Montana Avenue - Santa Monica, California - Ten Blocks of Fashionable Shopping

"A Store for Everyone'' might be a good catchphrase for Santa Monica's noteworthy Montana Avenue, which bills itself as "A Westside Story.'' Both sides of this fashionable ten-block street are jam-packed with retailers, offering every type of item imaginable, from the most commonplace household goods and to world-class apparel and accessories.

Montana Avenue is certainly well known among Angelenos, who flock the corridor on weekends hunting for bargains and trying to sight Hollywood celebrities on a spree. The boutiques are an eclectic mix of California independents and international brands, offering products ranging from the luxurious to the mundane. What blends them all together, however, is an incredibly high degree of personal attention - what's been called "high-touch service and individualistic style,'' creating a mom-and-pop shopping atmosphere rarely seen in other major retail centers.

What is sold here runs the gamut of all categories, from acupuncture and antiques to furs and frozen yogurt. There are shops offering furniture, rugs, crafts, needlepoint, knitting, folk art, and interior design. There are bakeries, florists, cleaners, tailors, markets, pharmacies, opticians, stationers, and shoe repair shops. Pet care products, medical supplies, and photo services? But of course. And banks, real estate, bath and beauty supplies, clocks, coffees, teas, gifts, home accessories, and so much more.

Among the many famous buildings on Montana Avenue, the Aero Theatre at 1328 is a landmark. It was built in 1939 by Donald Douglas, the aircraft maker, as a recreational facility for his workers during World War II. In those days the aircraft plant was operating 24/7 and so was the theatre, with movies shown continuously day and night. Today, the Aero is one of the few single-screen neighborhood theaters remaining in the Los Angeles area.

Other locations of note are the Montana Branch of the public library at 1704 and the Pavillion's Place Market at 804. The Duck Blind wine store at 1102 has been a local fixture for 35 years, offering champagne, liquor, beer and cigars in addition to domestic and imported wines. Also of interest is the Jason Vass Gallery at 712, which specializes in Latin American fine art, "Bling on Montana,'' and original vintage posters spanning the 20th century, from products, politics, and music to movies.

Hair and nail salons, massage parlors, health and fitness centers, and maternity shops - they are all here - as are gift shops, bookstores, music/video shops, and toy stores. The greatest proliferation of retailers is in the women's apparel category, with dozens of shops in competition. Men's wear and children's wear is also well represented, as are shoe stores, jewelry shops, and unisex clothiers.

A wide variety of culinary delights are available on Montana Avenue - more than 20 restaurants, cafys and pubs to choose from. Try American cuisine for breakfast, Cuban for lunch, and Japanese for dinner. Or simply follow your nose to Patty's Presto Pizza, Pradeep's Indian Cuisine, Rosti, Spumoni Restaurant, Le Marmiton....

Every year, Montana Avenue holds a special "Tax Free Day'' the Saturday on or before April 15th. There is an annual "Sidewalk Sale'' from 10am to 6pm on the third Saturday of May. And each December on the first Friday, the "Holiday Walk'' attracts crowds from 5pm to 9pm. Special store events also occur throughout the year.

Montana Avenue is baby and pet friendly. Most retail outlets are open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 11am till 6pm on weekends. Those coming on the I-10 Freeway West should take the Lincoln Boulevard Exit and turn right to Montana. Metered parking is available all along the street, and unmetered parking can be found on adjacent side streets.