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Santa Monica State Beach

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dina4
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Santa Monica State Beach

  • February 3, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by onesundaymorning from Los Angeles, California
Santa Monica State Beach

There might be prettier beaches in more exotic locations in the world; but none will capture the feel, the atmosphere, or the attitude of Santa Monica. It might be the streets lined with palm trees; celebrity sighting; the Boardwalk; Palisades Park; the carefree, beach blond, surfer attitude or all of those things that makes quintessential beach for LA. Unlike its liberal sister to the south, Venice, Santa Monica is a much more laid back, conservative, quiet (in it’s own right) beach. On weekends and holidays the beach is packed. There is no parking and no room to find a place to breath, but the further away from the boardwalk you walk the more room there is to be found.
The attraction to Santa Monica isn’t so much the beach as it is the endless amount of things there are to do there. The Pier is hard to miss. Created in 1870 as the most massive pier in California measuring 4,720 feet long and 130 feet wide. Originally it was created to make Santa Monica the official port of LA. Santa Monica may have lost out the title of primer commerce center to San Pedro, but that didn’t detour the city. Today the pier is home to a mini-amusement park that includes a carousel, a rollercoaster, and other amusements. On the opposite end of the pier is the La Monica Ballroom. Fishers also line the side of the pier and tourist can watch as they haul in their days catch or watch an act by one of the many performers trying to make a buck.
Just down the street from the pier is the hottest destination in LA, Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. On Third Street between Wilshire and Broadway lies a pedestrian only walk way. Some of the most trendy boutiques and chain stores make the promenade their home. The streets are lined with manicured plants (my favorite are the ones shaped like dinosaurs) and street vendors. This is also the premier place on the coast to celebrity watch. Grab a drink at Starbucks and camp out near any restaurant and chances are that someone famous will happen by. At night the promenade takes on a different feel. When the sunsets and the lights on the Third Street come on the best street performers make their way out. Some of the best singers, artists, and other unusual acts can be found along the streets.
Once of the most famous (yet must unheard of places) also can be found along the beach in Santa Monica, Palisades Park. This 14-block line, narrow strip of land is covered in palm trees and overlooks the bluffs to the ocean, and is often used a the backdrop in many commercials, movies, and TV shows. This is a gathering place for everyone who wants to unwind after a long day at the beach.

From journal Beach Bums

Santa Monica Beach

  • January 19, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by surfninja from Orlando, Florida
Santa Monica Beach

We visited the Santa Monica Pier and took a bike ride to Venice Beach, which was super fun!  I am also including pictures of the former Fox Ranch (now Malibu Creek State Park) where M*A*S*H was shot - although it was closed due to fires the day we visited.

From journal Los Angeles

Santa Monica Beaches

  • July 3, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by dina4 from los angeles, California
Beaches in Santa Monica may be crowded on the weekends, but they're easy and convenient. You can always find a parking lot ($7), a restroom, and a volleyball net. A few beaches have playgrounds (swings, etc.) for kids, and a couple have food concessions (Back to the Beach) and (Perry's Pizza). What's really nice about the Santa Monica beach is the bike path that extends several miles, all the way down to Venice. In fact, you can take it through Marina del Rey and into Manhattan Beach. Bike and rollerblade rental shops are scattered throughout Santa Monica and Venice along the bike path. There's also Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier, so if you're tired of sunbathing and riding waves in Santa Monica, you can take a long bike ride or even ride a roller coaster.

From journal Beaches in Los Angeles

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