Santa Monica
By Anna Lynn Sibal
At a mere three and a half miles, the coastline of Santa Monica in California may be quite short compared to the 27 miles of neighboring Malibu, but that does not mean that the beaches of Santa Monica are a lot less satisfactory. In fact, the beaches of Santa Monica are considered to be one of the most perfect beaches in the entire world.
What more can you ask for when you go to the beach? In Santa Monica, the weather is always mild, perfect for sunbathing for most of the year. The warm waters of the Pacific Ocean that laps up the coastline are a clear, enticing blue. What more can you ask for when you go on a beach holiday to Santa Monica?
What makes a beach holiday in Santa Monica even lovelier is that your enjoyment is not wholly limited to the beach. There are actually at least three places you can go to if you are in search for some amusement in Santa Monica.
The first of these is the Santa Monica Pier. The Santa Monica Pier is the oldest pleasure piers in the whole of California. There is a carnival here, and you can go on rides on the Ferris wheel or the roller coaster. You can also visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. You can sit around all day with a fishing rod in your hands. You can hang out at one of the pubs and watch the people passing by. You can skateboard if you know how. Or you can just relax at a café and get yourself hypnotized by staring at the waves.
The second place you can go is the Third Street Promenade. This place is Santa Monica’s shopping mecca. The great thing about it is that it is closed off to vehicular traffic, and so you can stroll about at your ease and just as you please. You are likely to find something to fancy or quirky to buy from one of the shops. You can also treat yourself to the performances of street musicians and mimes working this place. Third Street Promenade also has splendid movie theaters if you feel like watching a movie, as well as fine restaurants offering various cuisines if you feel like eating.
The third place you can go to in Santa Monica is the Santa Monica Mountain Recreational Area. A hike through the various trails through the Santa Monica Mountains is rewarding, as it will show you some dramatic vistas of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean beyond.
Of course, there are other places that you should not miss when you go on a holiday trip to Santa Monica. There is the Palisades Park, which is another open area by the bluffs, where you can get some more dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. And for really quirky items that you somehow failed to find on the Third Street Promenade, there are always the shopping corners at Wilshire and Montana Street.
Santa Monica may have a short beach, but it has a lot more attractions packed in.
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