Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Beach is the quintessential Southern California beach experience — a vast expanse of golden sand stretching 3.5 miles along the Pacific coast, bookended by the historic Santa Monica Pier to the north and the bluffs of Palisades Park overlooking it all. As the official western terminus of the legendary Route 66, the pier and beach hold a special place in American cultural history, attracting millions of visitors every year from around the world.

The beach itself is broad and well-maintained, patrolled by professional lifeguards during peak hours. The famous Santa Monica Pier juts out into the Pacific at the northern end of the beach, housing Pacific Park — a small amusement park complete with a solar-powered Ferris wheel that has become one of LA's most recognisable landmarks. The pier also hosts the Pacific Trapeze School, an aquarium, and numerous dining options with spectacular ocean views.

Running parallel to the beach is the South Bay Bicycle Trail — a dedicated path winding 22 miles from Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach — making Santa Monica an excellent base for cycling explorations of the LA coastline. Muscle Beach, the legendary outdoor gym just south of the pier, has been part of Santa Monica's identity since the 1930s, attracting athletes and curious visitors alike. The beachside promenade, lined with palm trees and volleyball courts, captures everything that makes Southern California's beach culture so iconic.