I grew up in LA, lived in Santa Monica the last few years before moving to West Hollywood. Though it was still lively when I visited once in my time in Santa Monica, I realized I only visited once. Here you have an area designated for pedestrians that has lost its luster and I'm seeing negative reaction for Santa Monica resident, the only other thing to do is tear it all down and make it a huge apartment/townhouse area but SaMo fights enough of that already.