Santa Monica Place

Santa Monica Place is an open-air shopping center that now connects the lively heart of the city to the seafront. The site first opened in 1980 and was designed by architect Frank Gehry, long before he became internationally renowned as the architect behind the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. At the time, it was a three-level enclosed mall, but it didn’t blend well with Santa Monica’s outdoor lifestyle and ended up interrupting the natural flow between the promenade and the ocean. Between 2008 and 2010, the entire complex was completely redesigned and transformed into a brighter, open-air space that’s much better connected to the city. The roof was removed, entrances were multiplied and pedestrian pathways were reorganized to create a true gathering place rather than just a shopping center. Today, you’ll find shops, restaurants and terraces spread across several levels, including an upper floor offering open views of the ocean and the mountains. The architecture focuses on natural light, airflow and sustainable materials, which earned it an environmental certification. It’s a great spot to do a bit of shopping before or after your trip to the beach.