Statue of Santa Monica

The Santa Monica statue, emblem of Palisades Park

The Santa Monica audio-guided tour leads you, at the end of Wilshire Boulevard, facing the ocean, before one of the most recognisable silhouettes of Palisades Park: the statue of Saint Monica, who gave her name to the city. It is contemplated with respect, as a marker of identity.

An Art Deco sculpture by Eugene Morahan

The statue, a work by the sculptor Eugene Morahan, stands out for its very geometric, almost cinematic lines, typical of the Art Deco of the 1930s. Made of pale concrete and set on a massive base, it represents Saint Monica, a Christian figure after whom the city is named. The grassy promontory on which it stands has been shaped like a heart.

What there is to see

The statue stands facing the ocean, in the green setting of Palisades Park, on the cliffs overlooking the bay. With its clean lines and its panoramic location, it is one of the most photographed landmarks of Santa Monica. The park also offers superb views over the Pacific and the jetty.

Practical information

The Santa Monica statue is in Palisades Park, at the end of Wilshire Boulevard, on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It can be discovered freely at all hours and on the level. The park offers fine views, best discovered by day or at sunset.

Whom does the Santa Monica statue represent?

The statue represents Saint Monica, a Christian figure who gave her name to the city. It is the work of the sculptor Eugene Morahan, in an Art Deco style.

Where is the statue?

It stands in Palisades Park, at the end of Wilshire Boulevard, on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.