2727 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
Santa Monica, California
Drive-thru · opens 04:30
Editor's take
A go-to commuter drive-thru in Santa Monica. Opens at 04:30 with lane service. Mobile Order works at the drive-thru window here, so you can cut the speaker wait. Patio seating if you want to park after picking up.
The Starbucks at 2727 Pico Boulevard stands out as one of Santa Monica’s most versatile locations, combining drive-thru convenience with a full café experience and outdoor seating. Positioned along Pico Boulevard — a major east-west artery that runs from the beach all the way to downtown Los Angeles — this store serves as a crossroads for commuters, families, and residents of the historic Pico neighborhood. The drive-thru is the defining feature that sets this location apart from most Santa Monica Starbucks stores. For parents on school drop-off runs, commuters heading east toward the 405 or the 10 freeway, and anyone who prefers to stay in their car, it provides convenience that walkup-only locations cannot match. The dedicated parking lot further eases the experience. Inside, the store maintains a busy, social energy. The 9 outlets and 75 Mbps WiFi make it workable for remote workers, though the drive-thru traffic and outdoor seating crowd contribute to a livelier atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is a genuine highlight — Santa Monica’s mild climate means it is usable for much of the year. The Pico neighborhood surrounding this store carries deep historical significance within Santa Monica. One of the city’s most culturally diverse areas, it has long been home to Santa Monica’s African American and Latino communities. Virginia Avenue Park, just blocks away, serves as the neighborhood’s social anchor with community programming and cultural events.