Ocean Avenue

Situated at the western front of Santa Monica, Ocean Avenue is the stretch of road that starts at Adelaide Drive and ends at Pico Boulevard. Although it is not a residential area, you may be sure to pass by a multitude of high-end condominiums, each of which offers a generous view of the Pacific Ocean. Coming to Santa Monica is a sure ticket to the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier so why should Ocean Avenue, which sits only two blocks afar, be overlooked? Especially, since it is literally the road to the beautiful Palisades Park.

Shopping & Dining

If you are going to be eating at Ocean Avenue, it is essential that you check out the specialty diners. Opened in 1977, The Albright has been handing down Korean family recipes for more than three decades now. Although the dishes are culturally far from Southern Californian in nature, the raw ingredients are local, all Santa Monica produce. There are a number of references to the beloved cartoon character, Popeye, in all corners of the restaurant but these pictures are actually in honor of Olaf Olsen, a resident seaman whose personality may have been used to bring Popeye alive in ink.

A far older institution is The Lobster, which was founded during the 1920s. If you are at a seaside area such as the Ocean Avenue, it is only fair that you be recommended to try out the most happening seafood eatery in town. Positively relish seafood served in the good old American style as you enjoy the beautiful sunset from a front seat view to the Pacific Ocean. Isn’t life swell?

There are not a lot of specialty stores in Ocean Avenue since unique product selling shops are mostly lined in Montana Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. However, there is one such store called the Poseidon Paddle and Surf that sells surfing apparels and equipment. An interesting trivia: the store’s owners were inspired to open it as a way of paying homage to their own mother, who was a local surfer heroine during her time, in the 60s.

Palisades Park

Remember the famous Santa Monica beach where lifeguards of Baywatch used to steal our hearts away in the 90s? The lush and gorgeous views of the coastal range of Pacific Ocean were also shot from this very 25-acre park. As of yet, Palisades is comprised of more than 30 different types of trees and plants, including rare ones such as Cuban Royal Palm and Red Gum.

What else makes the Palisades Park stand out among its peers? Like any conventional park, Palisades too has an abundance of picnic tables, benches and playground areas. However, it is also home to the Santa Monica Camera Obscura, which has been made accessible for the public. Take a look through the projecting table to be mesmerized by scenic pictures of the Pacific Ocean worth rivaling those in the opening credit scenes of Baywatch!

Pacific Park

Pacific Park holds a lot of records in its name in the mere 20 years it has been around. It is the city’s only absolutely free to enter park and the only such park built on a pier in the west coast of the country. Among the twelve rides available in the park, the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel is not only unique for its view of the Pacific Ocean but also for being the first ever solar-run such ride in the world.

Even if you haven’t been to the Pacific Park, you have probably seen it on television (or online, as the trend goes) because Hollywood seems to have a penchant for this specific amusement park. Or else, why would 500 films, as of yet, go through the trouble of depicting this park in their scenes? The aforementioned solar-powered ride, the Pacific Wheel, was portrayed in the Steven Spielberg movie “1941”.

This is truly the Disneyland of the West.

So, if you are a fan of the ocean, piers and amusement parks, then, Pacific Park is the place to go! Who knows, you may get to watch a new film crew shoot scenes at the park; given the statistical probability, it won’t be a surprise!

source https://santamonicaday.com/ocean-avenue/