Mar Vista is a neighborhood located near the heart of the Westside, adjacent to the cities of Santa Monica and Culver City, as well as the communities of Palms, Venice, and Marina Del Rey. With its top-rated schools, parks and recreation centers, Mar Vista is the ideal city for families to live and raise their children. From its safe neighborhoods amenities are easily accessible due to the area’s walkability as well as its close proximity to major transportation routes and larger urban centers. The Mar Vista Community Council is a great resource to get all the information about Mar Vista and zoning regulations.
Mar Vista takes its name from the Spanish term that means “sea view” or in this case, “ocean view.” Here spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean can be seen from quite a few homes, particularly the area known as Mar Vista Hill. The neighborhood was first settled in the 1920s, with large estates built alongside lima bean fields and meadows. After World War II, Mar Vista saw a building boom, and many of the homes here were built for returning war veterans. The Mar Vista Historical Society documents the changing, unique character of Mar Vista in recorded times with stories, maps, photographs and oral histories. It also preserves historical resources related to Mar Vista neighborhoods. Our Team Leader, Sherri, was a founding member of the Mar Vista Historical Society, which also offers walking tours of the Oval Neighborhood, Mormon Hill, and Ocean Park Heights.