Sunset Park - Santa Monica, CA Area Guide

Although Sunset Park's original draw in the early 1900s was the nearby beach, the neighborhood's real growth came in the 1940s when 40,000 factory workers moved to Sunset Park to work at Douglas Aircraft. This brought the neighborhood's biggest housing boom to date, and most homes date back to this era.

Aviation remains a strong part of the neighborhood's history and culture. Stop by the Museum of Flying at the airport to try out the flight simulator and browse old aircraft and artifacts. Sunset Park also hosts a laid-back arts scene with a few galleries and art shops scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Sunset Park's prime location has attracted talented chefs from around the world, creating a unique dining scene with several facets to ensure an exciting dining experience. Explore the authentic Thai restaurants along Lincoln Boulevard, the eclectic mix of grills and cafes on Ocean Park Boulevard, and the melting pot of casual Mexican eats and other international delicacies on Pico Boulevard. Most locals head to the beachfront for an energetic nightlife scene, but you can also find a few neighborhood bars for a casual night of pool with your buddies.

Hawaiian decor and tikis greet you when you step inside Shaka Shack Burgers, Sunset Park's go-to lunch spot with a big menu of upscale junk food. Be sure to try the Kauaiian, the restaurant's signature burger stacked with bacon, and order the fries with truffle oil for an extra special treat. The wait time usually hovers around 20 minutes, but the juicy burgers never disappoint. Consider riding your bike here rather than driving since parking options are slim. For comfort food in a trendy package, spend your afternoon at chef-owned Thyme Cafe and Market, where you're greeted by an appetizing display of daily treats ranging from quinoa salad to vegan hazelnut chocolate chip cookies. Locals enjoy chatting with familiar faces in this communal hangout while chowing down on breakfast baguettes, shrimp salad or bread pudding.

The Daily Pint has become the community's favorite dive bar, thanks to its cheap drafts and diverse crowd of neighbors ranging from college students to retired veterans. The Pint also displays one of biggest scotch and whiskey selections in the L.A. metro area. Feel free to play a game of shuffleboard or pool while you sip on your Black Maple Hill.

Sunset Park provides easy access to both the 10 and 405 freeways, so drivers enjoy a short commute to work in downtown L.A. You can also hop on the municipal Big Blue Bus for a trip to other parts of Santa Monica or a transfer to a Metro bus. The neighborhood's close proximity to the beach makes it a big tourist draw, meaning many streets closer to the ocean become gridlocked over the weekends. Free parking is scarce with most of the neighborhood offering high-priced metered parking. If you don't want to deal with parking, call a Santa Monica Yellow cab or Uber for a quick drop-off at your favorite restaurant.

Sunset Park stands out as a bike-friendly neighborhood with bike lanes covering major roads such as Ocean Park Boulevard and Pearl Street. This neighborhood also becomes a haven for pedestrians with ample sidewalks, a cool breeze during the summer and plenty of amenities within walking distance.

Enjoy endless recreation options in Sunset Park with several well-equipped public green spaces, or take the short walk to Santa Monica Beach. If you're spending a day on the sandy shores, take advantage of free exercise equipment, a wide boardwalk for biking and easy access to Santa Monica Pier for fishing or riding the Ferris wheel.

Clover Park stands out as the community's favorite hangout on a sunny day with its playground and model control tower for the kids. The free parking lot is a breath of fresh air for Santa Monica residents, and the exercise stations along a jogging path make for a great workout. Residents also come here to walk their dogs on the wide, grassy field.

Sunset Park's prime location near Santa Monica Beach keeps both housing and general living costs high for the L.A. area. However, the cost of living runs low when compared to the city of Santa Monica's over cost of living. If you want to rent one of the community's apartments, be prepared to pay around $2,000 for a one-bedroom dwelling.

Going out for a beer after work runs around $6 to $7 for a pint at your local bar. If you're taking the bus to downtown L.A., expect to pay $1 for the municipal bus pick-up plus a 50-cent transfer to a Metro bus. When filling your tank, get ready for gas prices that stay around 12 percent above the national average.

Unlike the tourist-heavy shopping areas near the pier, Sunset Park gives you a laid-back shopping experience that feels more small town than big city. Stop in at the high-end thrift stores and cute boutiques along Ocean Park Boulevard, where you'll also find beauty shops, auto stores and other amenities for all your basic needs. If you don't mind the crowds, head to Santa Monica Place or the Third Street Promenade, where you can find dozens of top designers.

If an eco-chic thrift boutique for vintage, designer and hand-made fashion items appeals to you, don't miss the Give + Take Swap Boutique. After buying a monthly membership or day pass, swap your gently used brand-name clothing, shoes and accessories for other items of equal value. Be sure to browse the free section where plenty of hidden treasures await. Stop by Artful Handcrafted to explore a beautiful selection of jewelry and other gift items made by local artists. Find candles, wall art, picture frames and seashell necklaces for that perfect gift, and don't forget to pick up a beaded bracelet for yourself. Keep on the lookout for special events such as wine parties and artist demonstrations.

When you need to make your grocery run, head to Trader Joe's for organic produce. Don't forget to stop by the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays for local fruits, vegetables and baked goods.