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Starbucks with Outdoor Seating in Santa Monica, California

2 Starbucks in Santa Monica with patios, sidewalk tables, or plaza seating — pet-friendly options for warm weather.

Matching

2

of 12 stores (17%)

Avg outlets

19

peak: 24

Wi-Fi range

7575

Mbps (estimated)

City coverage

12

total Santa Monica Starbucks

Quick Answer

There are 2 outdoor seating Starbucks locations in Santa Monica, California17% of all 12 stores in the city. The top-ranked pick is at 701 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90403.

Outdoor seating is a separate feature tag in OpenStreetMap. It includes sidewalk tables, dedicated patios, and plaza seating — pet-friendly by default in most markets.

updateLast updated · Data from OpenStreetMap + Starbucks store metadata
schedule

Best time to visit

Mid-morning (10 AM–11:30 AM) in spring or fall is the sweet spot — warm enough, quiet enough, and shade usually still covers the patio.

What to Expect from Outdoor Seating Starbucks in Santa Monica

2 of Santa Monica's 12 Starbucks stores — 17% — have some form of outdoor seating. The definition is broad: it ranges from two sidewalk tables outside a narrow urban café to a full 30-seat plaza at a flagship mall anchor. Expect variation in shade, seating comfort, and whether the patio has outlets (most do not).

Patios are pet-friendly at essentially every U.S. company-operated Starbucks. Baristas will offer a free "Puppuccino" — a small cup of whipped cream — for any dog you bring. Water bowls are kept at the counter; just ask. If you are traveling with a dog, the patio is generally more welcoming than the café interior.

Seasonal caveats matter. Patios in Seattle, Chicago, New York, Boston, and similar cold-weather cities typically close (or remove furniture) from roughly November through March. Heated patios with overhead lamps are rare but do exist at flagship locations. Year-round patios are the norm in California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas.

Top 2 Editor's Picks

Highest-ranked by our scoring methodology, with a short editorial note on each.

1

701 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90403

Santa Monica, California

Outdoor seating · quiet noise

Editor's take

Our favorite patio Starbucks in Santa Monica. Dogs are welcome, and you can order a free Puppuccino at the counter. Expect quiet ambient noise from the street.

Nestled along one of Santa Monica’s most charming shopping streets, the Starbucks at 701 Montana Avenue serves the affluent North of Montana neighborhood — a residential enclave known for its tree-lined blocks, boutique retail, and distinctly village-like atmosphere. This location draws a loyal clientele of local residents, yoga practitioners heading to or from nearby studios, and parents enjoying a quiet moment while children are at school. What sets this store apart is its exceptional setup for remote work. With 24 power outlets — the highest count among Santa Monica Starbucks locations — and consistent 75 Mbps WiFi, it functions as a reliable co-working space with excellent coffee. The noise level tends to stay quiet compared to busier locations downtown, creating an environment where you can actually concentrate on a phone call or deep work session without raising your voice. The outdoor seating is a genuine draw here. Montana Avenue benefits from mature street trees that provide dappled shade, and the sidewalk tables offer a front-row seat to the neighborhood’s relaxed pace. Unlike the tourist-heavy areas closer to the pier, this stretch feels authentically local — you are more likely to overhear conversations about school fundraisers and weekend hiking plans than vacation itineraries. Montana Avenue itself is worth exploring before or after your visit. The blocks surrounding this Starbucks feature independent bookshops, upscale home goods stores, specialty grocers, and some of the best casual dining on the Westside. It is the kind of neighborhood street that reminds you Santa Monica is not just a beach town but a genuine community with deep roots.

2

1356 Third Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Santa Monica, California

Outdoor seating · moderate noise

Editor's take

A solid second choice, especially when the flagship patio is full. Dogs are welcome, and you can order a free Puppuccino at the counter. Expect moderate ambient noise from the street.

The Starbucks at 1356 Third Street places you at the center of Santa Monica’s most famous commercial destination — the Third Street Promenade. This three-block pedestrian mall stretches from Wilshire Boulevard to Broadway and has been the social and retail heart of downtown Santa Monica since its redesign in the late 1980s. The store occupies a ground-floor space surrounded by a curated mix of national retailers, independent shops, restaurants, and movie theaters that draw both locals and millions of visitors annually. The Promenade location gives this Starbucks a cosmopolitan energy that distinguishes it from the city’s neighborhood stores. On any given day, the clientele includes international tourists, entertainment industry professionals from nearby offices, Santa Monica College students, and downtown residents. Street performers — from acrobats to classical musicians — provide an ever-changing soundtrack that filters through the windows. Despite the bustling location, the store maintains a moderate noise level inside, offering a reasonable contrast to the activity outside. Fourteen outlets and solid WiFi make it serviceable for work, though this is a location better appreciated as a social gathering point or a rest stop during a shopping excursion. The Promenade connects seamlessly to Santa Monica Place, the open-air shopping center at its southern end, and is just two blocks from the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. This positioning makes the store a natural hub — you can walk to the beach, browse retail, catch a movie, or have dinner at one of dozens of restaurants all within a five-minute radius.

Map of Outdoor Seating Starbucks in Santa Monica

How We Rank These Stores

Stores qualify if they are tagged outdoor_seating=yes in OpenStreetMap or if Starbucks store metadata lists patio/terrace/sidewalk seating. We do not distinguish between seasonal patios (which may close November–March in cold-weather cities) and year-round outdoor seating — check the individual store page for current availability during cold months. Patio dimensions vary from two sidewalk tables to 30-seat plazas at flagship stores.

FAQ: Outdoor Seating Starbucks in Santa Monica

Are dogs allowed on Starbucks patios?expand_more

Yes, at nearly all U.S. company-operated patios. Most Starbucks also offer a "Puppuccino" — a small cup of whipped cream — free for dogs when you order at the counter. Water bowls are kept at the counter; just ask.

Do Starbucks patios have Wi-Fi?expand_more

Usually yes. The in-store "Google Starbucks" network typically extends to the patio, though signal strength drops with distance and walls. Patios within 15–20 feet of the espresso bar usually get full-speed Wi-Fi; further-out plazas may drop to 2 bars.

Are outdoor seats heated in winter?expand_more

Rare. A handful of flagship stores have overhead heat lamps, but the vast majority of Santa Monica-area patios close or remove furniture when temperatures drop below ~40°F. Check the individual store page for current patio status.

Can I reserve an outdoor table?expand_more

No. All Starbucks seating — indoor and outdoor — is first-come-first-served. Arriving before 10 AM on a weekend is the most reliable way to claim a shaded patio seat.

Are outdoor tables smoke-free?expand_more

Starbucks corporate policy prohibits smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes) within 25 feet of the store entrance, which includes most patios. Enforcement is up to individual store managers.

Is outdoor seating available at Starbucks drive-thrus?expand_more

Some drive-thru Starbucks also have a small café with 2–4 sidewalk tables. Dedicated patios are more common at café-only locations, because drive-thru real estate typically prioritizes the lane and parking over outdoor seating.

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