I am a Santa Monica local and a new mom, and I think I picked the BEST place to live with a baby! This beachside town is laidback but has a lot going on. There are beautiful walking streets like Montana Avenue and Main Street. Plus they have all sorts of great shops for kids and grownups on the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. The restaurants here all feel very baby-friendly too!
I've done a few staycations at local hotels in Santa Monica, and was always surprised at how they go out their way to make it easy for us parents. They have high chairs, cribs, kid programming and all those extra details that make it so much easier to travel with a baby or 2 or 3.
With a baby, you cannot beat having gorgeous sunny (but not too hot) weather all year round. That makes it so easy for me to bring my daughter out to a local park or down to the beach. She loves the Santa Monica Pier, with all it's bright lights and California views.
If you cannot tell, I am in love with my hometown, even more so now as a mom, and I am fortunate that this town cares about kids and bringing families together.

This video was produced in partnership with Santa Monica Tourism.
Camera: Mike Dewey