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Montana Avenue
Montana Avenue Shopping in Santa Monica
Overview: The shopping treasure on Montana Avenue is something most locals in the greater Los Angeles don’t know about. But, many of the local folks in Santa Monica and adjacent westside communities do. This is part of the charm of the shopping district of Montana Ave, an east and west street which is located in Santa Monica and a few blocks north of Wilshire Blvd between 6th and 16th streets.
That the crowds are milder than Melrose Ave and Hollywood Blvd is a plus. It keeps Montana Ave’s shopping a little fresher and a much easier place in which to move around. The exception maybe Montana Ave’s annual Sidewalk Sale in May on Saturdays. The fact that Montana Ave keeps its stores upscale with boutiques rather than having large, brand name chains combined with the privacy of the Montana Ave (the privacy comes from the lack of awareness of Montana Ave’s shopping district), draws the local stars and celebrities who live in Santa Monica to shop on Montana Ave. Christian Bale keeps a residence in Santa Monica.
So what kind of stores and restaurants are we talking about on Montana Ave? First off, even the grocery stores are higher end – Pavilions (not Vons) and Whole Foods. The elegant Williams Sonoma (1600 Montana Ave, ph: 310-586-1018) sells house and kitchen ware on Montana Ave as well as offers cooking lessons. You won’t see any common Bed, Bath and Beyond stores here. There are lots of botique stores that focus women’s apparel. Try the cute and quaint Cabana (1511-A Montana Ave, ph: 310-394-5123), the trendy Planet Blue (800 14th St at Montana Ave, ph: 310-394-0135) and Marcia Bloom (1527 Montana Ave, ph: 310-393-0985). Women’s apparel abounds on Montana Ave. There are mixed women’s and men’s stores too such as Lucky Brand (1426 Montana Ave, ph: 310-260-9524). And, Montana Ave has strictly men’s apparel stores as well.
Montana Ave offers more than women’s clothing. Matter of fact, Montana Ave offers quite a diverse selection of stores and items. For instance, at Seasons (1021A Montana Ave, ph: 310-395-1965), you’ll find hand-crafted items that are authentic, unique and international. Bling on Montana (712 Montana Ave, ph: 310-260-2848) sells classic and original vintage movie posters. The Blue House (1402 Montana Ave, ph: 310-451-2243) sells a mix of unique and upscale furniture and Rosemarie McCaffrey Antiques (1203 Montana Ave, ph: 310-395-7711) sells furniture as well in addition to antiques.
All the shopping on Montana Ave will make you hungry and maybe even a bit dizzy. Have a seat on the patio at Pete’s Coffee or the organic, The Grateful Bread (1518 Montana Ave, ph: 310-394-7178). For more substantial foods, try the Blue Plate (), have sushi at Sushi Sho Montana (1303 Montana Ave, ph: 310-451-6000), Mediterranean food at Kreation Cafe (1023 Montana Ave, ph: 310-458-4880), pricy American food and drinks at the ultra-trendy R + D Kitchen (1323 Montana Ave, ph: 310-395-3314), mixed Carinbean, American and Asian food at Babalu (1002 Montana Ave, ph: 310-395-2500) or some Tuscan Rostecceria Italian dishes at the ever popular Rosti (931 Montana Ave, ph: 310-393-3236).
Location: The shopping area on Montana Avenue between 14th and 6th streets in Santa Monica.
Website: www.montanaave.com
Email: info@visitmontanaavenue.com
Cost: $$$
Parking: There are metered parking spots along Montana Ave and residential parking spots along the sidewalks.
Accessibility: Montana Avenue and the stores and restaurants are wheelchair accessible.
Getting There: www.bigbluebus.com, www.metro.net