Santa Monica State Beach runs 3.5 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway and, though a California state park, is operated by the city of Santa Monica. A defining public space, it combines broad recreation with notable landmarks including the Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, and the 1922 Looff Hippodrome Carousel. The beach offers volleyball, surfing, paddleboarding, swimming, and the original Muscle Beach area, while Palisades Park overlooks the shoreline. Its history also reflects segregation through the Ink Well or Negro Beach, where African Americans were allowed limited access, including early Black surfer Nick Gabaldon. The shoreline also supports Snowy Plovers, habitat restoration, and the Arlington West Iraq War memorial.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Santa Monica, California · USA