Santa Monica, California

Introduction to Santa Monica, California

Incorporated in 1886, the California coastal city of Santa Monica has been renowned as a famed resort town since the early 20th century. Enclosed in an 8.3 square-mile area, the city is pedestrian-friendly, rich with beaches and bike trails, and replete with world-class restaurants and shops. Its location (only eight miles north of Los Angeles International Airport and a short drive from downtown Los Angeles) also makes it accessible by car to virtually every major visitor destination in Southern California.

Several major roads combine to define Santa Monica's transportation matrix. The Santa Monica Freeway (Interstate 10) originates in Santa Monica and proceeds eastward all the way across the USA, traversing seven states before terminating in Jacksonville, Florida. California State Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) passes through Santa Monica on its way from California's southern to northern boundaries. California State Route 2 (Santa Monica Boulevard) begins in Santa Monica and continues northeast across Los Angeles County. Historic U.S. Route 66, an east-west highway originating in Chicago and spanning the western portion of the United States, terminates at the Santa Monica Pier.

Universities and colleges located within a 15-mile radius of Santa Monica include UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Valley College, West Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Southwest College, and West Valley Occupational Center.

Some interesting Santa Monica facts:

  • In 1921, Donald W. Douglas founded the Douglas Aircraft Company locating his first plant on Wilshire Boulevard.
  • A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica Canyon and the Santa Monica Pier known as the "Gold Coast" became fashionable in the 1930s for celebrity beach homes. Some of the film stars who resided here included Norma Talmadge, Greta Garbo, Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, and in later years, Peter Lawford.
  • The 3,000-seat Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was the host site of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annual Oscar awards ceremony during the years 1961 through 1968.
  • The rock and roll club The Cheetah, which closed its doors in 1968, had been home to early performances by such acts as The Doors, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, The Mothers of Invention, and others.
  • The popular sitcom Three's Company (late 1970s/early 1980s) was set in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Arts and Entertainment:

Santa Monica is defined by eight easily approachable districts, each featuring its own mix of shopping, dining and entertainment options. The Santa Monica Pier is a bustling locale which evokes the atmosphere of an historic beach front carnival and houses a number of entertainment venues, including: The Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome (carousel), a National Historic Landmark; Pacific Park, LA's only admission-free amusement park with rides, games, food, and retail shops; the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium; the La Monica Ballroom; and the Playland Arcade. Every fall the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce hosts The Taste of Santa Monica on the Pier, where visitors can sample food and drink from Santa Monica restaurants.

Art and culture are predominant in the city of Santa Monica, home to over 120 museums and art galleries. Bergamot Station is a city-owned art gallery compound that includes the Santa Monica Museum of Art and additionally houses the single largest concentration of galleries in Santa Monica. The Broadway Gallery Complex displays contemporary art originating both locally and internationally. The 18th Street Arts Complex exhibits the collective art of several organizations. Some of the city's museums include the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum, Angels Attic Museum, the California Heritage Museum, and the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

Santa Monica is also home to an array of Farmer's Markets, held regularly on various weekdays at various locations. The markets offer exhibitions by local chefs, samples of breads, cheeses, and other foodstuffs, fresh cut flowers, live music, and more. Pony rides and face painting are offered at the Sunday markets held on Main Street.

Other Los Angeles area and nearby Southern California attractions are located only a short drive away from Santa Monica. To name a few:

  • Beverly Hills: Includes the Rodeo Drive Shopping District
  • Hollywood: Includes historic Hollywood Blvd and the Hollywood Bowl
  • Malibu: A famous 27-mile stretch of beach, which many movie stars call home
  • Marina del Rey
  • Disneyland
  • Universal Studios
  • Sony Pictures Studio Tours: Locale where Spiderman and The Wizard of Oz were filmed
  • Knott's Berry Farm
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain

Serious fans of the sport of rugby will recognize Santa Monica as home to the Santa Monica Rugby Club. Founded in 1972, the club has had great success since its conception, most recently winning back-to-back SCRFU (Southern California Rugby Football Union) championships in 2005 and 2006. The Club has accepted an offer to join the Rugby Super League, which is the top level of club rugby in the United States, for its 2007 season.

Fans of other Major League professional sports can find plenty of action in the nearby Los Angeles area, home to several teams including the L.A. Dodgers (MLB), the L.A. Kings (NHL), the L.A. Clippers (NBA), the L.A. Lakers (NBA), the L.A. Galaxy (soccer), the L.A. Avengers (Arena football), and the L.A. Riptide (lacrosse).

