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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » Los Angeles
Third Street Promenade
For tourists of Santa Monica with a taste for shopping, the Third Street Promenade is considered one the best destinations in the area, with its pedestrian pathways and, of course, the luxury of the warm California climate to keep shoppers in the walking mood. The Third Street area has been a prominent retail and business district since Santa Monica was founded in the late 1800s. The Promenade itself dates to the 1960s with the development of the Santa Monica Mall. However, this area fell into decline in the late 70s until its renovation and complete reimagining in the 80s, which turned it into the area it is today. A word of forewarning, however: the area is still a prominent place of stay for area homeless.
Shops and establishments on the Promenade include the Starbucks Hear Music Coffeehouse, three separate movie theaters, and a farmer’s market. Anthropologie, Borders, Barnes & Noble, The Gap, and Pottery Barn all have retail stores here as well. The area is outdoors, but it is not an outlet mall, per se. The stores have regular retail prices and products and some rather upscale shops for the wealthier visitors.
In addition to shopping, the Promenade is also home to a number of street performers and entertainers. These performers will not hesitate to make the audience part of the show, so shy types may with to view these attractions from the back of the crowd. These performers particularly come out to play in the summer, especially on Saturday nights, when guitarists, singers, magicians, dancers, and many other artists from all walks of life line up and down Third Street and perform for the masses.
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