Has 3rd Street Promenade lost most of it's appeal to locals? (Santa Barbara: live, marketplace)

[SpaceMonkyPunks]

3rd street is ok...the crowds of tourists can be slightly annoying during the day but it seems to die down later. It's a good place to grab some drinks later in the evening, though the prices at most of the bars/restaurants are really unforgiving.

What I really dislike, though, are the "performers" if you can even call them that...sorry to say but it's true. They are boring, obnoxiously loud, and not at all pleasant to listen to or watch 9 times out of 10. I'd take the quiet homeless panhandlers over a meth-addict in a clown costume expecting tips for air-guitar-ing all day long.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by jaminhealth

The 3rd St still has a smaller town feeling. I came to SM over 50 yrs ago before promenade for sure, I loved it when I arrived. I'm older for sure and stay home a lot, HATE crowds and pushing/shoving of it all. Even my adult daughter and her teens are tired of it, the noise of it all. 15 yr old talks about moving to Maui after college...we'll see if that happens.

Wow, must of been quite something to see SM over 50 years ago
I know an older couple about 80 years old and they mentioned going to SM back in the day and how it was different. They can also remember when the Valley was farmland.

Maui is nice, quite a bit different from L.A . I could see getting 'island fever' maybe even though it's a really nice place. In SM even if you get bored of SM you can go to some of the neighboring areas in SoCal.

[Finper]

I lived in SM in the early 70's as a young kid. 3rd St was a dumpy mall near Sears with the Anchor store being Wolworths. I don't recall seeing any homeless and there was little traffic it was a nice quiet seaside town. The pier was sketchy though. It's a lot more fun and interesting as the Promenade.. I can't believe those shop rents though! Holy cow

[Big-Bucks]

Parking is a nightmare in that area. I haven't been to the 3rd street promenade in like 10 years and I live in the area. Haven't been there since they closed for remodeling.

[jm1982]

The good thing is there are quite a few parking structures and they have 90 minutes free or at least some do.

[Nafster]

Oy... 3rd Street Promenade.

Santa Monica is amazing but I avoid the touristy areas like the plague. I love Hermosa Beach and its Promenade. It is beautiful, vibrant, full of locals playing volleyball, and has amazing restaurants.

[SUPbud]

I had a series of "bad dates" with 3 diff women in and around the 3rd Street Promenade a few years back. I decided the area was cursed and I've never been back.

[annonymous0381]

Things change and don't stay the same. Back in the mid to late 90s 3rd Street was a mix of chain stores and indie stores not found elsewhere. Know 3rd Street and santa monica placebis filled with chain stores that are in every mall. The grove took away alot of 3rd streets local customers. The restuarants at 3rd Street and santa monica place are chains like cheesecake factory, pf changs and california pizza kitchen.

[adr3naline]

OP I was also on the Promenade on Saturday, and my wife and I had the same thoughts. There are only a few unique stores and the rest appear to be flagships for the box boxer's. Don't get me wrong, the people watching is great and there are a few good shops to peruse...but it's more of a one-and-done type of experience.

[MItoBH]

Every time I visit LA I stay in the VB/SM area and I visit the 3rd St. Promenade. I reckon based on the crazy rents, ONLY chain stores can afford to be there. That sucks as it's a prime area for unique and original stores and vendors.