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPop.Median Family
Income (2000)
Santa Monica84,084$75,989
Beverly Hills33,784$102,611
Culver City38,816$61,451
El Segundo16,033$74,007
Inglewood112,580$36,541
Manhattan Beach33,852$122,686
West Hollywood35,716$41,463

High Points

Santa Monica strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

CategoryTrophy
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. Peers)
Top 1%Santa Monica Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)
Top 2%Santa Monica Well-Paid Single Men
College Educated Adults
(vs. Peers)
Top 6%Santa Monica College Educated Adults
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 9%Santa Monica Walking and Biking to Work
Median Family Income
(vs. Peers)
Top 15%Santa Monica Median Family Income


The listings in Santa Monica, California and surrounding areas provide the following services:

(17) Outpatient
(2) Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders
(8) Clients With Legal Issues
(3) Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment
(7) Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders
(8) Males
(11) Teens and Adolescents
(7) Females
(5) Drug/Alcohol Detoxification
(1) Methadone Maintenance
(1) Methadone Detoxification
(5) Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum
(10) Spanish Speaking
(3) Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
(2) Short term Residential Care 30 Days or Less
(2) Halfway House
(1) Hospital Inpatient
(1) American Sign Language
(3) Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
(6) Seniors/Older Adults
(7) Persons with HIV/AIDS
(4) Gay and Lesbian



Your Name
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Type of Treatment your looking for
Person's Age Group
Adult – 24 and over
Young Adult – 18 to 24
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Please type the following number in the box below

Do you or someone you care about live in Santa Monica, California and have an addiction to drugs or alcohol? Have you failed at trying to help someone with drug or alcohol addiction in Santa Monica and have lost all hope? Drug and alcohol addiction are an epidemic in our society today. Someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol is just existing, not living. This can be a very sad and depressing existence to say the least. But all is not lost, and there are ways to treat addiction that actually work. The way out can be found at a Drug Rehabilitation or Alcohol Rehab Center in Santa Monica that will suit your treatment needs.

The reason an Alcohol Treatment or Drug Rehab Facility in Santa Monica works for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism is because the individual will learn to overcome problems in life by confronting them, not by numbing them with drugs and alcohol. Once the individual starts confronting and handling life situations, they realize that they can actually cope with their problems and don't feel the need to compound them with drugs or alcohol.

Each individual is different, and there are a variety of treatment programs available in Santa Monica to cater to individual needs. For example, there are Outpatient Treatment Centers, Short-term Treatment Facilities, Long-term Addiction Treatment Programs, Inpatient Addiction Treatment Facilities, support group meetings, drug counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

The two main aspects of addiction, physical and psychological, are what the individual will be addressing during the course of treatment at a Drug Rehabilitation or Alcohol Rehab Facility in Santa Monica. Individuals will first begin by addressing the aspect of physical addiction by taking part in a detoxification program in Santa Monica, California, which will help with the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that ensue when a person stops using drugs or alcohol. The brain adapts to the use of a psychoactive substance over time, which lessens the effect of the drug. This is how physical tolerance to drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol develops. This is why someone using drugs has to take more and more of the substance to get the same effect. Abruptly stopping substance use is what causes the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms could last for days, weeks or even months depending on the individual's history of abuse. Hardcore drugs such as heroin have a particularly long and painful withdrawal period.

Right off the bat, a Drug Rehabilitation or Alcohol Treatment Center in Santa Monica will get the individual started on a professional detoxification accompanied by psychological counseling. At the root of the individual's addiction to drugs or alcohol are these psychological issues. Once addressed, the individual's chances of relapse are decreased markedly.

Due to the structured environment and comprehensive program that a Drug Treatment or Alcohol Rehab Program in Santa Monica, CA. offers, it truly is the most successful method for treating drug and alcohol addiction. There is no stone left unturned, every area where the individual is having problems in life will be addressed.

As part of treatment in Santa Monica, CA., the individual will be trained on how to react appropriately to situations in life and how to change his behavior patterns. Staff of an Alcohol Treatment or Drug Rehabilitation Center in Santa Monica will work with the individual on how to respond to his environment, friends, family etc. when he returns home upon completion of treatment. It is expected that the individual will be able to appropriately handle the things which may have initially triggered his drug use. If not, these influences may produce psychological stressors which can cause the person to relapse. That is why professional treatment to address these psychological stressors is such an important aspect of the individual's recovery.

