Santa Monica Place

Santa Monica Place, a mall designed by Frank Gehry

The Santa Monica audio-guided tour takes you to Santa Monica Place, an open-air shopping centre that links the lively heart of the city to the seafront. The site opened in 1980, designed by the architect Frank Gehry, well before he became world-famous.

The work of a future great architect

It is to Frank Gehry that the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao is owed, among others. In Santa Monica, his shopping centre was originally enclosed on three levels, but it fitted poorly with the outdoor atmosphere of the city. It was entirely redesigned and reopened in 2010 as a space open to the sky, better connected to the seafront and the Third Street Promenade.

What there is to see

Santa Monica Place now brings together shops, restaurants and terraces, in a bright setting open to the Californian sky. Its terrace offers a fine view over the city and the ocean. Ideally located between the beach and the pedestrian centre, it is a busy place for shopping and relaxing, a stone's throw from the Santa Monica Pier.

Practical information

Santa Monica Place is in downtown Santa Monica, near the ocean and the Third Street Promenade. The centre is widely open each day; the hours of shops and restaurants may vary. Access is on the level.

Who designed Santa Monica Place?

The centre was designed by the architect Frank Gehry, to whom the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao is also owed. It opened in 1980, then was redesigned and reopened in 2010.

What changed in 2010?

In 2010, the original enclosed centre was redesigned into a space open to the sky, better connected to the seafront and the Third Street Promenade.