Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Free to stroll
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.3(245 Google reviews)
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
An open pedestrian street with shops, cafes and street performers, and a short walk down to the beach. Reviewers say it feels dated with empty storefronts. One useful detail: a reviewer reports the only public restroom is inside the Nordstrom mall, worth planning around with small children.
Pedestrian shopping street built as the Santa Monica Mall in 1965 and reborn as the Third Street Promenade after a 1989 redesign. Its signature dinosaur-shaped topiary fountains — stainless-steel and copper sculptures up to 15 feet tall, with water spouting from their mouths — light up at night alongside street performers and shops.
Good for
- Ages 10+
- Stroller-friendly
- Nap-schedule friendly
- Restrooms
- Food on-site
Happening near here
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3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Map
What visitors say
- John Ventre★★★★★
Meh. Feels dated thanks to empty stores. A nice place to stroll and shop but lacks character. Would be nice it that could add some apartments about all these single & two story building and make if feel more alive.
3 months ago
- Anton Cipriani★★★★★
It doesn’t seem to have the same gravitas as it did about twenty years ago, but it’s still a fun place to walk around, grab a bite or walk down to the beach.
3 months ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
Nearby places
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