Santa Monica
With nearly four miles of beaches and a vibrant urban scene, Santa Monica blends the sophistication of an international coastal city with the laid-back vibe of a California beach town. Even though it’s only 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, it feels like a weekend getaway spot. Celebrated for its dining and shopping, Santa Monica is home to several celebrity chef–helmed restaurants, and its retail hotspots range from the open-air Santa Monica Place to the major brands that line downtown’s Third Street Promenade, an area made all the more lively by street performers. The stylish boutiques on Montana Avenue are perfect for finding the perfect so-L.A. item to take home, and keep your eyes peeled: This is a great place to spot local celebs.
Venice Beach
Abutting Santa Monica’s south side, Venice Beach—or simply Venice—is famous for quirky happenings. Stroll down its iconic beachfront boardwalk, and you’ll be weaving through mimes, jugglers, musicians, and other street performers that make up this ever-changing and unforgettable bohemian subculture. Stop by the outdoor weight room at Muscle Beach Gym, once the home turf of bodybuilder, actor, and future governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, or go mobile with a rented beach bike to follow Venice’s stretch of the 22-mile Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail. On Venice’s south side, boho-chic Abbot Kinney Boulevard contains a mile-long stretch of high-end restaurants, posh galleries, and edgy boutiques selling furnishings and fashions. Head this way for a retail fix especially on First Fridays, when food trucks and live music line the boulevard.
Huntington Beach
The endless summer was born in Huntington Beach. To understand how the sport has defined this Orange County city—and earned it the nickname of Surf City USA—step into the city’s International Surfing Museum and immerse yourself in a world of waves, winds, tides, and swells. Even if you never get your toes on the nose, you can still watch locals riding the waves alongside the landmark 1,850-foot-long pier, browse through Huntington Beach’s wealth of surf shops, or pay tribute to surfing legends memorialized at the Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Savor the beach life by bicycling along the oceanfront path or go hiking or bird-watching at the restored estuary at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, one of Southern California’s most vital coastal wetland habitats.