Santa Monica

One hundred-plus years of history was erased by cheap paint and $10 boob lights, but now this rental apartment feels like being transported to the South of France.

A dilapidated, detached garage tucked behind a Santa Monica bungalow is now a minimal, modern, and tiny rental house.

Name: Megan Martinez and Caleb Light-Wills Location: Santa Monica, California Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting When Megan moved to Los Angeles seven years ago from New York, she didn’t feel like she was really home until she found what she now calls her, “Boho Beach Bungalow” two years ago. As a blogger and designer, Megan’s home became the perfect canvas to create the beachy vibe she longed for while living on the Westside of LA.

Name: Chelsea Poling and cat Piper Location: Santa Monica, California Size: 1,450 square feet Years Lived In: 1 year, owned “I love the location of my home; I am less than a block from the Santa Monica Beach. I make it a daily task or indulgence to go to the beach every day, whether it be a walk on the beach, a dip in the ocean, or quiet meditation,” wrote Chelsea Poling, the founder and CEO of the online wellness boutique Rose Botanica.

Name: Sarah and Morgan Dews, their kids Tallulah and Max, and Cosmo the dog and Leroy the cat Location: Ocean Park Neighborhood — Santa Monica, California Size: 1,450 square feet Years lived in: Owned 6 years (and soon to be moving!) Sarah and Morgan are two world travelers whose paths crossed in Barcelona, Spain in 2004. Morgan, who grew up in the states between the east and west coast, fled to Spain in his twenties in search of adventure.