SANTA MONICA PLACE Santa Monica Place reopened in 2010 after an extensive remodel as a three-story, entirely outdoor shopping mecca, located just two blocks from the beach and steps away from the famous Third Street Promenade. The Pace was inspired by Santa Monica itself – sunny open spaces, ocean breezes, and an airy central plaza. Anchored by Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, Santa Monica Place also features a wide range of luxury and specialty shops such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Emporio Armani, and more. A third floor rooftop deck features gorgeous ocean views and an entire floor of dining.
MAIN STREET Santa Monica’ s Main Street has long had a very local, surfer vibe to it and that continues with its shopping offerings. Even if you’ re not a surfer or skater, a must-stop is at ZJ Boarding House, which is considered Santa Monica’ s original skate and surf shop. Just down the street is Angel City Bookstore, featuring an impressive collection of vintage and rare books and vinyl. Another uniquely local spot, Mindfulnest, largely features locally made art, sculptures, jewelry, gifts, and accessories. While many people know about the Downtown Santa Monica farmers’ market, Main Street has its own, more intimate farmers’ market every Sunday morning.
MONTANA AVENUE An ideal spot for leisurely Santa Monica shopping is Montana Avenue, the heart of a vibrant residential neighborhood just off Ocean Avenue. The shops and cafes begin at 7th Street and continue for 10 blocks to 17th Street. As you stroll along the tree-lined street, check out fashion boutiques and specialty stores such as Splendid, Kiehl’ s Since 1851, Benefit Cosmetics and Planet Blue. Here, too, there are a number of uniquely Californian, Santa Monica shops, such as Limonaia, featuring unique gifts and accessories from around the world. In between that shopping, curb your appetite with something sweet from Sweet Lady Jane, which has been serving Santa Monica’ s sweet tooth for more than two decades.