From Simi Valley where I was staying this week, myself and my friend we drove through Box Canyon area which had scenic views. We stopped at Malibu Temple, then near Pepperdine University for some view of the ocean, then headed to Santa Monica. Our plan was to go to The Getty Villa in Pacific coast highway, Pacific Palisades. We were turned away right at the gates as The Getty Villa requires a ticket, though free it has to be booked online prior to the visit. Having come all the way from Simi Valley here we decided to spend time on Santa Monica beach and pier. It turned out to be fun, the weather was pleasant, the sun was going down & the place was not that crowded.
Generally, in the USA, the beach sands tend to be not as wide as in Chennai (Marina beach), but in Santa Monica, it was quite long and wide. The small hills right after the sands on the highway side provided a nice backdrop for photos.
Santa Monica beach
I saw ladies writing on the sand with their feet, lovely!
Wedding pictures were taken by a couple, water sports were being played, unmanned camera & tripod could be spotted by me.
Couple photo session in Santha Monica Beach
Tripod standing alone in Santha Monica Beach
Water Sports at Santha Monica Beach
The below two pictures are telezoom images of a hotel and a clock tower far away from the sands. The sands provided me with a perfect depth of field.
The Georgian Hotel Picture in Santha Monica Beach
Clock tower in Santha Monica Beach
I learned from Wikipedia that the Santa Monica pier is over 100 years old and is a historic landmark (I feel everything over few decades is historic in the USA). The famous Route 66 trail ends in the Santa Monica pier, few years back I have travelled on the route when I went from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon.
Santha Monica 66 – End of the trail
Venkatarangan in Santha Monica Pier
Santa Monica pier is quite long, housing many restaurants, shops, harbour office, police booth and a theme park.
Rides at Santha Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
The sunset looked gorgeous from the pier end.
Santa Monica Pier – Sunset
