Santa Monica and Venice Beaches

Station 8-

Growing up in Santa Monica has taught me a few things…especially when it comes to beaches.  My favorite beach in the Santa Monica and Venice area has got to be station 8, known to the locals as “Chet” I don’t know why I like this beach over the others, maybe it’s because I grew up there and I know it so well.  Station 8 is located at lifeguard station 8, which is North of the Santa Monica Pier, it is cleaner than some of the beaches South and the lifeguards are great!  Santa Monica beach is actually a small bay, which helps eliminate some of the strong currents and big waves, watch for signs and listen to the lifeguards because like any beach, the waves and currents can be unpredictable.

Santa Monica Pier-
You will spend a lot of money if you're not careful.  The best thing about Santa Monica Pier is the free concerts that are held throughout the summer on Thursday nights.  Bring a chair and some food and you can dance and listen to great music.  Of course your kids will convince you to ride the rollercoaster “just once”   be prepared to bring your cash. 

Venice Boardwalk-
If you are a tourist then it is worth seeing all the amusing people, the tattoo shops, muscle beach, and the ever famous “skating guy” who roller blades around in his “religious” garb and sings into a loud microphone.  Venice Boardwalk is known for its weirdness, so please don’t dress up!  Many times I have been to the Boardwalk and I have been shocked to see so many people dressed up and walking in dress shoes, practically stumbling.  The Boardwalk can be very crowded and there is nothing more annoying than being stuck behind a bunch of people that can barely walk.

Bay Street-
Bay Street is a great beach located just south of the Santa Monica Pier it’s a great beach to take the kids to surf, the waves are gentle, yet they have some form to them.  Bay Street has many different surf camps and lessons located right on the sand. Bay Street can get pretty crowded on the weekends during the summer.  Like all o the beaches in the Santa Monica and Venice area, there is no smoking or dogs allowed on the beach.

Will Rogers Beach-
This is one of the cleaner and nicer beaches in the area; it is located at the base of Temescal Canyon and PCH.  The sand area is not as long or wide as Santa Monica beach, but the water is clean, the beach is clean and it does not get as crowded.  At Will Rogers, you can swim, surf or boogie board making it a great spot for all ages.  On busy weekends it can fill up so get there early if you want a parking spot, you can always park on Temescal and walk down if the parking lot is full.

Marina Del Rey Beaches

Mothers Beach-
Yuck!  Don’t do it!  This beach is so disgusting; it is basically a mud hole with enough oil from the boats to kill small marine life.  They advertise as a” safe beach for kids”….yea sure if you want your children to be covered in oil, I would never let my kids swim there, not that they would want to. 

In fact, Marina Del Rey is not known for their beaches, Marina Del Rey is more known for their restaurants and for Fisherman’s Wharf.  Fisherman’s Wharf provides fishing excursions and dinner cruises, you can find more information at http://www.visitmarina.com%20/