Shutters on the Beach is more than just a spectacular place to stay, it’s the epitome of Southern California’s breezy lifestyle. This captivating hotel is located directly on the sand and within walking distance of the area’s biggest attractions including the Santa Monica Pier.
In the middle of the Santa Monica State Beach is the Santa Monica Pier. The pier is a landmark for the beach and the city, featuring an amusement park, Pacific Park, Heal the Bay Aquarium, shopping, restaurants, and more.
On the south side of the pier, Santa Monica Beach is level with the city, with parking lots, parks, homes and hotels bordering the beach. The Original Muscle Beach (featuring gymnastics equipment) and Carousel Park are located just south of the Santa Monica Pier. The ever present palm trees complete the California beach scene.
Santa Monica Beach is popular for beginners all year long. The waves are frequent and it’s easy to get to. Most of the surf comes from groundswells and waves at the beach break both left and right. Here is a lonely surfer captured from the Santa Monica Pier.
A view of Santa Monica (California) and its beach from the Santa Monica Pier
The Harbor Office and a Mexican restaurant – Maria Sol – are at the very end of Santa Monica Pier, floating above the Pacific Ocean.
Set in California at Santa Monica’s westernmost point, the Santa Monica Pier is a staple of this picturesque seaside community. Packed with family-friendly activities, vibrant street performers, restaurants and shops, the public pier also has stunning views and over a century’s worth of history. Here is a corner view of the famous pier.
The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel gives visitors a panoramic view of the Southern California coastline from more than 130 feet above the Santa Monica Pier. Measuring 85 feet, the Pacific Wheel moves at 2.5 revolutions per minute with intermittent stops to pick up passengers.
Located on the world famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is the family place to play! It’s the West Coast’s only amusement park located on a pier. There are a total of twelve rides in Pacific Park, including the world’s first and only solar powered Ferris wheel that provides a view of the Pacific Ocean and a roller coaster that circles the majority of the park. Pacific Park is also home to 14 midway games and over-the-ocean food and retail outlets. It has appeared in over 500 movies and television shows.
A colorful, shaded, resting place overlooking Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Ocean in California
Santa Monica State Beach on the north side of the pier is separated from the city by the palisades (an ocean bluff) and the Pacific Coast Highway. A series of bridges, walkways and stairs provide access to the beach. One doesn’t have to face heavy traffic on Pacific Coast Hwy. 1, but can cross over from Ocean Blvd. to the Santa Monica Pier and beaches via a walking bridge.
The parking lot for Santa Monica Pier appears empty in early morning, but not for long. Santa Monica’s residential population is approximately 93,000, increasing to an estimated 250,000 during the day with tourists, shoppers, and employees. Tourism attracts over 8 million visitors annually.
Spectacular clouds hang over the Santa Monica Pier as it juts out into the Pacific Ocean, California
From the elevated height of Palisades Park, Santa Monica, California, well protected paths provide vantage views of the Pacific Ocean, beaches, and the Santa Monica Pier.
Palisades Park is a 26.4-acre park in Santa Monica, California. The park is located along a 1.6-mile section of Ocean Avenue on top of an uplifted unconsolidated sedimentary coastal Quaternary terrace with exposed bluffs, offering views of both the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains.
Walking along the park on a hazy morning, one can see a pier in the distance. The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California.
Photos by Ravi 