Santa Monica Place, Here I Come ...
by Jamee Gregory
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| Shoppers can rest, pause and study the scene in comfortable chairs placed for their convenience on each level of Santa Monica Place. |
| What's the hottest new destination in LA? Why it's Santa Monica Place, just a few blocks from the beach and a few steps from the Third Street Promenade. The first shopping center in the area, complete with valet parking, a third floor dining deck and indoor/outdoor dining spaces, it's the perfect spot for an afternoon of great shopping and grazing. From sushi to Mexican, gelato to chocolate, pizza to Asian, there's something for every eater, with charming views of the famous solar-powered Ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier, as well as of the mountains. |
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| A lovely view across the mall. Christmas trees signal the season. |
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| Shoppers stroll into Santa Monica Place from the street arcade. |  |
Giant palms soar through the interior courtyard offering shade and style as they shelter visitors. |
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| Outdoor dining with umbrella-covered tables makes this a popular destination. |
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| The third floor beckons with six restaurants. |
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| A view from the top! |
| Nothing is nicer on the rare rainy day or when it's blisteringly hot. Escalators and elevators rise at the center, ferrying visitors through three floors, each filled with attractions. On the main level a concierge can make suggestions, or visitors can find a comfortable bench to pause and take in the scene. Beautifully landscaped, green areas, palm trees, and breathtaking views make this spot a perfect place for shoppers of all ages to spend hours. A myriad of choices, from an elegant Louis Vuitton to a trendy Kitson, alongside staples like a well-stocked Nike and Juicy Couture await. A terrific Tory Burch, stocked with California-friendly styles just right for the holidays and terrific accessories like pink, orange and blue woven patent leather ballet slippers is worth a visit. A new Burberry Brit rests near a beautiful Nordstrom, with an amazing shoe department, a great children's area and a terrific bag and hosiery department. A shiny new Bloomingdales offers lots of staples, great make-up and many well-known designers. |
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| Need a new suitcase or logo bag? Louis Vuitton never disappoints. |
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| The view through Kitson Kids window straight through to the central escalators. |
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| Well-chosen temptations for trendy kids and their parents at Kitson Kids | |
Disney's enchanting store entices children and their grandparents. |
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| A view of Nordstrom's from the inner-courtyard. Nordstrom's world-famous shoe department has everything from Uggs to Manolos. |
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| Tory Burch's window on the street draws viewers in with displays of festive holiday wear, like golden blouses with bows. | |
Small leather goods, like wallets and change purses in gorgeous colors at Tory Burch make great gifts. |
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| Bold-faced stores like Bloomingdales anchor the mall, drawing well-traveled visitors. |
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| Joe's, tempting shoppers with 55
colors of jeans. |
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A peek into Juicy Couture's welcoming boutique. |
| Tiffany's sleek shop is welcoming and luxurious, its courtyard filled with tables. A store called Joe's tempts, offering jeans in 55 colors, as does Juicy Couture's outpost, offering comfortable sweats as well as trendy clothes, all perfect for the relaxed LA scene. A Disney store offers something for every little princess and prince accompanied by doting grandparents. On each level visitors can see the tranquil, sunny interior garden spaces and pause in well-designed seating spaces. Live music and concerts are often offered on the third floor, making this a popular destination for families. Shoppers peruse the markets, frozen yogurt shops and fast-food stops as well as the outdoor restaurants to take advantage of the weather and cheerful ambiance. |
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| Santa Monica place is beautifully designed with palm trees, green spaces, interior sunshine and grassy lawns. |
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| Tiffany's outpost offers everything from pens and key chains to elegant jewelry. |
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| Great window displays lure shoppers inside for yoga wear. |
| Overcoming my fear of driving, I approach the mall in my rented Volvo. What a shock to learn that the valet parking was full! Not easily deterred, since it was sunny and 74 degrees, I headed for the nearest parking, which was only a few blocks away, near the Santa Monica outdoor Farmer's Market, a nice detour. Walking towards my destination, I observed many shoppers from all over the world, including China and Japan, heading to this new spot. Inside there was no sense of crowding, as the beautifully-designed space feels full of light and very peaceful. Seating areas, each uniquely designed, allow and invite guests to pause, enjoying California sunshine. The festive atmosphere lends itself to a pleasant visit. The eclectic mix of boutiques and department stores offer something for everyone. I was thrilled to find skinny lilac J Brand jeans on sale at Nordstrom, along with Marc Jacobs's tees and baby-sized pink Uggs. |
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| Sophisticated plantings draw the attention of shoppers who appreciate the restful, soothing areas where husbands happily rest over a coffee or ice cream cone. | |
A view of Santa Monica Place from 2nd Street. |
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| The entrance to Santa Monica Place with its valet parking. |
| At Kitson Kids I couldn't resist a yellow tee-shirt with a large red ladybug. I left Tory Burch with a plum handbag on a chain. It was hard passing up the gelateria, but several hours had flown past and it was time to head for Shutters, my home away from home. |
Twitter: ShoppingDiary |
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