This is just an outdoor mall. It is full of cheesy tourists and teenagers. I'm not entirely sure why I'm recommending it. But it's outside and three blocks from the beach — and malls are just so L.A. Almost as good, mallwise, is The Grove in the Fairfax District. The Grove's trolley, which travels the one block between the mall and the excellent nearby Farmers Market, where every single booth sells awesome food, is the only public transportation most Angelinos ever use.

• 1. Third Street Promenade
  Santa Monica, CA 90401 34.016443-118.497049 thirdstreetpromenade.com
• 2. The Grove
  189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323-900-8080 34.072943-118.356459 thegrovela.com
• 3. Farmers Market
  6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323-933-9211 34.071329-118.360105 farmersmarketla.com