After having discontinued use of drugs or alcohol, research has shown that an addict's brain changes the ways it functions and responds to situations. This is yet another reason it is vital to seek professional help at a Drug Rehabilitation or Alcohol Treatment Program in Santa Monica, CA., instead of trying to stop on one's own. There is so much for an addict to overcome to achieve sobriety. It is no easy task, even with help. Seeking help at an Alcohol Rehab or Drug Treatment Facility in Santa Monica, CA. is an addict's best bet for a successful recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. If you or someone you know is ready for a new life free of drugs and alcohol, find out what treatment options are available at an Alcohol Rehab or Drug Treatment Program in Santa Monica. No time is better than the present to end the cycle of addiction and all of the destruction that it creates. Help is waiting for you or someone you love today.

Getting Help

Call toll free 855 Stop-Drugs (855-786-7378) and speak to a professional Registered Addiction Specialist or simply fill out the Santa Monica, California Alcohol Treatment or Drug Rehabilitation Program request form and counselor will contact you shortly.

There are 3 local Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Rehab Programs in Santa Monica, California. We have also provided 17 additional Alcohol Rehabilitation and Drug Treatment Centers that are closest geographically to Santa Monica:

Alcohol Drug Council Santa Monica, CA
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program
Services Offered: Clients With Legal Issues, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Outpatient
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
Clare Foundation Inc Santa Monica, CA
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Facility
Services Offered: Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Driving Under The Influence/Driving While Intoxicated Offenders, Males, Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
Santa Monica Bay Area Santa Monica, CA
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Males, Outpatient, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
American Health Services LLC Venice, CA 2.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Services Offered: Methadone Detoxification, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Clearview Centers LLC Venice, CA 2.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehab and Drug Rehabilitation Facility
Services Offered: Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment, Short term Residential Care 30 Days or Less
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Private health insurance
Phoenix House Venice Venice, CA 2.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Rehab
Services Offered: Clients With Legal Issues, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Halfway House, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Males, Outpatient, Short term Residential Care 30 Days or Less
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Private health insurance, Access to Recovery
Miracles Detox Recovery Program Culver City, CA 5.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehabilitation and Drug Rehab Facility
Services Offered: American Sign Language, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Hospital Inpatient, Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Outpatient, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare, Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE)
Twin Town West Hollywood West Hollywood, CA 7.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Private health insurance, Access to Recovery
Dicta Health Services Inc Inglewood, CA 9.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Seniors/Older Adults
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare
Divine Healthcare Services Inc Inglewood, CA 9.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Rehab Program
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Gay and Lesbian, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Males, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Seniors/Older Adults, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Access to Recovery
Los Angeles Drug Treatment Center Inglewood, CA 9.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Males, Outpatient, Seniors/Older Adults, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Private health insurance
LUNNS Home Corporation Inglewood, CA 9.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Outpatient, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, Private health insurance
West Coast Outpatient Services Inc Inglewood, CA 9.4 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Program
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Gay and Lesbian, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Males, Outpatient, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Seniors/Older Adults, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid), Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., VA,TRICARE), Access to Recovery
Hollywood Recovery Treatment Center Studio City, CA 9.6 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Services Offered: Persons with HIV/AIDS, Outpatient, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicare
Action Rehab Center Inc Los Angeles, CA 10.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Rehab Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Gay and Lesbian, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Males, Outpatient, Seniors/Older Adults, Spanish Speaking, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid)
A Home for Us Foundation Los Angeles, CA 10.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Facility
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment, Women That Are Pregnant or Postpartum, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment, Medicaid, Medicare, Access to Recovery
Alcoholism Center for Women Inc Los Angeles, CA 10.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Program
Services Offered: Clients With Legal Issues, Halfway House, Residential Care Long-term 30 to 90 Days Treatment, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
American Drug Recovery Program Inc Los Angeles, CA 10.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Clients With Legal Issues, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Outpatient, Spanish Speaking
Payment Forms Accepted: Self payment
Apex Foundation Los Angeles, CA 10.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Program
Services Offered: Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment
Payment Forms Accepted: Medicare, State financed insurance (other than Medicaid)
Arms of Grace Humanitarian Srvs ADP Los Angeles, CA 10.8 miles from Santa Monica
Primary Service: Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Faciltity
Services Offered: Teens and Adolescents, Services for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, Drug/Alcohol Detoxification, Gay and Lesbian, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Males, Outpatient, Seniors/Older Adults, Females
Payment Forms Accepted: Medicaid

Did You Know? ...
Interesting Facts and Statistics:

Among teens, 9.1 percent of Hispanics had MDE in the past year, similar to the rate for non-Hispanic teens (8.7 percent). Among 12 to 17 year olds, teens who reported two or more races had the highest prevalence of lifetime MDE (19.0 percent) in 2005.

