
601 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90405

Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90405

The city of Santa Monica has much to offer. It is indeed a place beyond compare. Santa Monica has the best of the California coast, which provides a healthy lifestyle, warm community, quality education, successful economy and unique homes. Santa Monica is an enlivening ambiance for living, learning, vacationing and a dynamic place for business. Santa Monica has it all.

DR. JOHN CHAVES
5312 Comercio Lane, Suite A
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Phone 818-999-2707
Fax 818-703-1998
appointment@cosmeticdentalservices.com