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Phase 1: Charting the Course

Any planning process must begin with a comprehensive understanding of the site's existing conditions. Below you'll find a summary of our explorations of the Santa Monica Airport site, including its present and historical conditions. If you're interested in learning more, head over to the Learn & Engage page to view the Virtual Education Session 1 video.

Phase 1: Charting the Course

Any planning process must begin with a comprehensive understanding of the site's existing conditions. Below you'll find a summary of our explorations of the Santa Monica Airport site, including its present and historical conditions. If you're interested in learning more, head over to the Learn & Engage page to view the Virtual Education Session 1 video.

What's On the Site Today

What's On the Site Today

HISTORY

HISTORY

Site History Timeline

Site History Timeline

Site History Timeline

10,000 Years Ago

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1980s

2014

2017

2017 Cont.

2024

Learn More

10,000 Years Ago

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1980s

2014

2017

2017 Cont.

2024

Learn More

Over 10,000 Years Ago

The Santa Monica Airport site is on land of the Gabrieleno/Tongva, the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna that we now know as Santa Monica.

1910s

Originally a barley field, the Santa Monica Airdrome served as a base for US Army Air Service reserve during WWI.

1920s

The City held a special municipal election to approve a park bond to purchase the site in 1926. In 1929, the Airport hosted the first-ever Women’s National Air Derby.

1930s

The Airport leased and operated by the federal government during WWII and the Douglas Aircraft Company produced almost 30,000 aircrafts at the SMO facility and its workforce swells to 160,000.

1940s

During WWII, a decoy “neighborhood” was constructed to conceal the entire Airport site when viewed from the air.

1950s

Barker Hangar is built as an aviation manufacturing site.

1980s

Clover Park expands onto airport land with a 5.4 acre parcel which included two softball fields, a playground, and a restroom building.

2014

Measure LC is put on the ballot and approved by Santa Monica voters. Measure LC prohibits new development on Airport land, except for parks, public open spaces and public recreational facilities, until the voters approve limits on the uses and development that may occur on the land and affirms the City Council’s authority to manage the Airport and to close all or part of it after December 31, 2028.

2017

The Santa Monica City Council adopted Resolution 11026 directing the City to take all actions necessary to ensure the closure of the Santa Monica Airport (Airport) effective as of midnight on December 31, 2028 per the terms of the Consent Decree with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

2017 Continued

Santa Monica Airport’s runway is shortened from 5,000-feet to 3,500-feet, less than a year after the consent decree was signed. The City removed the excess pavement in 2018. The shortened runway significantly reduced impacts from jet aircraft operation to the neighboring communities by 81%. Jet operations continue to remain at low levels.

2024

Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project kicks-off, beginning a nearly two-year process of engagement with the Santa Monica community to shape a preferred scenario, centered on a great park, for the future of the Santa Monica Airport site.

Want to learn more?

Click the link for a complete site history of the Santa Monica Airport!

Over 10,000 Years Ago

The Santa Monica Airport site is on land of the Gabrieleno/Tongva, the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna that we now know as Santa Monica.

1910s

Originally a barley field, the Santa Monica Airdrome served as a base for US Army Air Service reserve during WWI.

1920s

The City held a special municipal election to approve a park bond to purchase the site in 1926. In 1929, the Airport hosted the first-ever Women’s National Air Derby.

1930s

The Airport leased and operated by the federal government during WWII and the Douglas Aircraft Company produced almost 30,000 aircrafts at the SMO facility and its workforce swells to 160,000.

1940s

During WWII, a decoy “neighborhood” was constructed to conceal the entire Airport site when viewed from the air.

1950s

Barker Hangar is built as an aviation manufacturing site.

1980s

Clover Park expands onto airport land with a 5.4 acre parcel which included two softball fields, a playground, and a restroom building.

2014

Measure LC is put on the ballot and approved by Santa Monica voters. Measure LC prohibits new development on Airport land, except for parks, public open spaces and public recreational facilities, until the voters approve limits on the uses and development that may occur on the land and affirms the City Council’s authority to manage the Airport and to close all or part of it after December 31, 2028.

2017

The Santa Monica City Council adopted Resolution 11026 directing the City to take all actions necessary to ensure the closure of the Santa Monica Airport (Airport) effective as of midnight on December 31, 2028 per the terms of the Consent Decree with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

2017 Continued

Santa Monica Airport’s runway is shortened from 5,000-feet to 3,500-feet, less than a year after the consent decree was signed. The City removed the excess pavement in 2018. The shortened runway significantly reduced impacts from jet aircraft operation to the neighboring communities by 81%. Jet operations continue to remain at low levels.

