Santa Monica [key], city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. The RAND Corp., the noted think-tank, has its headquarters there. Santa Monica has a 3-mi (4.8-km) oceanfront beach that includes the Pier, with amusement rides and an aquarium. A museum of flying is in the city, and several state parks are nearby. Historic Route 66 ended in Santa Monica.
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