It doesn’t matter if you live in Santa Monica or are visiting from out of the area, nothing changes the fact that it’s one of the best destinations in the state for outdoor lovers. In fact, it’s a top destination among global travelers who enjoy spending time in the fresh air.
You don’t need an itinerary to guide you during your time in Santa Monica. Instead, you can do whatever you feel, whenever you want. However, it never hurts to have a basic agenda to guide you. Here are five things to do outdoors in Santa Monica.
1. Take a walk on the beach
There’s no better way to give your mind and soul the rest it deserves. A walk on the beach, even if only for a few minutes, will help you better connect with yourself and nature. And when you do that, you’ll feel much better about where things are headed with your life in the future.
For example, if you or your child is going through teen residential treatment in California, it’s important to take your mental health into consideration at all times. And doing things such as connecting with nature is one of the better options for doing so.
2. Go parasailing
From the ground, parasailing looks like a lot of fun. And once you’re flying through the sky, you’ll realize that it’s even more exciting than you thought. For some people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so you want to take advantage of the next chance you get.
There’s no shortage of companies that offer parasailing in and around the area. Compare a few, reach out to them for additional information, and make a final decision as to which one is best. The sooner you move through this process the sooner you’ll find yourself floating above Santa Monica.
3. Take a hike
In many ways, this is a similar experience to walking on the beach. It’s an opportunity to be at one with yourself while connecting with nature. Fortunately, Santa Monica is a great place for outdoor lovers who enjoy hiking.
Some of the best places to hike include Trail to Beach, Murphy Ranch Trail, Solstice Canyon Loop, Backbone Trail to Sandstone Peak, and Mishe Mokwa Trail Loop.
The more time you spend on these hiking trails the more you’ll realize that there are others that you should visit as time allows. Santa Monica may not be well known for its trails, but there’s no shortage of them to take advantage of.
4. Dine outdoors
With so many dining opportunities in Santa Monica, you should keep an open mind so that you don’t miss an enjoyable experience. If you want to take your experience to the next level, consider outdoor dining. Some of the best restaurants in Santa Monica with outdoor seating include Water Grill, Big Dean’s Ocean Front Cafe, The Misfit Bar & Restaurant, Lunetta All Day, and 1212 Santa Monica.
Outdoor dining in Santa Monica is an experience you’ll always remember, especially when you choose to do so at a restaurant with a great reputation for its atmosphere and food quality.
5. Take a bike ride
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to bicycling or have been an avid rider for many years, there’s no shortage of routes throughout Santa Monica to put your skills to the test. And best yet, many of these routes are great for sightseeing.
Consider the following: Marvin Braude Bike Trail, Backbone Trail, Sullivan Canyon, and Mandeville Canyon Road.
Of course, your safety should always come first. So, if you don’t have much experience on a bike — especially in certain settings — be cautious about what you get yourself into. As you gain experience, you can then take on more challenging routes.
Final thoughts
Now are you beginning to see why Santa Monica is the perfect destination for outdoor lovers? All it takes is one visit and you’re hooked. You may enjoy the area so much that you consider moving there in the future.
What are your favorite outdoor activities in Santa Monica? Would you add any to the list above?