2024

Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project kicks-off, beginning a nearly two-year process of engagement with the Santa Monica community to shape a preferred scenario, centered on a great park, for the future of the Santa Monica Airport site.

Want to learn more?

Click the link for a complete site history of the Santa Monica Airport!

Over 10,000 Years Ago

The Santa Monica Airport site is on land of the Gabrieleno/Tongva, the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna that we now know as Santa Monica.

1910s

Originally a barley field, the Santa Monica Airdrome served as a base for US Army Air Service reserve during WWI.

1920s

The City held a special municipal election to approve a park bond to purchase the site in 1926. In 1929, the Airport hosted the first-ever Women’s National Air Derby.

1930s

The Airport leased and operated by the federal government during WWII and the Douglas Aircraft Company produced almost 30,000 aircrafts at the SMO facility and its workforce swells to 160,000.

1940s

During WWII, a decoy “neighborhood” was constructed to conceal the entire Airport site when viewed from the air.

1950s

Barker Hangar is built as an aviation manufacturing site.

1980s

Clover Park expands onto airport land with a 5.4 acre parcel which included two softball fields, a playground, and a restroom building.

2014

Measure LC is put on the ballot and approved by Santa Monica voters. Measure LC prohibits new development on Airport land, except for parks, public open spaces and public recreational facilities, until the voters approve limits on the uses and development that may occur on the land and affirms the City Council’s authority to manage the Airport and to close all or part of it after December 31, 2028.

2017

The Santa Monica City Council adopted Resolution 11026 directing the City to take all actions necessary to ensure the closure of the Santa Monica Airport (Airport) effective as of midnight on December 31, 2028 per the terms of the Consent Decree with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

2017 Continued

Santa Monica Airport’s runway is shortened from 5,000-feet to 3,500-feet, less than a year after the consent decree was signed. The City removed the excess pavement in 2018. The shortened runway significantly reduced impacts from jet aircraft operation to the neighboring communities by 81%. Jet operations continue to remain at low levels.

2024

Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project kicks-off, beginning a nearly two-year process of engagement with the Santa Monica community to shape a preferred scenario, centered on a great park, for the future of the Santa Monica Airport site.

Want to learn more?

Click the link for a complete site history of the Santa Monica Airport!

