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Santa Monica Filming Locations

Location Library

Santa Monica is the beach town Los Angeles shows the world. We represent 50+ film-ready locations from the beach to the working streets behind it: oceanfront beach houses, garden bungalows, modern homes, and hotels, with the pier and that long, bright stretch of sand always a few blocks away.

The neighborhood photographs as sunshine and ease, which is why commercials and features keep coming back. Mornings bring soft marine light, afternoons go full California, and a walk-and-talk can run from a bungalow porch to the sand in one move. Santa Monica runs its own film office, and our team knows which properties welcome crews and how the beach-adjacent logistics actually work. Send us the boards and we will line up the right block.

Filming or photographing in Los Angeles? Tell us your shoot date(s) and cast and crew size. Inquire About a Location (310) 871-8004

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to film in Santa Monica?

Yes. Santa Monica is its own city with its own film office, separate from FilmLA. Beach and pier work involves additional review, and we point productions to the right application for each property when they book.

What kinds of locations are in Santa Monica?

Oceanfront beach houses, garden bungalows, modern homes, and hotels, with the pier and the sand a few blocks from most of them.

How much does a Santa Monica location cost?

It depends on the property and the footprint. Send an inquiry from the listing that fits and we will quote it for your dates and shoot type.

Can I film on the beach itself?

Yes, with the right permit for that stretch of sand, and the city film office coordinates it. Several of our properties sit close enough that the house and the beach can share one shoot day.

What is the light like in Santa Monica?

Marine layer mornings and bright, even afternoons. Early calls often start in soft gray that burns off by mid-morning, and the late light over the water is the frame most commercials are here for.

How does Santa Monica differ from Venice on camera?

Santa Monica reads polished and bright, Venice reads layered and eclectic. They sit side by side, so productions often scout both; see the Venice locations page for the comparison.

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