Across the year, daylight in Santa Monica ranges from about 9h 44m in December to 14h 16m in June — a 4h 32m swing that shapes sleep, mood and training rhythms. From roughly late December to January, the sun sits too low for much vitamin D production.
Santa Monica is part of the Greater Los Angeles; the nearest other Live10X guide is Los Angeles, about 14 miles away.
Santa Monica by the numbers
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Elevation
- under 500 ft
- Latitude
- 34.0°N
- Shortest day
- 9h 44m
- Longest day
- 14h 16m
- Vitamin D winter
- Late December to January
- Metro
- Greater Los Angeles
At a glance
Santa Monica at a glance
- Top local priority in Santa Monica: year-round outdoor movement.
- Daylight swings from about 9h 44m to 14h 16m across the year — anchor your wake time and get morning light.
- Sunlight is too weak for much vitamin D production from roughly late December to January; a blood test shows where you stand.
- Use the Marvin Braude Beach Bike Trail and Palisades Park for easy, regular outdoor movement.
Climate & lifestyle
What living in Santa Monica means for your health
Santa Monica has a Mediterranean-type climate: mild, damp winters and long, dry summers with plenty of sunshine. It's one of the easiest climates in the country for year-round outdoor training — the main watch-outs are summer UV, midsummer heat inland and smoky days in wildfire season.
- year-round outdoor movement
- daily sun protection
- air-quality awareness in fire season
- consistent sleep through long summer evenings
Light, sleep & vitamin D
Daylight in Santa Monica across the year
9h 44m
Shortest day (December)
14h 16m
Longest day (June)
~1 mo
Low-UVB “vitamin D winter”
At about 34.0°N, Santa Monica sees a 4h 32m swing in day length between the solstices. UVB is weakest in midwinter, but midday sun can still support vitamin D production most of the year. That's roughly late December to January. Bright morning light helps anchor your body clock, and a simple blood test shows whether your vitamin D is where it should be.
Calculated from latitude using standard solar formulas and published latitude research. How we calculate this
Local wellness trends
Wellness trends in Santa Monica
Year-round outdoor training
Mild weather means Santa Monica's runners, cyclists and outdoor bootcamps rarely need an off-season.
Ocean fitness
Surfing, open-water swimming and beach workouts are part of daily life in Santa Monica, pairing cardio with cold-water exposure.
Run clubs & races
Run clubs, trail races and marquee events give Santa Monica's runners community, structure and a reason to keep showing up.
Coastal trails & ocean swims
Coastal trail runs and cold ocean swims connect Santa Monica's residents to the Pacific.
Local health optimization resources
Places to move, recover and eat well in Santa Monica
- Trailthe Marvin Braude Beach Bike TrailCar-free miles for zone 2 walks, runs and rides.
- ParkPalisades ParkGreen space for walks, bodyweight workouts and time in nature.
- Trailthe Santa Monica StairsCar-free miles for zone 2 walks, runs and rides.
Testing
At-home wellness genetic testing
Available throughout Santa Monica: order online, collect a sample at home and review results with a qualified professional.
Learn more about at-home wellness genetic testingHealthcare
Preventive care & baseline labs
Primary care clinicians in Los Angeles County can order baseline labs — such as a lipid panel, HbA1c, vitamin D and B12 — useful context for any wellness plan.
Learn more about preventive care & baseline labsNutrition
Farmers markets & local food
Santa Monica's food scene makes it easier to eat 30+ different plants a week — shop seasonal produce at local farmers markets.
Learn more about farmers markets & local foodSeasonal playbook
A seasonal wellness playbook for Santa Monica
- Winter: mild temperatures keep outdoor training on track — the rainy season rarely derails a well-planned week.
- Summer: strong sun and dry heat inland — train early, use sunscreen and hydrate well.
- Late summer and fall: check air-quality forecasts during wildfire season and move hard workouts indoors on smoky days.
- Year-round: day length only varies by about 4h 32m, so a consistent sleep schedule is easy to hold — protect it.
Recommended reading
The most relevant guides for Santa Monica residents
FAQ
Santa Monica wellness FAQs
Do I need to visit a clinic in Santa Monica for a wellness genetic test?
Is Santa Monica's climate good for year-round training?
Can you get enough vitamin D from the sun in Santa Monica?
How do seasonal daylight changes in Santa Monica affect sleep?
Where can you walk, run or train outdoors in Santa Monica?
The bottom line
Living well in Santa Monica means working with its mild, wet winters and dry, sunny summers: year-round outdoor movement, daily sun protection and air-quality awareness in fire season. Add the fundamentals — consistent sleep, daily movement, strength training and a whole-food diet — and personalize with the wellness assessment and at-home testing.
