Bergamot Station

This cluster of low industrial buildings off Michigan Avenue served as a stop and rail-car yard for the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad from 1875 until 1953, before the city of Santa Monica turned it into an arts complex in 1994. Close to twenty galleries and a couple of restaurants now operate inside, among them Craig Krull Gallery, Peter Fetterman Gallery, and the City Garage Theatre, most keeping Tuesday-through-Saturday hours and several open by appointment only. The grounds also host live performances, video art, and theater, and walking through costs nothing.