STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

shopaholic · Dooney & Bourke

santa monica must sees???

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

Oh no, I hope I'm not too late to reply to this!

If you're at the Sheraton on 6th and Pico, you're literally right next to my apt. bldg! But I'm moving this weekend to be closer to work. Anyway, if that's the Sheraton you're staying at, you are on the south side of Santa Monica. The north side is nicer and has more stuff to do. But you're only a few blocks away so you're still fine. There's 3rd st. Promenade, the Pier, shopping on Montana, an awesome consignment store called "Great Labels" w/ the most amazing deals on Wilshire, Fred Segal on 5th and Broadway...let's see what else? Oh my favorite exercise spot are the public stairs on 4th, just go north until you can't go anymore, they're impossible to miss.

Have fun!

Lilykind · Hermes

hope this isn't too late!

Try putting in a search for 'santa monica' in the search function. a lot of the girls live in/near Santa Monica (my new place is within walking distance of SM, yay!) and have tons of recommendations. Most of them are still up-to-date. I love love love shopping on Montana and the 3rd St. Promenade (best assortment of chain stores in LA IMHO...when they get H&M my life will be complete and I will never venture east of the 405 freeway to shop again.)

There's a new restaurant that's getting a fair amount of hype in santa monica called 'abode'. I think it's on 2nd st near the 3rd St Promenade. I wanted to go for my birthday a couple of months ago, but never ended up going. Last year I went to BOA steakhouse on Ocean for my bday and loved it. I've also eaten at the restaurant in the Casa Del Mar hotel, which is really yummy, though a bit on the stuffy-ish old-school side (I like dining there with my father). There's an outdoor French bistro/cafe on the NW corner of Pico/Ocean (6 blocks from the Sheraton) that is TDF. I love eating breakfast/brunch there.

The south side is a lot less touristy/mall-chain ish, but probably something you could skip if you only had one day. I do like walking along Main St. and wishing I could live there (can't because it's too far from where I work). There's Urth Cafe a couple of blocks south of Pico (celeb watching spot) and Blonde is a cute boutique futher down on Main.

shopaholic · Dooney & Bourke

thanks alot ladies, but i actually just went there this weekend. its a bit too late but ill keep your suggestions in mind for my next trip. i live in vegas now so chances of me going there are pretty good. ill be sure to visit the north side next time. i really loved 3rd street promenade!