Creativity, and prime shopping and dining, on the coast. Venice, Marina del Rey and Malibu are nearby. 

Clean air, beautiful beaches, scenic mountains, a pedestrian-friendly downtown and hundreds of fine-dining options are a few of the features that have made Santa Monica one of the most favored among L.A.-area destinations. The city teems with pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters and skateboarders. Prime spots for shopping and dining include Montana Avenue, Main Street and Third Street Promenade. Nearby Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey and Malibu have distinctive personalities—and each is well worth a visit.

Montana Avenue
Montana Avenue is one of L.A.'s hottest destinations for chic shopping. You'll find 150 shops and restaurants between 6th and 17th streets. Boutiques include the Blues Jean Bar, happening Planet Blue, Three Bags Full sweater store and Platino handbag and jewelry boutique. American Cinematheque screens movie classics and cult favorites at historic Aero Theater. Among hip dining destinations is Father's Office, a pub serving what may be L.A.'s best burger. The Spielbergs, Beattys and Hankses treat the cozy, tree-lined avenue as their main street.

Main Street
A welcome addition to Main Street is the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau Information Center (1920 Main St., 310.393.7593). In the contemporary Frank Gehry–designed Edgemar complex is the Edgemar Center for the Arts. Between Pico Boulevard and Rose Avenue are stylish galleries, salons and boutiques such as Blonde, Optical Shop of Aspen and Monkie. The elaborate Sunday farmers market is in the parking lot adjacent to the Victorian house that serves as the California Heritage Museum.

Dining options include Chinois on Main, among Wolfgang Puck's best. The Library Alehouse and Shane's make for a lively bar scene.

Third Street Shopping
Skylit Santa Monica Place offers 120 shops and is anchored by Macy's. Shops and cafes are open late at pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade (from Broadway to Wilshire Boulevard). The street entertainers are always captivating. Street vendor wares range from beaded earrings to bonsai trees. There's also a Convention and Visitors Bureau information center.

Adjacent 2nd and 4th streets, and cross streets Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, have their own draws. Find several fine-dining options on and around 4th Street, as well as two satellite locations of trendy Melrose Avenue destinations: Fred Segal on Broadway and vintage shop Wasteland.

Parking in the eight structures along 2nd and 4th streets is free for two hours during the day; a $3 flat rate applies after 6 p.m. Happy hour at Houston's, on Wilshire Boulevard at 2nd Street, is a scene; nearby Renee's bar is a neighborhood gem.

Coasting
The Pacific Coast Bicentennial Bike Route picks up on Ocean Avenue at the city's northern border, continues west on Bay Street and south on Barnard Way. Palisades Park overlooks the ocean along Ocean Avenue and the Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909. Rides at Pacific Park, an amusement park on the pier, include a roller coaster, giant Ferris wheel and bumper cars. At The Lobster restaurant, the pier is the view.

Art Aboard
Bergamot Station is an industrial, campus-like arts complex named for the trolley stop that occupied the grounds in the late 1800s. It's home to the Santa Monica Museum of Art, 33 galleries, shops and an outdoor cafe.

Venice
The eclectic spirit of Venice founder Abbot Kinney lives on.

Equator Books, exquisite Jin Patisserie and boutiques such as Principessa are the draw on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, as are hip restaurants and bars including Hal's, Wabi-Sabi, Joe's and The Otheroom. Ocean Front Walk is awash with colorful humanity: street musicians, in-line skaters in thongs and T-shirt vendors. Mr. Universe wannabes hang at Muscle Beach near 18th Street.

Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey boasts the largest man-made, small-craft harbor in the world. Enjoy recreational options from beach volleyball and bicycling to sailing and sport-fishing. New England–inspired Fisherman's Village hosts jazz concerts on Sunday afternoons.

The beach community of Playa del Rey is the last vestige of civilization before Vista del Mar turns south for the half-dozen scenic miles to Manhattan Beach.

Malibu and the North
The fabled spot where Gidget once hung out is a 27-mile stretch of coastal vistas and cliffs boasting some of the most expensive real estate in the L.A. area; celebrity residents include Bob Dylan, Wolfgang Puck and Britney Spears. Find impressive views at restaurants along Pacific Coast Highway, including Gladstone's, Geoffrey's and Duke's. Adjacent to the Malibu Lagoon and Bird Sanctuary, the Adamson House is filled with historic tile.

The Getty Villa, the Getty Center's Malibu counterpart, reopened in 2006. The villa has been a magnet for splendor seekers since J. Paul Getty, inspired by a Julius Caesar–era retreat, built it in the 1970s and filled it with Greco-Roman antiquities. Reservations required.

Just north on PCH, follow scenic Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the hippie enclave of Topanga for gift stores and earth-conscious dining exemplified by the Inn of the Seventh Ray, offering views of Topanga Creek. Also creekside is Abuelitas Mexican restaurant, which has a happening bar. Pine Tree Circle center offers clothing and gift shops, galleries, cafes and a yoga studio.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers activities including hiking, horseback riding and bird-watching. Destinations include Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades and Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas.

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