SANTA MONICA

city, Los Angeles County, southern California, U.S., on Santa Monica Bay. Laid out in 1875 by Sen. John P. Jones, it was named for a local spring, Las Lgrimas de (the tears of ) Santa Monica, and promoted as an oceanside resort and portterminus of the Los Angeles-to-Independence Railroad. Although eclipsed as a port by San Pedro, it prospered as a residential and vacation centre. The Douglas Aircraft Company (McDonnellDouglas), established there after World War I, was the forerunner of the city's modern aerospace and communications industries. Santa Monica City (junior) College was established in 1929. Will Rogers State Beach and State Park are both in Pacific Palisades. Inc. 1886. Pop. (1990) 86,905.