Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach stretches 2 miles along the Pacific in Santa Monica, with a picnic area, shops and a pier. Activities include volleyball, basketball, and a running strip along the beach. Santa Monica State Beach is one of the widest and most popular beaches in the Los Angeles area with everything from an amusement park on the pier to volleyball. On the pier, the Pacific Park amusement center offers a nine-story Ferris wheel that provides a bird's-eye view of the city and coastline. There is also a 1920s vintage carousel, plus skeeball, air hockey, pinball, video games and more.

The beach is closed from midnight until 5:00 a.m.; the pier is open 24 hours a day.

See more California State Parks.

Other upcoming events include: Sandhill Crane Festival Lodi continuing thru November 9 San Francisco Jazz Festival San Francisco continuing thru November 21