In So Cal, Santa Monica is known as "The people's republic of Santa Monica." It isn't a bad place to live if you prefer socialism/communism. There is a nig patch of very seedy neighborhoods in and around Santa Monica. I think it was DDubs that had it right when he said L.A. to San Diego. Actually, anywhere from Huntingon Beach to Coronado is very nice. Corona Del Mar and Newport are great, but you need a mid 6 figure income to live anywhere nice there. From San Diego north there are spectacular places, many ultra expensive like La Jolla or Del Mar; others almost as nice but half the price like Encinitas, Leucadia, Solano Beach. Places like Carlsbad and Cardiff, closer to San Diego, alsop great. Oceanside is one to stay away from unless you like Marines. Be prepared to spend some money if you want to live on the water. Hard to find places on the sand in Orange County under a million. Just for example, I live on the water in Huntington Harbour (fancy folks name for Huntington Beach, but more of a marina). I have a one bedrom, loft, 1 1/2 bath condo. One a few houses away just sold for $425,000. It's a great life, like living in a resort everyday. If I had a choice, I'd probably move farther south to Laguna ot closer to Northern San Diego county.