Top 10 things to do at Santa Monica Beach, California

Santa Monica is a favorite, for those seeking an active, outdoors vacation. There are miles of well-maintained beach locations all with an average 340 days of sunshine a year, plus a gentle ocean breeze. There is always something happening at the beach, a reason so many people gravitate to this beach, not only to participate, but to indulge in - that most enjoyable activity - people watching.

Here are my 10 top things to do at the Santa Monica Beach, whether on a day's excursion, or spending time in a nearby hotel on vacation.

Santa Monica Beach stretches for 3.5 miles between the ocean and nearby streets. It is the perfect location for soaking up the California sun, just bring your beach chair and other sun-essentials, relax and watch the passing parade, or enjoy a good book, as you soak up the rays. For those who prefer they can experience a real VIP treatment - get your own Beach Butler. The Beach Butler will set up your beach chair, table, umbrella; deliver tanning products, chilled beverages and even food. This ensures you never have to leave your spot on the beach, and at the end of your stay, they will clean up. Beach Butler service is available at three different Santa Monica locations.

2. The South Bay Bicycle Trail runs along the Santa Monica State Beach, stretching 22 miles north towards Malibu and south to Torrance. This is the longest beach path of its kind in the world, and everyone is allowed to use it, on any non-motorized wheeled conveyance.

3. Tired of lying on the beach doing nothing, want some activity, try getting some players together, for a game of "Volleyball", at one of the sandy beach volleyball courts located south of the Pier. These courts are always available to the public and are free of charge. Prefer to just watch, grab a place on the bleacher-style seating and watch others play. These courts have been used to train many "Olympic competitors" over the years.

This is a visitor's center, open to everyone, without any membership requirements. Besides the beach Cafe, the the Beach House also rents many recreation equipment such as - Umbrellas, beach chairs, and Paddleboards. There is also a pool with a pool deck and a two-story pool house with lockers. The enclosed picnic area has a water playground for kids, beach courts and fields and splash pad. The Beach House is open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

5. While surfing is permitted year-round, in the summer it is permitted only between certain Lifeguard Towers. Always check which towers allow surfing, before heading into the waves.

6. Santa Monica’s mild surf makes it a prime beach for swimming, bodysurfing or boogie boarding. During the early months of the year, the ocean can be a little too cold to indulge in this pasttime, except for those days when the temperature soars above norm and the sun shines brightly overhead. In the summer, the ocean is dotted with everyone trying to cool of and enjoy time in the water. Lifeguard stations are staffed during the day



7. The arcade is packed with over 200 games and attractions that include "Grand Prix" driving range, three passenger merry-go-round, outer space room, soccer field, and a large number of video games such as PaxMan and Dance-Dance Revolution.

8. At the south end of the Santa Monica Pier is the original location of "Muscle Beach" known as the birthplace of the physical fitness boom in the twentieth century, and dates back to the 1930's. The network of outdoor workout equipment is famous as the place where Kirk Douglas, Mae West and fitness guru Jack LaLanne trained.

The facility has been fully restored and refurbished with an extensive padded gymnastic training area for Gymnists, acrobats, and other youths. There are - chinning bars, parrallel bars, rings and a small jungle gym for children.

Just south of "Muscle Beach" along Ocean Front Walk, there are permanent chess tables and a human-size chessboard, which are open to the public to use for free. Here one can test their skills at one of the built-in chess tables, or watch players, of different skill levels, in their intense rivalries.

This is a wide, paved footpath that extends south from the Pier, and is lined with shops and restaurants. For kids there is a stone-walled sandbox with a concrete Viking ship in its midst; and an interactive dragon’s head looming in the grass nearby.

There is lots of parking available on the eight parking lots - two north of the Santa Monica Pier, along Pacific Coast Highway, three south of the Pier, as well as the Pier parking decks. There are different fees for parking, as well as different restrictions, it all depends where one parks.

For pedestrians there are several options for access to the beach - north of the Pier there are four pedestrian bridges that arch over Pacific Coast Highway, that lead to the beach.