In the heart of downtown Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the beach, is Third Street Promenade—a premiere shopping and eating destination on the west side of Los Angeles. Simply referred to as "The Promenade" by many, its roots date back to the 1960s when three blocks were converted into a pedestrian street. Today those three blocks culminate in an outdoor mall designed by architect Frank Gehry. But the fun doesn't stop there. Many more dining and shopping options can be found on surrounding streets throughout the downtown area.Parking and public transportation at Third Street PromenadeParking structures line 2nd and 4th streets on either side of The Promenade. Rates are pretty reasonable considering you're near the beach, and can be found on the downtown Santa Monica website. Valet parking is available at the Santa Monica Place mall at Third and Colorado, and meters are available along Ocean Ave. and around downtown. Check signs for restrictions and mind your time limit at the meters as parking police are in full force. The Santa Monica Big Blue Bus is cheap and easy to use with many lines going to The Promenade. Visit their website for routes, which service the greater Los Angeles area.Best and worst time go to Third Street PromenadeSummers and weekends are naturally the busiest, being near the beach and all. June is often gloomy in Santa Monica (we call it June gloom) so July-September are the best months weather-wise. But this is LA, and you are likely to have a handful of 80-degree days during the winter as well—just not nearly as many. Weekends boast a larger selection of street performers during the day and evening. It's where Naia Kete, 2012 contestant on "The Voice", got her start. The name of her album? Appropriately titled Third Street. The performers- from singers to dancers to magicians- are generally of a higher caliber than you'd find elsewhere and are actually worth watching. Tips are always appreciated.Must see/do at Third Street PromenadeChain retailers rule here, so if you're looking for boutique shopping, head to Main Street instead. Bloomingdales and Nordstrom anchor the Santa Monica Place mall, and large outposts like the Apple Store, Lululemon Flagship and a three-story Banana Republic are also on-hand. For quintessential LA, visit Kitson at Santa Monica Place and mini department store Fred Segal just two blocks away on 5th street. Both are trendy shopping institutions. Border Grill on 4th Street is a famous upscale Mexican restaurant from Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger, and The Misfit has delicious small plates (and an amazing happy hour), but prepare for a wait to then be packed in like sardines. Many restaurants have alfresco dining, but Sonoma Wine Garden at Santa Monica Place wins for best outdoor space. For an incredible burlesque show with a speakeasy vibe, check out The Toledo Show at Harvelle's every Sunday night. It's a must-see.Other places to visit near Third Street PromenadeThere is a stretch of grass that runs along Ocean Blvd. just a few blocks from The Promenade. Take a stroll with a view of the Pacific just below. If you want to walk ON the beach, take the stairs down from the pier. It's only a mile between the Santa Monica Pier and the Venice Boardwalk so head south and enjoy! Just be careful of bicycles and roller blades. The pier itself is a worthy yet hokey destination, complete with funnel cake and a ferris wheel. On Thursday nights during the summer, join the locals for Twilight Concerts. They're free from 7-10. Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and cop a squat on the sand. Just note that parking becomes next to impossible so arrive very early.Insider tip for visitors to Third Street PromenadeThe Downtown Santa Monica Farmer's Market is held every Wednesday and Saturday and is one of the best in the country according to Travel + Leisure magazine. The Wednesday market is where you'll see many LA chefs buying up produce from local farmers. Find it on Arizona St. between 2nd and 4th from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.Author's bio: Shelley Graner is a Los Angeles native, food lover and travel writer who has visited more than 30 countries. She writes for various travel blogs, including her own.