Advance Notice. Santa Monica Place.

The new Santa Monica Place will be opening this Saturday, with all new shops and restaurants for Southern California.

As if there isn't enough reason to go to Santa Monica with the pier, which has free events all summer, and the 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place will have a celebration starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Among the new stores in the complex are a Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co., True Religion Brand Jeans, 7 For All Mankind, and Louis Vuitton, and a rooftop dining area.

The new Santa Monica Place is at 739 Santa Monica Place.

-- Lauren Williams

Do It. Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series with Ben Lee.

Ah, no better time or place to take advantage of the SoCal weather than in the summer and on the beach. Add in a world-famous pier and some free music, and you really can't go wrong.

And that's why the Santa Monica Pier's Twilight Dance Series is a definite to-do for those looking for a classic L.A. summer experience. The annual concert series has been around for 27 years now, and is nothing short of a great tradition that brings free fun and great music to the masses. Admittedly, the musical line-up isn't the most hip or contemporary, but there are some fun options like former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor on Aug. 19 and Beatlesfest on Aug. 26. But my pick for the summer just happens to occur tonight, as "Australia Rocks the Pier!" brings groovy acoustic popster Ben Lee to the stage. Dancing and carefree sing-alongs sure to incur.

Australia Rocks the Pier! at the Santa Monica Pier begins tonight at 7pm. Don't forget the beach chairs and blankets!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Santa Monica Pier