The beaches at Santa Monica, and running southward to Venice Beach, are a popular playground for Los Angelinos. Santa Monica Pier features a full oceanfront amusement park. Shops, restaurants and vendors line the walkway between the pier and Venice Beach. Visitors play volleyball, frisbee, skate, run, cycle, swim or just relax in the sand on a warm sunny day watching the world go by.

Mark Wasson, http://www.markwasson.com > Trips has detailed summaries of my trips