According to the most recent government that were conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), students who use drugs are statistically more likely than nonusers to drop out of school, bring guns and knives to school, and to be involved in physical attacks, property destruction, and stealing .

Intravenous heroin users typically experience the rush within 7 to 8 seconds after injection,

The same exact amount of Methadone could be ineffective in one person, but cause a deadly overdose in another.

Many incidents of deaths have been linked to LSD use; suicides and fatal accidents have been reported to occur in many users of the drug during ?bad trips?.

Dilaudid is an analgesic narcotic with an addiction liability similar to that of morphine. It can be apparent in less than 15 minutes and remains in effect for more than 6 hours.


Strong support groups and sober friends are very helpful for recovering Alcoholics after rehab. Alcoholics Anonymous provides meetings that recovering alcoholics can attend to help stay focused on their sobriety. You can find AA meetings at the following locations in Santa Monica:

Bravo's Men's Stag (bravo Company)
Santa Monica, Where Else'
1319 3rd St
Santa Monica, California 90401

AA Meeting Days and Times
Sunday, 12:00 PM

Brovo's Mens Stag
Santa Monica, Where Else'
1319 3rd St
Santa Monica, California 90401

AA Meeting Days and Times
Sunday, 12:00 PM

We Agnostics
Church Hall
1515 Maple
Santa Monica, California 90405

AA Meeting Days and Times
Tuesday, 7:00 PM

Westside We Agnostics
Zen Center
1001a Colorado
Santa Monica, California 90401

AA Meeting Days and Times
Friday, 7:30 PM
The following survey was completed by residents of Santa Monica, California as part of the USNODRUGS monitoring program. The survey below is a representation of perceptual drug and alcohol usage rates in Santa Monica, California. We cannot guarantee complete accuracy, but our monitoring team uses the highest standards for survey compilation.
You do not have to answer all of the survey questions, you should only answer questions that are relevant to your thoughts and experiences.
Survey results as of May 1, 2012
Perception of marijuana in Santa Monica, California.
Do you believe that using marijuana can be harmful?
Maybe
No
Yes
82%
0%
18%
Marijuana use in Santa Monica, California.
Have you used marijuana in your lifetime?
No
Yes
95%
5%
Have you used marijuana in the past month?
No
Yes
85%
15%
Do you use marijuana regularly?
Maybe
No
Yes
0%
95%
5%
Perception of Alcohol in Santa Monica, California.
Do you believe that drinking alcohol can be harmful?
Maybe
No
Yes
13%
4%
83%
Have you had a binge drinking experience in the past month?
No
Yes
93%
7%
Do you consume alcohol daily?
Maybe
No
Yes
17%
77%
6%
How old were you when you first experimented with alcohol?
0-10
11-21
22-31
32 or older
6%
17%
55%
22%
What motivated you to use drugs or alcohol for the first time in Santa Monica, California?
Boredom
Curiousity
Drugs were all around
Family problem
Hopelessness
It was easy to get
None of the above
Peer Pressure
To fit in
Unhappiness
8%
30%
1%
0%
5%
3%
39%
5%
1%
8%
Most common first drug experience in Santa Monica, California?
Alcohol
Club Drug
Crack Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Inhalants
Marijuana
Meth
Over The Counter Drug
Powder Cocaine
Prescription Drug
Psychedelic Drug
22%
6%
3%
6%
3%
2%
12%
5%
9%
10%
15%
7%
Use of drugs and alcohol in Santa Monica, California schools.
Have you ever gone to school in Santa Monica, California under the influence of marijuana?
Maybe
No
Yes
11%
80%
9%
Have you ever gone to school in Santa Monica, California under the influence of alcohol?
Maybe
No
Yes
1%
96%
3%
What is the most common drug used in your school in Santa Monica, California?
Alcohol
Club Drug
Crack Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Inhalants
Marijuana
Meth
Over The Counter Drug
Powder Cocaine
Prescription Drug
Psychedelic Drug
23%
4%
2%
3%
2%
3%
12%
4%
12%
4%
22%
9%
Your Age?
0-10
11-21
22-31
32 or older
6%
11%
58%
25%
Your Gender?
Female
Male
19%
81%
Surveys updated monthly.

Please, do not fill out our drug and alcohol monitoring survey on this page if you do not live in Santa Monica, California.

Thanks for participating in our drug and alcohol abuse monitoring program.

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