Third Street Promenade: Santa Monica’s Open-Air Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Hub

The Third Street Promenade is a well-known open-air shopping centre in the centre of Downtown Santa Monica, California, a few blocks away, close to the beach and the legendary Santa Monica Pier. It was established as a pedestrian mall in 1965, but was restored in 1989 and renamed the Third Street Promenade. This three-block, car-free esplanade is designed as a shopping, dining, and entertainment mecca, with a high concentration of major retailers, local boutiques, hundreds of restaurants and movie theatres, with the high-end Santa Monica Place shopping mall at the south end. The popular activities for the tourists are a large variety of spontaneous street shows (musicians, magicians, acrobats), a giant chessboard, and the Santa Monica Farmers Markets that take.

What Can You See & Do at Third Street Promenade?

Here are the seven best things to see and do at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica:

1. Shop at Trendy Retail Stores: Shop in the fashionable retail outlets, such as high-end brands like Tiffany Co. or the upscale Santa Monica Place, or boutique retailers such as Patagonia and Lululemon. There are also unique boutique shops with unique gifts. 
2. Enjoy Outdoor Dining & Food Tours: Have a fresco and food tours, patio seating spaces restaurants. The contemporary American food at 1212 Santa Monica or the farm-to-table food of The Curious Palate are also its famous dining places.
3. Catch Street Performances & Live Music: Watch the street shows and live music of various and different kinds of good and talented entertainers, including Andy Grammer, who made his debut here, and the dancers and magicians. Promenade is famous for its street scene various performers present here throughout the day. 
4. Visit the Farmers Market (Wed & Sat Mornings): Go to the farmers market, located on Arizona Avenue next to the Promenade, every Saturday and Wednesday, between 8 AM and 1 PM. It is a marketplace where local chefs and customers can find fresh, locally grown food and flowers. 
5. Watch a Movie at AMC Theatre: AMC Theatre is the place to watch a movie. You can watch the newest movie in this central place after shopping and having dinner. 
6. Explore Art Installations & Seasonal Events: Visit art installations and seasonal activities like Halloween and Christmas events. 
7. Walk to Santa Monica Beach & Pier: Take a walk to the Santa Monica Beach and Pier, which is a short walk in the Promenade. After arriving there, you can visit the pier, the Ferris wheel, and see the ocean. 

 How to Get to Third Street Promenade?

Here are the five best ways to go to  the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica:

1. By Metro: Take the Metro E (Expo) Line to the station in Downtown Santa Monica and then a short walk to the Promenade.
2. By Bus: Take a bus on the vast LA Metro bus network and other services, such as the LAX FlyAway Bus, to go to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
3. By Limo Service: Hire a private limousine service Los Angeles and have a comfortable ride. It’s the most luxurious way to travel.
4. By Car: Self-driving is a fairly cheap way to explore the city. Always follow the precautions to avoid any bad incidents.
5. By Bike/Scooter: Renting a bike or an electric scooter is the best option to visit the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica because it’s cheap and easy to park. Always avoid traffic.

What are the Best Times to Visit Third Street Promenade?

The best time to visit the Third Street Promenade is the evenings of Saturdays in the spring and in the fall, when the street performers, outdoor food, and the large crowd make up an atmosphere of a festival. When you want to do shopping and strolling with fewer people, then go on a weekday afternoon. The summer tourist numbers are less dense in the fall months (September-November), making it a good and less hectic tour. The winter season comes with the holiday atmosphere, such as the annual tree lighting.

Where to Eat at Third Street Promenade?

Here are the six best eating places at the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica:

1. The Misfit Restaurant + Bar: This restaurant and bar is located on the main Promenade, and it offers creative comfort food, hand-produced cocktails, and a well-known happy hour. It is a vibrant place that sells tasty food such as crispy chicken sandwiches and bacon-wrapped dates.
2. North Italia: It is a popular Italian restaurant, which provides hand-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas and is situated a short distance away from the Promenade in a modern and welcoming environment. 
3. Wexler’s Deli: This classic chain of delis is in Santa Monica station, which is a few minutes walk to the promenade and is reputed to have the best smoked pastrami, lox and egg creams. 
4. JINYA Ramen Bar: JINYA is on short walk from the Promenade, offers hot ramen bowls in a casual and light environment on Main Street. It serves good broth and delicious noodles.
5. Blue Bottle Coffee: This is a very trendy chain located just next to the Promenade. It sells fancy coffee, pastries, and avocado toast. It serves good quality coffee and is famous for its minimal and clean design.
6. Sweetfin: Sweetfin is a poke bowl restaurant within one block of the Promenade, which serves fresh fish and homemade sauces. It’s the best option for healthy and tasty food choices.

Is Third Street Promenade Worth Visiting?

Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a lively district that has a broad range of stores with national brands like Tiffany Co., a great variety of restaurants, and endless street performers and musicians. It comes close to the Santa Monica Pier, and the beach is its significant attraction. The visitors can embark on shopping and eating activities without any difficulty, enjoying the views and activities of the coastline. It has an AMC theatre to enjoy movies and the best restaurants like Blue Bottle Coffee and JINYA Ramen Bar for delicious food. It also has a farmers’ market to buy fresh fruits, food and flowers.