| The Santa Monica Freeway first opened in 1964 and | | | | transportation numbers. |
| has since become one of the busiest freeways in the | | | | The Douglas Aircraft Company, which purchased the |
| entire world. This high traffic is due to the integral | | | | airport in 1922, employed up to 44,000 employees |
| part that the freeway plays in providing accessibility | | | | during its peak years, which required the construction |
| to Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Diego, and many | | | | of housing for employees, as well as a rezoning of |
| points in between. | | | | the perimeter of the airport to accommodate this |
| The freeway, which is legally defined as the | | | | residential housing influx. The Douglas Air Craft |
| westernmost segment of Interstate 10, begins at | | | | company was responsible for testing and building |
| the western terminus of I-10 at the Pacific Coast | | | | both the A 20 Havoc and A 26 Marauder, as well as |
| Highway, and ends at the famed East Los Angeles | | | | the well known B 19. |
| Interchange. The I-10 Freeway branches off from | | | | Many events are hosted at the Santa Monica airport, |
| that point and continues as the San Bernardino | | | | including the Barney Warehouse sale, the Macys |
| Freeway. | | | | Dream American Express Passport Fundraiser, Dream |
| This freeway has been featured in many films and | | | | Halloween and PAL Halloween events, The LA Arts |
| referenced in many songs and other areas of current | | | | Show, Devine Design, and the LA Antique show. In |
| pop culture, and continues to serve many commuters | | | | addition, the annual Asian Nights and the New Years |
| and travelers alike, connecting them to prime | | | | Celebration take place at the Typhoon and the |
| Southern California destinations as well as points | | | | Hump, the airports on site restaurants. Many local |
| beyond. | | | | school groups frequently visit the airport to get a |
| The Santa Monica Airport holds the distinction of | | | | firsthand look at the aviation industry as well. |
| being the oldest operating airport in Los Angeles | | | | Today, the Santa Monica airport is one of the busiest |
| County. The earliest records indicate the flights from | | | | in the country, and contains a Santa Monica Aviation |
| this location took place as early as WWI, when | | | | History Museum onsite, which is currently under |
| biplane pilots utilized the then informal grass landing | | | | remodel and is scheduled to reopen sometime in early |
| site known as Clover Field as a take off point. Things | | | | 2008 and is expected to draw in even more visitors |
| have definitely changed since those days, aviation | | | | to the historic site. |
| has come a long way in both technology and raw | | | | |