Monday, August 9, 2010

Santa Monica Place Opens


It seemed like everyone in L.A. was there on Sunday.



La Sandia


Sonoma Wine Garden


Handbag section of Bloomingdale's

more handbags

After much waiting and anticipation (as I mentioned here), Santa Monica Place finally opened on Friday! Aside from the crowds and additional traffic in my neighborhood (I live just a few blocks away), I couldn't be happier. I went to the Bloomingdale's Insider opening on Thursday evening and then to the rest of the mall on Sunday. The architecture is gorgeous, the layout creative, and the views from the rooftop dining deck are unbelievable! Gabe and I have often wondered why there aren't many restaurants in Santa Monica with ocean views and/or outdoor patios and this has both. The Bloomingdale's was on the smaller side, but had all the essentials, including an amazing handbag section. I enjoyed exploring the new mall (CB2, Michael Kors, Kitson, BCBG, Coach, etc.) and was delighted to be able to walk there! Gabe was at work when I visited the center, so I decided to wait for him to eat nachos on the La Sandia patio. Rest assured that we'll be back very soon for the nachos and the Sonoma Wine Garden. If you live in Los Angeles, I strongly recommend checking it out.

39 comments:

annelise said...

It looks absolutely massive... and slightly terrifying! I get a bit overwhelmed by shopping malls. The crowds, the lack of windows, the amount of shops! I'm a crap shopper, I wouldn't last two minutes in there! :)

Anonymous said...

Looks like it has a lot of good stuff!

Erica said...

Wow it looks pretty huge!

STYLE'N said...

Valerie-hmmm ok these are awesome pictures and next time I am in LA I will check this place out BUT the real question is what goodies did you pick up while you were there?
naina

Oh, My Darling said...

Oooh, this sounds pretty epic.

Nikki said...

Shopping & Cocktails are the best combination. Looks like such a good time!!


xx
Nikki

Gina said...

im leaving for la on sat, i can't wait to check this out!!

Lindsay said...

Oh my gosh so glad you checked it out! Was it everything you expected? I have to get over there! :) Hope you had a great weekend!

Lisa Griffin said...

this looks like a shopping amusement park with fab restaurants too fun!!
www.indramaticfashion.com

California Wife said...

This sounds like another LA destination I need to add to me "must visit" list!!!

Gabriel said...

NACHOS!! I'm ready lets go!

Unknown said...

next time i'm in town, it's a must-try!

xx
anna jane

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

Yay to new malls!

Anna Walker said...

How exciting! I can't wait to go :) I was just in that area this weekend actually...But it looks like there were way, way too many people for me to handle!

Marcie said...

That looks amazing and how lucky that you only live a few blocks away! Is that the 2nd Kitson in LA now? I remember liking that store but having to battle Robertson wasn't fun.

xo M

Jules said...

It looks fabulous and I would love to visit the wine garden! How fun!! Look at all of those delicious handbags at Bloomingdale’s ;) It would be dangerous for me to live as close as you do to the new shopping center.

Same Sweet Girl: Memoir of a Southern Belle said...

That place looks AMAZING!!! Wish I lived close enough to visit!

ari said...

HELLO! thanks so much for sharing the pics and the downlow ;)
I actually wanted to go there and check it out on sun (yesterday) but I think I might wait a little bit for the excitement and grand opening crowds to die down. It looks amazing! Now I am def excited to check out la sandia.. and I will be trying the nachos.
xoxo
ari

Anonymous said...

Sonoma wine garden? Sounds lovely!

Annie said...

Sonoma Wine Garden!! shopping + wine = 2 of my favorite things :)

Diana Mieczan said...

That looks like a perfect spot...I love it!!! Wine garden? I am so in...:)

Hugs and kisses,sweetie

Chrystie said...

oh my gosh that mall looks amazing!! I wish I lived in LA, there's so much to do there!

www.anchoringgemini.blogspot.com

Jess said...

Looks gorgeous! And I just got done blogging about an item from Kitson...

xo

shopgirl said...

Thanks for your lovely comments Valerie. It has been a long time since I've been to Santa Monica, but from what I remember, it was a cool place then too.

Wishing you a fab week!

k said...

it definitely looks like it would be worth a visit if i were ever in the area :)

Gorgeous Glam said...

thanks for sharing your pics! the wine garden sounds like fun!! xoxo

this free bird said...

Valerie this looks like mayhem on the beachside!! ooooooohhhhhhh those handbags!!!

The place looks so huge, but man oh man is it something Santa Monica needed or what. We share your same sentiments re: restaurants, etc. I'm thinking a visit is in order...do you think it'll be swamped indefinitely? yikes.

xoxo,
carrie

She Wore It Well said...

Wow looks so busy and so lovely to visit in the sunshine

x

Josie said...

I am more ridiculously jealous than I can even begin to describe! It looks gorgeous!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

hiyaluv said...

wow! it looks amazing! they have been building it for quite some time...last time i was in la it was a bunch of blocks! it looks gorgeous!
smiles,
gina

tara said...

wow that looks amazing!!!

Elle Sees said...

Argh! I wanna be there nowwww! I miss the 3rd St Promenade.
I'll be in CA for my bday so I must stop by this!

J. said...

wow that looks awesome!! You could just leave me there for a day and I would be the happiest girl in the world haha.

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Wow it looks amazing! I need to get my booty over to the West Side to check this baby out =)

Bren said...

I love the dining deck! :) Can't wait to check out all of the bags at Bloomies, even though I really shouldn't do that to myself. I have a problem with bags. ;) Hopefully it will be less crowded during the week.

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

Joie de Viv said...

Ahh! I miss hanging out in S.M. My hubby refuses to deal with parking and driving down there, although I don't think it's too bad. How divine that it's walking distance to you!

xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com

torrie said...

How fun!!!!
I can't wait to go:).

Catita said...

woow! miss North American malls...moment of nostalgia...heheh!

haircutting in high heels said...

Thank you for the update another reason to travel to SM not just to ride my bike and have a delicious salad at "Back at the Beach, have you been?
Super cool info,
Gina