Santa Monica encourages commuters to plan ahead as high schools return to downtown area
August 12, 2025 12:10 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2025) – Palisades Charter High School and Santa Monica High School students will return to the downtown and civic center area in the coming two weeks as the fall semester begins at both campuses.
Pali High students will return to the school’s temporary Santa Monica campus at the site of the former Sears building on Colorado Avenue on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Samohi students are set to return to their campus on Thursday, Aug. 21.
Santa Monica welcomed Pali High students to the Sears site in April, after the devastating January wildfires damaged their home campus in neighboring Pacific Palisades. The city is ready to welcome students and staff back through Dec. 19, as they continue to prepare to return to the Palisades.
Pali High’s temporary campus was made possible thanks to an emergency order approved by the City Council in January that allowed schools affected by the wildfires to relocate to Santa Monica. The school is one of four that have relocated to Santa Monica and are also returning for the new school year.
With the influx of students, city officials advise commuters, residents, workers and business owners to allow extra time if traveling near school areas, be on the lookout for students, and always choose to take the friendly road.
“Back to school can be a hectic transition for many families, and especially for our Palisades families who are still in the process of rebuilding,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “The city remains a committed partner in helping restore a sense of normalcy as families settle into their routines for the new school year.”
The city is working with local partners to help families get to and from schools safely:
- Crossing guards will be at every Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) campus to help manage critical intersections.
- SMMUSD and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) participate in the regional GoPass program, which provides free transit rides to all K-12 students. This includes rides on Big Blue Bus and LA Metro trains and buses.
- Construction was completed earlier this year on the pedestrian improvements at six schools, which implemented critical pedestrian safety improvements around Edison Language Academy, Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse (SMASH), John Muir Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Grant Elementary and Franklin Elementary.
- School safety tips from the Santa Monica Police Department include information for students and parents as well as important safety tips for motorists navigating the streets around schools.
And downtown businesses will continue to offer discounts and specials for faculty and students. More information is available here.
For more information on back-to-school transportation and Take the Friendly Road resources, click here.
Media Contact
Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
Tati.Simonian@santamonica.gov
Categories
Getting Around, Transportation Planning, Ways to Get Around