A Coveted Residential Pocket with Deep Local Roots
Sunset Park occupies the southeastern portion of Santa Monica and offers something increasingly rare on the Westside: a true neighborhood feel within minutes of the beach and major employment hubs. The neighborhood is anchored by local institutions including Santa Monica College, Clover Park, and a strong network of public schools, contributing to long-term stability and consistency owner occupancy.
Sunset Park Housing Profile
Nearly two-thirds of Sunset Park's housing inventory was built between the 1930s and 1950s.
Source: Title - includes single family homes, duplexes, triplexes and condo units.
Decade Built | Percentage of Housing Units |
|---|---|
Pre-1930s | 10.7% |
1930s | 20.5% |
1940s | 32.1% |
1950s | 11.8% |
1960s | 2.6% |
1970s | 6.1% |
1980s | 8.7% |
1990s | 2.6% |
2000s | 1.6% |
2010s | 3.0% |
2020s | 0.2% |
Single Family Homes - Sunset Park Market Snapshot 2025
Condos - Sunset Park Market Snapshot 2025
Sunset Park Market Trends
Source: TheMLS data for Sunset Park
Year | Median Sold Price |
|---|---|
2016 | $1.75M |
2017 | $1.85M |
2018 | $1.91M |
2019 | $1.95M |
2020 | $2.15M |
2021 | $2.45M |
2022 | $2.50M |
2023 | $2.15M |
2024 | $2.30M |
2025 | $2.54M |
Year | Median Sold Price |
|---|---|
2016 | $903K |
2017 | $918K |
2018 | $1.04M |
2019 | $975K |
2020 | $1.10M |
2021 | $1.29M |
2022 | $941K |
2023 | $1.06M |
2024 | $1.19M |
2025 | $1.15M |
Sunset Park is primarily made up of single-family homes originally built in the 1930s through 1950s, with the 1940s representing the largest concentration of housing inventory. Many of these homes were modest post-war properties built on rectangular lots that still define the neighborhood’s layout today.
Within the single-family market, architectural styles vary. Buyers can find Spanish-style homes, traditional bungalows, mid-century, ranch-style homes, extensively remodeled residences, modern farmhouses, and new construction.
Over time, the area has evolved through remodels, expansions, architectural rebuilds, and selective new construction. Sunset Park also includes a smaller condo and townhome segment, much of which was developed or converted during the 1970s, 1980s & 1990s with some newer construction.
In Sunset Park, homes that appear similar on paper can compete in entirely different buyer categories.
Because much of the neighborhood was built during the same post-war era, value is often driven less by original construction date and more by what has been done to the property over time. Buyers tend to evaluate factors such as layout, condition, architectural quality, lot utility, natural light, and long-term potential.
As a result, pricing strategy in Sunset Park is often more nuanced than simply averaging nearby comparable sales.
(Related insight: Why pricing strategy matters more than many sellers realize.)
Not necessarily.
While some condos and townhomes in Sunset Park were purpose-built during the 1970s and 1980s, others were originally apartment buildings constructed in earlier decades and later converted into condominiums.
The neighborhood also includes a smaller number of newer condo and townhome developments built from the 1990s onward.
This layered development history helps explain why condo buildings in the neighborhood can vary significantly in layout, condition, homeowner association structure, and overall buyer appeal.
Many residential lots in Sunset Park fall within an approximate range of 5,000 to 7,500 square feet, though sizes can vary depending on street, location, and property type.
The neighborhood’s rectangular, grid-based layout was largely established during the post-war housing expansion of the 1940s and 1950s, and continues to influence how homes are expanded, rebuilt, and valued today.
Buyer priorities often vary by property type and price point, but common themes include quiet location, lot potential, feel of the street, and long-term flexibility.
Sunset Park tends to attract move-up Westside buyers, Silicon Beach professionals, families seeking highly-rated Santa Monica public schools, and buyers seeking the opportunity to remodel, expand, or reposition a property over time.
Sunset Park real estate can be highly competitive when properties are properly positioned.
Well-prepared properties that align with buyer expectations often generate strong early interest, particularly within the first two weeks on market. At the same time, buyers in the neighborhood tend to be selective, especially when comparing similar homes built during the same era.
Because of this, preparation, presentation, and pricing strategy can significantly influence the trajectory of a sale.
Sunset Park is known less for large commercial districts and more for its collection of neighborhood-serving restaurants, cafes, and long-standing local favorites spread throughout the area.
Some well-known spots in Sunset Park include:
Local Kitchen & Wine Bar
Lunetta
Rae's Restaurant
Gilbert's El Indio
Cosetta
The Cloverfield
Thyme Cafe and Market
Part of Sunset Park’s appeal is that dining tends to feel integrated into everyday neighborhood life rather than centered around tourism-heavy destinations.
Residents also benefit from convenient access to grocery stores in Sunset Park, such as Gelson's, Trader Joe's, and local favorite Bob's Market.
The future of the Santa Monica Airport remains one of the most closely watched long-term issues affecting the Sunset Park area.
The City of Santa Monica previously entered into an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that allows the airport to close no earlier than the end of 2028. While that date is often referenced publicly, the long-term outcome for the site is still ever-evolving and subject to future planning, environmental review, political decisions, and community input.
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