Santa ___

MONICA

This California city is named after a saint and is known for its iconic pier and beach along the Pacific Coast Highway.

This clue plays on the name "Santa Monica," a famous coastal city in California. The blank suggests a first name, so "Santa" acts like a title (like "Saint"), making the answer "MONICA." It’s a clever twist because "Santa Monica" sounds like a full name, but the clue splits it to mislead solvers into thinking of something else, like "Santa Claus." The answer relies on recognizing the place name rather than a holiday figure.