North of Montana - Santa Monica, CA Area Guide

Although the city of Santa Monica was founded in 1875, the North of Montana area wasn't originally part of it. Development began with the creation of Gillette Regent Square, a section of the neighborhood that features 9,000-square-foot lots with extremely upscale homes. While the southern part of Santa Monica has sometimes undergone more turbulent political and social changes, nothing much disturbs the placid small-town feel of the wealthy North of Montana area.

The Aero Theater on Montana Avenue, one of the homes of American Cinematheque, features film festivals, special screenings, guest speakers and other film-related events, all in a theater that beautifully preserves its retro vibe.

Hundreds of local residents converge on 16th Street and Georgina Avenue every Halloween for trick or treating. The neighborhood makes the visitors welcome by going overboard to decorate and handing out thousands of candies.

Restaurants in the North of Montana neighborhood of Santa Monica center along Montana Avenue, which consists of about a dozen blocks of high-end boutiques and eateries. Stop by here for everything from a casual lunch with neighbors to a special dinner. For further dining options, all of Santa Monica's gastronomical delights are just blocks away.

For a casual bite to eat or an upscale coffee drink, swing by the charming Spazio Caffe on Montana Avenue. Locals rave about the espresso con gelato and the Nutella coffee, and kids love making the important choice between 18 flavors of hot chocolate.

When you want a healthy meal out, head to Greens Up!, where all salads are served in enormous stainless steel bowls. Make your own salad, choosing your favorite greens, proteins, crunchy toppings, and dressings, and stick to the healthy side by adding a cold-pressed juice to your order.

Many consider the burger at Father's Office to be the best in all of Los Angeles. Try it yourself, but don't bring the kids with you. As a bar, Father's Office doesn't admit anyone under 21. Locals also rave about the duck confit and the bartenders' extensive knowledge about the beers they serve.

For any type of nightlife, you have to leave the North of Montana area and head south into the commercial district of Santa Monica. Here you can enjoy bumper pool, darts and an ambiance quiet enough to let you talk to your friends at Barkowski on Pico Boulevard. If you want jazz and blues with a mellow vibe, revel in the vibe at Harvelle's blues club on 4th Street. The Room Santa Monica on Santa Monica Boulevard has a DJ spinning '90s hip-hop and top 40 tunes, but dress lightly, as there's no air conditioning on the dance floor.

Residents of the North of Montana neighborhood tend to drive their cars wherever they go. The residential areas of the neighborhood all provide free street parking, but keep an eye on your parking meter when on Montana Avenue to avoid getting a ticket.

What public transportation exists runs primarily on Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard. Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus connects the neighborhood to UCLA, downtown Santa Monica, Brentwood and West Los Angeles, while the one Los Angeles bus line that services the area connects it to Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. Taxis and Uber are available on an on-call basis only.

The North of Montana neighborhood provides delightful walking possibilities, with many enjoying a stroll along the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean or down San Vicente Boulevard's grassy median filled with historic coral trees. Major roads have bike lanes, and the quiet traffic makes it easy to ride a bike through the neighborhood.

As the only park directly inside the North of Montana neighborhood, Palisades Park attracts locals and tourists for its serenity, its long paths for strolling or running, and its spectacular views overlooking Santa Monica Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the rose garden, the public art works sprinkled throughout the park, or just the ocean breezes on your face. Many hometowners come here to walk their leashed dogs or let their kids run free on the grass. While this park doesn't provide any formal activities, events or equipment, North of Montana residents feel lucky to have such a beautiful stretch of parkland in their backyard.

The cost of living North of Montana remains one of the highest in all of Los Angeles, with the total cost of living running 51 percent higher than that of L.A. in general. Much of this increased cost owes itself to the cost of housing. Most of the area consists of single-family homes, but the available apartments or rental condos tend toward the pricey despite Santa Monica's rent control laws, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $4,700 per month.

Once you subtract the cost of housing, the North of Montana neighborhood looks a bit more reasonable. Though the cost of gasoline runs about 12 percent higher than the national average, a bus ride to downtown Santa Monica only costs $1. Pick up a craft beer on Montana Avenue for $8 to $10 on your way home from work.

Many residents who live North of Montana head south to Santa Monica Place or the Third Street Promenade for their major shopping expeditions. However, the cute boutiques and specialty shops along Montana Avenue provide intriguing choices when you're looking for a unique outfit or gift, and the whole street acts as one big outlet when those in need of some retail therapy. Don't expect to find many bargains on this pricey street, however.

Head to ABS by Allen Schwartz's flagship store on Montana Avenue for anything from a cute daytime dress to a wedding gown. The friendly associates help you put together the perfect outfit based on your personal fit and style.

Find a wide range of skin and beauty products, including face washes, body lotions and sunscreens, at Kiehl's. The associates are generous when it comes to handing out free samples, and if a product doesn't work for you, the store lets you return it.

The Vons market at one end of Montana Avenue provides neighborhood residents with a supermarket to pick up their staples, but many residents choose to patronize smaller, more elite markets along the avenue. The Whole Foods Market on Montana took over a small space, so it doesn't offer everything you can find at the palatial Whole Foods on Wilshire Boulevard to the south, but it's handy when you need organic produce or supplements. Longtime neighborhood staple The Farms remains popular with people who've lived in the neighborhood for years. They praise its fresh-squeezed orange juice, handmade deli sandwiches and helpful butcher shop.

While the North of Montana neighborhood doesn't host its own farmers market, many locals head south to the giant Santa Monica farmers market that takes over several blocks in downtown Santa Monica every Wednesday and Saturday.