FITCATION ON THE BEACH
Turn your summer break into a fitness bootcamp by surfing,
cycling and even trapezing your way through Santa Monica!
While the soft sandy beaches, sunlit eateries and ochre sunsets
heavily contribute to its good looks, it is the vibrant cultural scene and
neighbourhoods loaded with character that really make Santa Monica enviable.The
place aptly combines the laidback appeal of a beach town with big city
sophistication, sprinkled with Rivierastyle romance and Hollywood glamour. And,
yes, you have the excellent odds of spotting a celebrity or
celebrity-lookalikes.
CLASSIC CAL
WORKOUT
With beautiful bodies working out everywhere around you, Santa
Monica is as inspirational as it is charming. Head to the original Muscle Beach
where the bodybuilding movement of the 20th century began and it seems like
everyone on the beach can stand on their hands! They make it seem like a cakewalk
but it really isn't, and you only realise this when you dare to try a few
body-balancing acts yourself. Looking for an aquatic challenge? Enroll for a
surf lesson at R the Santa Monica beach and experi ence the exhilaration of
riding a wave. Or dive into the California born sport of beach volleyball at
one of the courts on the north or south of the pier. What's more? For an
adrenaline rush, take a class in flying trapeze, silks or trampoline.
CRUISE AROUND
TOWN
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, is a
paved bicycle path that runs mostly along the Pacific Ocean shoreline in Los
Angeles County and runs through Santa Monica too. Rent some wheels for the day
and pass by the famed Mus cle Beach, Santa Monica, and Venice surf breaks,
while soaking in ocean panoramas along with a number of other cyclists,
skaters, joggers and Segway riders. Pick up the path on either side of Santa
Monica Pier and head south. Whether you just want a leisurely ramble or a
comparatively challenging spin, you can track your distance and set your pace
with easyto-spot mileage markers.
FUN WALKATHON
Looking for a place to find a quiet escape from the crowded
Santa Monica Pier? Go hunting for a dark chamber with a ship's wheel at the
centre it's the Camera Obscura! Located at the Palisades Park, it features a
rotating vintage optic device that projects a live image of the adjacent
beachfront and lends an experience that is nothing short of magic. Or simply
walk on one of the many paths between the 26-acre Palisades Park and Colorado
Avenue to feel at peace. Cover a few more miles to set eyes on the awardwinning
Tongva Park. Inspired by the Southern California Arroyo landscape of washes and
ravines, it is a space full of rolling hills, verdant lawns, picnic tables and
winding walkways.
AMERICAN BEACH
BITE
A glass of fresh lemonade in one hand and a piping hot corn dog
in the other... this is stuff beach strolls are made of. Visit Hot Dog on a
Stick for this American pairing. The historic little red shack turns out its
signature fare every day. Or even better, enjoy beach butler service and be
treated to California staple burger and fries right where you dangle your toes
in the sand. And all this with a flawless setting of beach chairs, tables and
umbrellas. Also sample Santa Monica's first locally-crafted beer at Santa
Monica Brew Works. It is the perfect beach beer! The land of surf and sand
promises to give you an awesome summer experience.
MUST-DO
World's Coolest Ferris Wheel: Pacific Park's 13-storey Pacific
Wheel is the world's first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel.One can take in
panoramic views of the Los Angeles coastline and mountains from more than 185
feet above the pier sitting in this giant wheel. Don't forget to wait for it to
light up at night!
Hollywood Glam: Unwind like a celebrity at a beach house that
was once a hotspot of Hollywood luminaries. An extravagant gift from newspaper
magnate -William Randolph -to his mistress, the silent film star Marion Davies
is the Marion Davies Estate that dates back to 1929. It is open to public.
Shikha Shah
TOI 2JUL17
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