Historic map featuring archaeological sites belonging to the Gabrielino Indians near the end of the 1760s.
A painting showing members of the Tongva tribe and a few small structures on the grassy banks of a small stream.
A historical aerial image in black and white showing the agricultural uses that once comprised the Santa Monica Airport site.
An image of a historical newspaper clipping showing a black and white aerial image of the early Clover Field, with a small text blurb describing the site.
A black and white aerial photograph shows the emerging Clover Field site with a few small structures on-site. The context beyond Clover Field shows neighborhood streets emerging ahead of homes being built.
A black and white photograph of two pilots standing in front of a propeller aircraft on-site at Clover Field in the 1920s.
A historical black and white photograph showing a man standing before approximately a dozen small propeller aircraft organized into two lines at Clover FIeld.
A historical black and white photograph showing a man standing before approximately a dozen small propeller aircraft organized into two lines at Clover FIeld.
A black and white aerial photograph shows the emerging Clover Field site with a few small structures on-site. The context beyond Clover Field shows neighborhood streets emerging ahead of homes being built.
An image of a promotional poster from the 1930s featuring an announcement of the Douglas Company's plan to build a a manufacturing campus at Clover Field. The poster features a rendering of the proposed facility at Clover Field, an image of over one hundred Douglas Company employees, and decorative patriotic and aviation elements.
A historical black and white photograph of a crowd of well-dressed people standing in front of a propeller aircraft on-site at Clover Field.
A black and white aerial photo shows the runway having emerged on Clover Field as part of the Douglas Company's expansion of the site in the 1940s.
An oblique black and white aerial photograph showing Douglas Company facilities and hangars and several jet airplanes parked in lines on the taxiways outside.
A historical black and white photograph showcasing the decoy neighborhood that was constructed over Clover Field during WWII.
An image from inside the decoy neighborhood constructed over Clover Field during WWII.
An oblique black and white aerial photograph taken from an aircraft above the Clover Field runway shows the runway with Santa Monica Bay in the distance.
A black and white photograph shows a small aircraft on the runway of Clover Field with an air traffic control tower in the background.
A black and white photograph of The Spirit of Santa Monica, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, inside a hangar at Clover Field.
A black and white aerial photograph of a built-out airport site, including the 5,000-foot runway and the extension of Clover Park onto airport land.
A photo from the 1980s showing kids playing on playground equipment at Clover Park.
An image of the text of Measure LC
An image of the text of Santa Monica City Council Resolution 11026
An image of a santamonica.gov release announcing the completed runway shortening
Blue and green image of project logo with the text "Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project" on it
Historic map featuring archaeological sites belonging to the Gabrielino Indians near the end of the 1760s.
A painting showing members of the Tongva tribe and a few small structures on the grassy banks of a small stream.
A historical aerial image in black and white showing the agricultural uses that once comprised the Santa Monica Airport site.
An image of a historical newspaper clipping showing a black and white aerial image of the early Clover Field, with a small text blurb describing the site.
A black and white aerial photograph shows the emerging Clover Field site with a few small structures on-site. The context beyond Clover Field shows neighborhood streets emerging ahead of homes being built.
A black and white photograph of two pilots standing in front of a propeller aircraft on-site at Clover Field in the 1920s.
A historical black and white photograph showing a man standing before approximately a dozen small propeller aircraft organized into two lines at Clover FIeld.
A historical black and white photograph showing a man standing before approximately a dozen small propeller aircraft organized into two lines at Clover FIeld.
A black and white aerial photograph shows the emerging Clover Field site with a few small structures on-site. The context beyond Clover Field shows neighborhood streets emerging ahead of homes being built.
An image of a promotional poster from the 1930s featuring an announcement of the Douglas Company's plan to build a a manufacturing campus at Clover Field. The poster features a rendering of the proposed facility at Clover Field, an image of over one hundred Douglas Company employees, and decorative patriotic and aviation elements.
A historical black and white photograph of a crowd of well-dressed people standing in front of a propeller aircraft on-site at Clover Field.
A black and white aerial photo shows the runway having emerged on Clover Field as part of the Douglas Company's expansion of the site in the 1940s.
An oblique black and white aerial photograph showing Douglas Company facilities and hangars and several jet airplanes parked in lines on the taxiways outside.
A historical black and white photograph showcasing the decoy neighborhood that was constructed over Clover Field during WWII.
An image from inside the decoy neighborhood constructed over Clover Field during WWII.
An oblique black and white aerial photograph taken from an aircraft above the Clover Field runway shows the runway with Santa Monica Bay in the distance.
A black and white photograph shows a small aircraft on the runway of Clover Field with an air traffic control tower in the background.
A black and white photograph of The Spirit of Santa Monica, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, inside a hangar at Clover Field.
A black and white aerial photograph of a built-out airport site, including the 5,000-foot runway and the extension of Clover Park onto airport land.
A photo from the 1980s showing kids playing on playground equipment at Clover Park.
An image of the text of Measure LC
An image of the text of Santa Monica City Council Resolution 11026
An image of a santamonica.gov release announcing the completed runway shortening
Blue and green image of project logo with the text "Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project" on it
Historic map featuring archaeological sites belonging to the Gabrielino Indians near the end of the 1760s.
A painting showing members of the Tongva tribe and a few small structures on the grassy banks of a small stream.
A historical aerial image in black and white showing the agricultural uses that once comprised the Santa Monica Airport site.
An image of a historical newspaper clipping showing a black and white aerial image of the early Clover Field, with a small text blurb describing the site.
A black and white aerial photograph shows the emerging Clover Field site with a few small structures on-site. The context beyond Clover Field shows neighborhood streets emerging ahead of homes being built.
A black and white photograph of two pilots standing in front of a propeller aircraft on-site at Clover Field in the 1920s.
A historical black and white photograph showing a man standing before approximately a dozen small propeller aircraft organized into two lines at Clover FIeld.
A historical black and white photograph showing a man standing before approximately a dozen small propeller aircraft organized into two lines at Clover FIeld.
A black and white aerial photograph shows the emerging Clover Field site with a few small structures on-site. The context beyond Clover Field shows neighborhood streets emerging ahead of homes being built.
An image of a promotional poster from the 1930s featuring an announcement of the Douglas Company's plan to build a a manufacturing campus at Clover Field. The poster features a rendering of the proposed facility at Clover Field, an image of over one hundred Douglas Company employees, and decorative patriotic and aviation elements.
A historical black and white photograph of a crowd of well-dressed people standing in front of a propeller aircraft on-site at Clover Field.
A black and white aerial photo shows the runway having emerged on Clover Field as part of the Douglas Company's expansion of the site in the 1940s.
An oblique black and white aerial photograph showing Douglas Company facilities and hangars and several jet airplanes parked in lines on the taxiways outside.
A historical black and white photograph showcasing the decoy neighborhood that was constructed over Clover Field during WWII.
An image from inside the decoy neighborhood constructed over Clover Field during WWII.
An oblique black and white aerial photograph taken from an aircraft above the Clover Field runway shows the runway with Santa Monica Bay in the distance.
A black and white photograph shows a small aircraft on the runway of Clover Field with an air traffic control tower in the background.
A black and white photograph of The Spirit of Santa Monica, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, inside a hangar at Clover Field.
A black and white aerial photograph of a built-out airport site, including the 5,000-foot runway and the extension of Clover Park onto airport land.
A photo from the 1980s showing kids playing on playground equipment at Clover Park.
An image of the text of Measure LC
An image of the text of Santa Monica City Council Resolution 11026
An image of a santamonica.gov release announcing the completed runway shortening
Blue and green image of project logo with the text "Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project" on it

