MAIN STREET, SANTA MONICA
In the 1870s Santa Monica and Ocean Park were seperate towns and Venice didn't exist yet. In fact before there ever was a Venice of America there was an Ocean Park, and for a short time there were two adjacent Ocean Parks. It was the southern Ocean Park that became Kinney's Venice in America project in 1904. With the start of development in the area railroads sprouted, (or perhaps it was the other way around). A line was built from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica in 1896. A line from Santa Monica south to Ocean Park followed shortly
and you could ride the rail from Ocean Park to Venice by 1901. The Ocean Park Substation, No. 40, was built in 1896, the brick building is located on Second street to this day. So, with a rail stop, soon a downtown developed and every town in those days had a Main Street. If you look closely you'll see that many of the buildings on today's Main Street are survivors of those earliest days.
But today those old buildings house retail establishments with names like Patagonia, A/x,and Betsy Johnson as well as a plethora of dining and drinking establishments. Main Street was the first area in Santa Monica to be re-developed as a upscale shopping district back in the early eighties The success of Main Street was a big story since it showed there was a demand for boutique style shops in town, something that had been doubted previously. Main Street today probably boasts more screenwriters per per Starbucks than any other street in the USA.
Santa Monica Restaurants on Main Street and there are many celebrity residents in the area. Even our state's govenor, the infamous Arnold, had a restaurant and offices on Main Street. Keep an eye out, it's entirely possible you'll run into Lindsay Lohan, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Angelica Huston or Dennis Hopper, or Lauren Hutton, all local celebrity residents.
One of the biggest local Main Street events is the weekly Sunday Farmer's Market held on the corner of Ocean Park Blvd and Main Street. While Santa Monica hosts, I think, 3 or 4 different markets in town, the one on Main Street seems to have the most casual vibe, with locals gathering for the produce and great food vendors which make it a good choice for Sunday brunch. The Santa Monica Heritage museum is on the site as well as the Victorian Restaurant. The Museum is closed on Sundays though. As usual it's best to bike or walk since parking is a bear. I understand that the city will soon be offering a bicycle valet service during the market, cool, another good reason to take the bike.
![[photo of santa monica main street]](http://amusingtimes.com/SolarGridUSA/PICTURES/paris.jpg)
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If you should happen to pick a day beside Sunday to visit don't despair, here are my picks of Santa Monica Restaurants on Main Street, offering everything from pub food to fine dining. Most establishments also offer a full bar. After dinner or lunch take a stroll down Main St. and check out the over 50 shops offering a wide assortment of unique clothing and home home decor items.
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![[restaurant on main street]](http://amusingtimes.com/SolarGridUSA/PICTURES/omelette-parlor.jpg)
