A day at Santa Monica Beach

Close your eyes take a deep breath and feel the environment - love is in the air. This air will take you to the hassle-free time.  You will find it full of life and no worries around. This is the USP of Santa Monica beach and Pier.

 When we reached Los Angeles, we were blank in our program schedule. It was our unexpected plan and the basic motto of this trip was to relax and to take a break from the hectic work schedule. Under this condition, the best places to be visited in LA were its beaches. It is a land of beaches and babes. Our hotel was also near to a beach, Redondo Beach. This beach was at a walkable distance. However, I and my husband were willing to see the famous Santa Monica beach. As we didn’t have the driving license, we opted for the bus route.  It took around one hour from our hotel to reach Santa Monica beach. As soon as we landed on the beach, we were speechless. It has got a splendid beauty.

The city of Santa Monica is built on a plateau and the way towards its beach is about 50 feet below from its shopping street. There is a bridge which goes directly to the pier and a staircase is an alternative for it. The width of the beach is amazing. It is spread over 5.6 kms of large area. The pier stands like a narrow bridge ending in the sea. The giant wheel (part of an amusement park) on the pier looks like a toy. We took some picks and decided to walk on the wooden bridge. We were able to see the shining sand from the gaps of ages old woods.

We walked towards the pier, mesmerized. On the right, there was beach stretching long till the end of eyes, on the other side there were shops, restaurants and a mini amusement park. A big rock in the sea stood majestically challenging the Pacific. The shore blended on to the hills, which had homes of people with lots of dollars. The bright sunshine accompanied with the cool breeze from the Pacific Ocean made the weather perfect to go around. This beach has got different things for different people. Everyone will find many things to do of their own interest. Colorful creatures from around the world could be seen here. Lots of pretty girls, dressed (read less) to kill, handsome men (read no shirts), old, young, foodies, like me, all were there. In short, the place was alive. The pier doesn’t sleep. It remains open round the clock and around the year.

Pacific park is an oceanfront mini amusement park situated on the Santa Monica pier. There are various ways to have fun in this park. Although our baby was small and couldn’t participate in any game, but we decided to win some toys for her from these games. She was looking at all the toys hanging over there with her sparkling eyes. The games were not so easy. The more attractive the prizes were, the more difficult the games were. Somehow, we managed to win a soft toy for her. Riding a coaster was a breath away experience. Unlike other roller-coaster, it has taken us to the amazing view of Southern California beach line along the coast of Pacific Ocean. A ride in ferries wheel has given us the childhood experience.

A couple of portrait sketchers had also their booths on the pier. They were drawing the sketches of different people sitting under the shade of umbrella. It was only required to pay them few dollars. Obviously, in this world nothing is meant to be free! However, we didn’t pay a single penny to enter this pier. We also saw some people sitting on the lower case of pier, with their fishing rod dipped in the blue water. Using the spiral staircase, we also went downstairs to have a closer look.

Many street performers could also be seen here. Some would be performing their regional dance, while others could be seen singing their own composition. They also sell their CDs, which are available on the spot. Good food and good trip runs parallel to each other. Therefore, we decided to have something good and something special on this beach - seafood.  As we didn’t have any idea about sea food, we made an order on the basis of pictures available in the menu card. After a long waiting time, calamari, fried oyster and fish burger with a pair of beer cans were there at our table.  Not to worry, the people who do not like seafood could try for other options available on the pier. You are bound to find something you will love to eat on the pier, as there are many other restaurants like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and The Coffee Bean. Pretzel is a very famous baked food of America. They are made in unique knot like shape. Kiosks selling pretzels are also there on the pier.

As it was Sunday, we also got a chance to see hundreds of white and red wood crosses buried in the sand. Veterans of peace have named the spot as “Arlington West”. Every cross represents one of the troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. This memorial has been dedicated to the men and women of the American military who have made the greatest sacrifice and to those who live on their wounds. This is a unique way of giving honor and to remember the people who lost their life in wars. It is said that, from last six months they are doing this ritual on every Sunday and they will continue this ritual until the bodies of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will stop coming.

A bunch of colorful parrots made our baby happier.  They look very cute and talk very sweet. Leaving behind the pier, as soon as we landed on the white sand of Santa Monica beach, we found it equally exciting. The roaring of sea-shore and the blissful air covering up the body was like awakening of our senses. The green algae were adding beauty to the foams of ocean. Santa Monica beach is also known as the sexiest beach of Los Angeles. This is one of the best places from Southern California to hang around with family and friends. Surfing, volleyball, swimming and sunbathing are some of the best activities to be enjoyed on this beach. But, one should always check with the lifeguards before surfing. Volleyball courts are always available to the public and it is also free of charge. Biking is a good choice available there. There is a bicycle trail, which runs along the Santa Monica beach. It stretches 35 kms and is also known as the longest beach path in the world.

At the end of the day, going in and around the Santa Monica pier and beach has dropped us with unforgettable experiences for the lifetime. We were happy to have not brought, a decision we would go on to regret later!