Downtown Santa Monica

Downtown Santa Monica sits just blocks from the pier and the Third Street Promenade, the pedestrian shopping strip that draws crowds from across Los Angeles - its bar scene serves both beachgoers and shoppers. BarFinder counts 30 venues, led by classic bars with sports bars, pubs, lounges, and gastropubs rounding things out. The Daily Pint and Ashland Hill fit a scene that's more neighborhood-casual than flashy, despite the area's tourist traffic. Worth pairing with a walk along the pier.