The Pico Neighborhood of Santa Monica is located south and east of the Mid-City Neighborhood. As Santa Monica’s most affordable neighborhood, Its boundaries are Lincoln Blvd to the west, Centinela Ave to the east, Olympic Ave to the north and Pico Blvd to the south.

Before the 1960s, the Pico Neighborhood was much larger, but when the Santa Monica Freeway opened in the 1960s, it resulted in the destruction of many residences and the relocation of a large number of families. The Santa Monica Freeway runs through the area with access near both Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Blvd.

Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College are both on Pico. Pico Blvd in Santa Monica has traffic lights at nearly every block, as well as local and middle class businesses. Santa Monica College, located on Pico Blvd between 14th and 20th Streets, is a major presence in the area.

Apartment buildings and condos predominate, few single-family homes can be found, particularly at the eastern end of the neighborhood.