On-site Today

Site Materials

Site Topography

On-site Today

Site Materials

Site Topography

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Project Site

Project Site

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Project Site

POP Density

Site Accessibility

Site Hydrology

POP Density

Site Accessibility

Site Hydrology

An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

EXISTING CONDITIONS

City

EXISTING CONDITIONS

City

Urban Centers

Ecology Connector

The Opportunity

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

Urban Centers

The site's proximity to the urban centers of Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles region presents an exceptional opportunity for it to emerge as a well-connected community resource.

Ecology Connector

The site's location and topography play an important role in shaping Santa Monica's future ecological health, enabling better connectivity with the larger regional ecology.

The Opportunity

The Santa Monica Airport is strategically positioned to be reborn as a central community resource, with park and recreation offerings that feature captivating views of the mountains, ocean, and downtown Los Angeles.

Population Density

The airport site sits within the dense urban fabric of Santa Monica and Los Angeles's westside residential neighborhoods.

0-9,999

10,000-19,999

20,000-29,999

>30,000

People per sq. mile

Site Accessibility

Most Santa Monica residents can access the site via a 20-minute bike ride.

10 min walk

15 min walk

20 min walk

10 min bike

20 min bike

Site Hydrology

The Santa Monica Airport has a relatively low flood risk compared to other surrounding areas to the east.

Flow to Santa Monica Bay

Flow to Ballona Creek

Flood Risk

low-high

On-site Today

A variety of different uses and building types occupy the site today. In addition to aviation uses, the site is home to retail, art, cultural, institutional, and office facilities.

Retail / Restaurant

Arts/Culture/Institutional

Aviation Use

Office

Scheduled to be Demolished

Other

Site Materials

The Santa Monica Airport is 80% covered by impervious surfaces which include buildings, concrete, runway, plazas, and paths.

Pervious Surface

20%

Lawn

Sports Field

Interim landscape

Semi-Pervious Surface

80%

Building

Concrete & Asphalt

Tarmac

Plaza & Pathways

Site Topography

With the exception of the steep bluff drop off on the west side, the site is characterized by a relatively gentle east to west slope, which enables a clear view of the bay from many points of the property.

0-3 degrees

3-5

5-8

8-15

15-33

>33

An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including general water flow lines and Ballona Creek.
An oblique aerial image of Santa Monica and Los Angeles from above Santa Monica Bay with the airport site highlighted and key features diagrammed over the city and region, including major roads, the Expo Line, major commercial centers, and parks, and opportunities for view corridors from the airport site.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing population density by census block. The map shows the areas around the Santa Monica Airport site with slightly less dense residential populations than the rest of Santa Monica.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing walk and bike distance isochrones from the airport site. The image displays 10, 15, and 20-minute walk isochrones and 10 and 20-minute biking isochrones.
A map of Santa Monica and the immediate areas of Los Angeles surrounding the city showing major hydrological corridors draining toward Santa Monica Bay and areas of flood risk.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing present-day on site structures, color-coded by use type. The graphic shows a concentration of aviation and office buildings on the north side of the runway and a variety of aviation, arts, culture, institutional, and office buildings on the south side of the runway, along with a small number of retail buildings.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded site materiality.
A plan graphic of the Santa Monica Airport site showing color-coded slopes/topography, where red areas are steeper and green areas are more flat.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Region

Region

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Region

Let's shape the future of Santa Monica Airport site together.

Education

Learning Videos

Site History

Current Context

Engagement

Join the Events

Project Schedule

Share

Resources

Documents

FAQ's

City Website

Built By

BUILT BY

Let's shape the future of Santa Monica Airport site together.

Education

Learning Videos

Site History

Current Context

Engagement

Join the Events

Project Schedule

Share

Resources

Documents

FAQ's

City Website

Built By

BUILT BY

Let's shape the future of Santa Monica Airport site together.

Education

Learning Videos

Site History

Current Context

Engagement

Join the Events

Project Schedule

Share

Resources

Documents

FAQ's

City Website

Built By

BUILT BY

Let's shape the future of Santa Monica Airport site together.

Education

Learning Videos

Site History

Current Context

Engagement

Join the Events

Project Schedule

Share

Resources

Documents

FAQ's

City Website

BUILT BY