Venturing off campus can be quite daunting for those unskilled in the navigation of Los Angeles.
Unless you’re a LA native or a transplant Angelino who has learned the magic ways of the fast-paced city, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the magnitude of things to do and places to see in LA.
To ease into the chaotic experience of exploring off campus, it’s best to start with a place that offers you everything you need in an easily accessible, close-to-campus (as close as you can get to the “island”) locale. And downtown Santa Monica is the best place to begin your long list of adventures off campus.
Feeling the need to drop a little, well-earned cash? Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is the perfect place. With a long strip of stores ranging from the designer — BCBG and GUESS are a few — to the more college friendly like Forever 21 and H&M, there is a store for you on the Promenade. There are more than 500 shops that will appeal to the shopper in everyone. Not interested in clothes? There are shoe stores, electronic and home stores, makeup stores and countless others.
What makes shopping on Third Street even better is the newly built Santa Monica Place, located at the end of Third Street closest to the delicious Café Crepe. It is full of luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton and is also home to Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
Shopping not your thing, or wallet feeling a little light? The Santa Monica Pier is famous for its fun and sun.
The pier is a great place to go with friends, especially when the weather is nice. With trapeze school, carnival games and rides, the pier offers something for everyone. If you’re looking for less of an adrenaline rush, the end of the pier makes for good fishing as well.
Both the pier and Third Street Promenade house a variety of street performers ranging anywhere from musicians to dancers and the odd gold robot man every now and then. Some performers are definitely worth watching while others desire a speedier exit stage right. Either or, downtown Santa Monica has entertainment for everyone.
Downtown Santa Monica is also known for its diverse food options. Interested in splurging a little on a meal? Head over to Il Fornaio on Ocean Avenue or BOA Steakhouse, both celebrity favorites. Looking to keep a meal on the cheaper side? Café Crepe cooks up hundreds of delicious sweet and savory crepes a day. Monsoon Café also offers a menu of delicious sushi that will be sure to keep to your budget.
If a full meal is not on the menu for the day, downtown Santa Monica has the standard Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks, Jamba Juice and Pinkberry.
To keep your outing low-key, try the beaches. With long stretches of golden sand and cool Californian waters, a day at the beach can never go wrong. Just be sure to bring sunscreen and some supplemental reading, and you’re good to go.
Downtown Santa Monica is also an exercise mecca. From long-distance runners practicing for an upcoming event, the Nike store holding exclusive runs and cyclists riding along the streets, Santa Monica brings out the athlete in everyone.
Yoga studios often hold outside yoga classes on Third Street in between the rows of shops in the mornings for those looking for a change in scenery apart from studio walls. But then again, who needs extra exercise when walking is the only form of transportation once you’ve parked your car?
Speaking of parking, with the addition of the new parking structure, parking is a tad easier. But beware the weekends. The later you go, the more difficult it may be to find parking. Plan your trip wisely.
What rounds out the amazingness that is downtown Santa Monica is its Farmers’ Market. One of the biggest Farmers’ Markets in California, the market is open Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. With a plethora of colorful fruits, veggies and flowers from local growers set on selling good products, the Farmers’ Market is a great way to stock up on goodies for campus.
Santa Monica is never a dull place. With countless things to see and do, it offers a nice change from campus. It even has a gorgeous view, just like the one Pepperdine students see every day. What could be better than that?
