Santa Monica, Calif., at a Glance LOCATION: Immediately west of Los Angeles, situated along the Pacific Ocean north of LA's Venice Beach and south of Malibu. CLAIM TO FAME: A tourist mecca with such popular attractions as the Santa Monica Pier; wide, sandy beaches popular with surfers and swimmers; Palisades Park, popular with strollers, runners, dog walkers, exercise enthusiasts and others; and the Third Street Promenade with pricey shops and trendy restaurants and bars. TRIVIA: Frank Gehry established his reputation for artistic, sometimes quirky looking architecture by remodeling a modest Santa Monica home into a colorful work of art that he lived in for many years. NOTABLE SANTA MONICANS - Charlie Sheen and his brother, Emilio Estevez, attended high school in Santa Monica, as did Sean Penn and other celebrities. President John F. Kennedy's nephew Bobby Shriver is a resident and former city councilman. TITLES: Has sometimes been referred to as the Peoples Republic of Santa Monica for its liberal politics.