Pacific Plaza Towers in Santa Monica, CA

Pros

• The maintenance team is outstanding, with Kevin and Orlando delivering thorough, timely service.
• Megan has done a fabulous job coordinating repair projects and remains professional and pleasant.
• Linda Alvarez has dramatically improved the living experience since taking over, with repairs and upgrades addressed promptly.
• James, the new manager, leads with care and attention to detail, bringing positive changes to the community.
• Gale from Marketing provided prompt, exceptional service, including returning a forgotten laptop.
• The property's location across from the Santa Monica Pier and its ocean views make it a highly desirable place to live.
• The recent renovations, cleaner spaces, and improved safety reflect a renewed commitment to quality.

Cons

• Repeated leaks flood apartments, and repairs are often dismissed or delayed by maintenance staff.
• The elevators are old and frequently out of service, leaving residents stuck and needing rescues.
• Management is described as unprofessional and harassing, with policies changing midstream and alleged rent-control violations.
• Cockroach infestations and mold are reported, with little to no action taken by management.
• The parking garage is exposed to theft and vandalism, and security concerns go unaddressed.
• The surrounding area is unsafe, with lots of garbage, defecation, and drug activity near the property.
• Rent is criticized as outrageously high for poor upkeep, and maintenance requests are often ignored for weeks or months.

Review

Pacific Plaza Towers is best suited for tenants who prize the Santa Monica beach lifestyle first and foremost, and who can endure an older, high-rise building in exchange for rent control and dramatic ocean views. The property's strongest pull is its location: steps from the pier, easy access to shops, dining, and the dog-friendly, bike-friendly vibe that makes the coastal corridor appealing. Several residents cite the rent-control framework as a major plus, as well as the on-site amenities that support a low-frills, laid-back beach living rhythm. When management alignment is steady and the maintenance team is well supported, the community can feel surprisingly cohesive and homey.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are precisely the ones who demand unflinching reliability in critical operations. Elevators that function consistently, pest and moisture management with visible, ongoing results, and a front-office culture that stays professional even under pressure are non-negotiables for many. A thread of reviews highlights concerns around safety and responsiveness, including prolonged elevator outages, chronic maintenance delays, and a history of resident treatment that some perceive as dismissive. For households with mobility challenges, sensitivity to noise, or strong safety expectations, there are other buildings that may deliver more predictable operations and fewer headaches.

The key pros - location, rent control, and accessible amenities - often offset many downsides when the leadership is stable and the maintenance crew is responsive. Across several threads, the maintenance team earns frequent praise for professionalism and effectiveness, with specific thanks to technicians who explain repairs and stay until the job is done. The presence of a strong on-site manager who genuinely cares about the community can magnify these strengths; when Linda Alvarez or other proactive managers take charge, issues get triaged quickly, repairs move to closure, and residents feel heard. In such moments, the property feels well-run, organized, and capable of sustaining long-term residency.

Complementing the maintenance strengths are the staff-level relationships that shape day-to-day life. Residents repeatedly highlight courteous, helpful individuals in the leasing office, security, and valet services, and a cadre of teammates who rally to support residents after major incidents. The improvements under newer leadership have real impact: cleaner common areas, a more transparent operation, and a palpable shift toward accountability and follow-through. When management alignment exists, the building's best-in-class features - ocean views, proximity to Palisades Park, and the social buzz of a vibrant beachside community - are not canceled out by the rougher edges of aging infrastructure.

However, the cons remain meaningful and, in some cases, persistent enough to deter potential renters. Persistent elevator downtime, reports of roach and mold concerns in some units, and neighborhood-safety worries undercut the otherwise appealing package for many families and older adults who rely on consistent service. There are also striking anecdotes about leasehold disclosures and on-site notices that raise questions for prospective tenants about safety, building integrity, and the cost of capital improvements. While some residents praise major management upgrades and specific personnel, others describe a revolving door of leaders and a front office that can feel distant or unresponsive in peak periods.

The bottom line for decision-making is clear. Pacific Plaza Towers can be a compelling choice for those who value the beachfront lifestyle, the benefit of rent control, and a management team that has shown it can stabilize and improve operations when properly supported. It is less compelling for buyers or renters who crave flawless infrastructure, unflinching reliability in maintenance and safety, and a front office with a consistently warm, responsive culture. Prospective residents should verify the current leadership's momentum and hold them to clear expectations: elevator reliability, pest control results, prompt handling of maintenance requests, and a plan for ongoing capital improvements. Tour with specific questions in hand, talk to multiple residents about current conditions, and weigh whether the location's undeniable appeal justifies the ongoing trade-offs.

Restaurants

• Water Grill (0 miles)
• Santa Monica Whaler (0.1 miles)
• Meat On Ocean (0.1 miles)
• Elephante (0.1 miles)
• True Food Kitchen (0.1 miles)
• Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe (0.2 miles)
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co (0.3 miles)

Parks

• Santa Monica State Beach (0.1 miles)
• Palisades Park (0.2 miles)
• DOG PPL - Dog Park, Bar, Cafe & Lounge (0.3 miles)
• Ocean View Park (1.3 miles)
• South Beach Park (1.4 miles)
• Penmar Recreation Center (2.4 miles)
• Will Rogers State Historic Park (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Santa Monica - UCLA Medical Center & Orthopaedic Hospital (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• The Rose Cafe & Market (1.6 miles)
• Gjusta (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Great White (2.3 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Chocolate Bash (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Kaiser Permanente Culver Marina Medical Offices (4.4 miles)
• UCLA Stein Eye Institute Westwood (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• King Fahad Mosque (5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Century City 15 (5.4 miles)
• Cinemark 18 and XD (6.5 miles)