Summer in the City: Los Angeles

Top Things to See and Do by the Pacific Beaches in the LA Sunshine

Mar 24, 2008

In Los Angeles this summer head for Malibu, Venice and Santa Monica, where there are beaches for surfing and sunbathing, but piers, boardwalks, and the Getty Villa too.

In the land of California sun, California girls and the Beach Boys, no-one needs reminding that Los Angeles has some of the best and busiest beaches on the Pacific Coast. But anyone on vacation in the city this summer might want to combine some sunbathing with some sightseeing too. There's other stuff to see besides sand and surf.

MALIBU

1929 beach-front house built for the wealthy Rindge family, who were among the first well-heeled people to settle in Malibu. See how they lived back then, and learn how Malibu developed.

Since it opened in 2006 after $275 million of work, the Getty Villa Malibu has been one of the hottest tickets in Los Angeles. The former home of John Paul Getty is now a museum with the 23 galleries displaying over 1200 works, plus of course the chance to see just what kind of a place one of the richest men in the world chooses to build for himself. Admission is free but you absolutely must (no exceptions) book a ticket in advance on the internet or by phone: (310) 440-7300.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach

When the beaches get too busy or the traffic just too much for you, head for the 5-acre white-sand State Beach which is open 24/7. Here walkways take you out into the marshy wetlands where you can see numerous herons, egrets, gulls and waders going about their business. Sunrise and sunset are the best and most peaceful times, and although the parking lot isn't open then, you can park on the street but don't try that during the day.

SANTA MONICA

Three traffic-free blocks between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard where people come first, with restaurants, shops, movies, buskers, trees, fountains and people just hanging out, daytime and night-time.

Built in 1908 and so celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Santa Monica Pier harks back to a time when lots more resorts had piers. Santa Monica's still survives, with its 46-horse carousel (which was built in 1922 and featured in The Sting, amongst other movies), an aquarium, souvenir shops, arcades, fishermen and Pacific Park amusement area. Not to be missed.

VENICE

This is the Venice you see in books and movies, the Venice of beach babes and body builders (at Muscle Beach, of course), of skateboarders and jugglers, rollerbladers and buskers, curious tourists and local eccentrics. Very California, very Los Angeles.

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