Third Street Promenade

Los Angeles, California Travel Guide

About     Know the Neighborhoods     Getting Around     Attractions     Hotels    
Eats & Nightlife     Essentials & Practicals

Third Street Promenade

Overview: There is no other place in Los Angeles like the Third Street Promenade. It’s the mecca of shopping and entertainment. Even the former California “govenator,” Arnold Schwarzenegger, has come by with his entourage. The three block Third Street Promenade is ideally located in Santa Monica’s downtown area on 3rd Street between Wilshire Blvd at the north and Broadway at the south. 3rd Street is three blocks just west of the Pacific Ocean – specifically Santa Monica Beach. At the south end at Broadway is the indoor Santa Monica mall.

Locals refer to the Third Street Promenade as “Third Street” or the “Promenade.” It’s one of those rare places where almost every sort of activity can be found in one location. The Promenade offers first and foremost, a pedestrian only walkways for the three blocks. The cost is FREE. Sidewalks are nice paved and clean on either side. Between the sidewalks are flat bricks, open areas and islands with free standing vendors. And, lined along the sidewalks are retails shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, movie theatres and even live stage theaters.

Aside from just hanging out, Shopping is the main attraction of the Third Street Promenade. Every store you can think of exists here. Some brand name stores such as A|X Armani Exchange, PumaM, Adidas, Aldo, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Fred Segal, United Colors of Benetton and a whole lot more co-habitat with each other. Stores with more of a niche do exist. Anthropology and Lululemon Athletica are just a couple of strong examples with die-hard shopping fans.

This famous international tourist destination offers pretty much whatever you’re looking for. You can either grab a coffee at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and just relax on one of the benches or on the curb of the sidewalk and take in the sun and the ocean breeze and people watch. People watching is pretty much the order of the day there in between the shoppign and the movies.

The Promenade has a couple of large movie theatres. There’s the AMC Theatres and the Mann Theatres close to each other. On 2nd Street is the Laemmle Theatre where more independent movies play.

Perhaps you want to see a live performance? Well, you have a couple of options. The first is the free shows that occur daily and throughout the day in the middle of the walking area. Third Street is famous for its live acts in the center of the promenade. Random, amateur performers appear and put on all kinds of acts. There are singers, dancers, groups of dancers, acrobats, jugglers and much more.

Still in the mood for live entertainment? The second option for live performances are the theaters. Check out the Promenade Playhouse & Conservatory or the Piero Dusa Acting Studio. Just a block east on 4th Street are a few other stages such as the Santa Monica Playhouse.

How about some drinks and maybe getting down a little at a club? There’s Ma’Kai on Broadway (101 Broadway, ph: 310-434-1511), Zanzibar on 5th St (1301 5th St, 310-451-2221) just to name a couple. On Third St, you’ll find popular bars like Barney’s Beanery, the popular sports and billiards bar, Yankee Doodle. Check out the website, www.thirdstreetpromenade.com, for a complete listing.

Make sure to fill your stomachs up before the liquor flows through with some good grub. The dining options on and around the Promenade are enormous. There are some standouts though. Let’s start with Mexican food. Wahoo’s Fish Taco (4th and Wilshire at 418 Wilshire Blvd, ph: 310-393-9125) is the best among all the Mexican restaurants in the area (in my humble opinion). Order an asada fajita or burrito or a fish taco plate. You get huge, tasty servings for minimal cost. The place is a legend. Then there’s Cabo Cantina (1240 Third Street Promenade, ph: 310-587-0755) on the island in the middle of the Promenade. There are a few others that are more upscale in the area such as Border Grill and Baja Buds.

Asian food reigns supreme at the Promenade. There are the popular franchises such as P.F. Chang’s (326 Wilshire Blvd, ph: 310-395-1912) and Sushi Roku (1401 Ocean Ave, ph: 310-458-4771) and Benihana (1447 Fourth Street, ph: 310-260-1423). For a bit of local treats, make your way over to hip Monsoon Cafe (1212 Third Street Promenade, ph: 310-576-9996), the delicious Asian fusion of Yangtze (1333 Third Street Promenade, ph: 310-260-1994) and of course, the creative and fantastic but pricy Buddha’s Belly (205 Broadway, ph: 310-458-2500). These only scratch the surface of the restaurants that serve Asian food.

Of course the Promenade offers much more than Mexican and Asian food. Have some pizza or pasta at Stefanos (1310 Third Street Promenade) and Bravo Cucina (1319 Third St Promenade). You can always enjoy American fare at Johnny Rockets (322A Third Street Promenade), Barney’s Beanery (1351 Third Street Promenade), Broadway Deli (1457 Third Street Promenade), Hooter’s (321 Santa Monica Blvd) or make your way to the food court where you’ll find Wolfgang Puck Express (1315 Third Street Promenade) and others.

Location: The Third Street Promenade takes place on 3rd St in Santa Monica and goes west to east. From the west, the Third Street Promenade begins at Broadway – just past the indoor mall – and ends a few blocks east at Wilshire Blvd.

For a Map and more information, check out the website www.thirdstreetpromenade.org or contact the Santa Monica Visitor Center at 1920 Main Street, Suite B, 310-319-6263

Parking: Parking cost is reasonable at the Promenade. There are 7 parking structures located on either side of the Third Street Promenade. From 8am to 5:59pm, the first 2 hours are Free with a charge of $1 per every 30 min afterwards. There’s a $7 maximum charge. At 6pm and after, there’s a $3 flat rate.

Besides the covered parking structures, the area has tons of metered parking spots along the streets. So, if you’re planning on hitting the beach sometime during the day, parking on Ocean or 2nd Street. Or, just park in the structure for $7 all day.

Note that a Handicap Placard will allow you to park for free in any parking structure and metered parking spots.

Accessibility: The Third Street Promenade and surrounding areas are wheelchair accessible.

Getting There: www.bigbluebus.com, http://www.culvercity.org/bus/bus.asp, www.metro.net