For business, entertainment and shopping, downtown Santa Monica draws locals and world travelers, and no place in the heart of the city is more popular than the area known as the Third Street Promenade. It extends for three blocks along Third Street between Wilshire Boulevard at the north end and Broadway and Santa Monica Place mall at the south. Here is where visitors find excellent dining, great shopping and lively street performers, along with special events, such as the weekly farmers' markets.
In total, there are more than 60 stores and 25 restaurants flanking the Third Street Promenade. The area is part of the Bayside District, which also includes the merchants on Second and Fourth streets between Wilshire and Broadway. Originally, this area was a regular street with automobile traffic, but Third Street was converted in 1965 into one of nation's very first pedestrian malls.
In 1988~1989, funded by a $13 million public bond issue, the Promenade was revitalized. Additional private investment poured some $500 million into renewal, under the guidance of a public-private management company known as the Bayside District Corporation (BDC), which oversees not only this area but also the city's entire Central Business District.
The BDC's mission is to "promote the economic stability, growth and community life within the Bayside District through responsible planning, development, management and coordination of programs, projects and services designed to benefit the community as a whole, which includes the District's business, property owners, visitors and residents.''
The result is a fascinating area that contributes greatly to the economic vitality of Santa Monica. The Third Street Promenade has also won numerous awards and citations for real estate development, land use, urban design, and downtown excellence.
Shopping is one of the big attractions here. Independent retailers offer goods under the categories of bookstores and newsstands, children's clothing and toys, clothing, electronics, music and photography, gifts and stationery, groceries and sundries, home and office furnishings, jewelry, watches and accessories, pets, and shoes. There are also curbside vending carts and the weekly Downtown Farmers' Market on Wednesdays between 8:30am and 1:30pm.
The area's restaurants and coffeehouses provide not only good food, but also great venues for people watching. Many offer al fresco seating. Among the many cuisines available here are American, British, Chinese, French, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese and Mexican. There are places to enjoy seafood, steaks, healthy vegetarian dishes, desserts and snacks.
In addition to shopping and dining, the Third Street Promenade has numerous entertainment options. There are no fewer than four cinemas here showing everything from first-run blockbusters to indie and foreign films. Six different live theater venues are located in the area for comedy, magic and concerts, complemented by an array of talented street artists, musicians and performers outside. A doll museum, several art galleries, special events, and plenty of bars, clubs, and pubs round out the entertainment scene.
Services in the area include automotive, banking and financial, business services, education, personal services, real estate, spiritual organizations, and social organizations. Beauty and fitness opportunities include hair and nail salons, spas and massage parlors, health and beauty products, and wellness consultants. For accommodations, the art deco Georgian Hotel is just two minutes away on Ocean Avenue.
From Los Angeles International Airport, the Third Street Promenade can be reached by taking the I-405 Freeway North to the I-10 Santa Monica Freeway West, exiting north at Fifth Street. Take a left (west) on Arizona Avenue and continue to Third Street.
Public parking structures are located on Second and Fourth streets. The first two hours of parking are free, and the cost is $1 for each half hour thereafter. Public restrooms are also available within the public parking structures.
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