Third Street Promenade

The Third Street Promenade is a three-block pedestrian shopping street in downtown Santa Monica, California, a few blocks from Santa Monica Pier and the beach and within the greater Los Angeles area. The car-free street is lined with national chain stores, fashion and sportswear shops, bookstores, restaurants, cafes and a cinema, and it is known for its street performers, who play music, perform magic and stage acts along the length of the walkway. Unlike a boutique district, the shopping is mainstream and brand-name, so goods are authentic first-party items, and the souvenir shops near the pier end carry the tourist-oriented items. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not customary; all major cards and mobile payments are accepted, California sales tax is added at the register, and there is no general tax-refund scheme for visitors. Dining options include casual sit-down restaurants, ice cream and dessert shops, and fast-casual chains, and many have outdoor tables. The atmosphere is open-air, relaxed and tourist-friendly, with a steady flow of shoppers and beachgoers, and evenings and weekends are the busiest periods. Most stores operate from about 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. A farmers market on nearby Arizona Avenue runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, adding fresh produce and prepared food. Parking is available in several city-operated structures within a block or two of the promenade, usually with a free first period, and the Metro E Line terminates at a station nearby. Visitors can combine the walk with the pier, Palisades Park and the beach in a single outing. Street performers are generally at their liveliest on weekend afternoons.