A ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday inaugurated Santa Monica’s new Tour Bus Loading and Unloading Zone, which allows tour companies to drop visitors in the heart of Downtown at the intersection of the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place.
Misty Kerns, president of the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the goal is to always improve access to the community for visitors.
“More will come, we hope,” Kerns said.
The new zone was an effort to replace the original zone, which was demolished along with the old Santa Monica Place mall.
Kathleen Rawson, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., noted at the ceremony that the zone was a step in the right direction for improving mass transit and eco-friendly sensibilities.
“We love our tourists, and we’re so excited that we have more and better access to Downtown Santa Monica,” Rawson said.
