Santa Monica
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 2020
About the game
In Santa Monica, 2-4 players draft feature cards to build the most appealing stretch of southern California coastline, choosing between a nature-focused beach, a bustling tourist strip, or something in between. Cards chain together across your beach and street to generate victory points, rewarding players who plan combos rather than isolated picks. It's a tight, card-drafting city builder with a sunny theme and a satisfying tagging-and-chaining engine.
Hobbli's Notes
Santa Monica is a tidy little drafting puzzle: figuring out how features tag and chain together for bonus points is genuinely satisfying. The theme is light but pleasant, and low downtime keeps it moving briskly. A solid choice for people who like efficient engine-building without a huge box.
What we like
- Satisfying chaining and tagging system rewards combo-building.
- Quick 45-minute playtime with low downtime.
- Flexible strategies between beach and street development.
- Bright, appealing California theme.
Keep in mind
- Niche title with less community support than bigger releases.
- Set collection scoring may feel abstract compared to the theme.
- Limited player count caps group size at four.
Who it's for
Good for gamers (14+) in groups of 2-4 who enjoy tight drafting and tile-chaining puzzles.
