My iPhone predicted a promising 82 degrees in Santa Monica on Saturday. It might as well been screaming "beach day!" Usually I like to spend my beach time lounging on my chaise, but on this occasion, I took my bike on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (aka The Strand) for a little oceanic cruise.
This bike path parallels the Pacific coastline 22 miles from Will Rogers Beach all the way to Torrance, passing through LA's beach towns including Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo. That seemed awfully ambitious for a solo lazy-day ride, so I pedaled north from Venice through Santa Monica to Will Rogers for a good 10-mile out-and-back.
Being the weekend, the path was quite congested with bikers, beach-goers, walkers and skaters, but as you pass the Santa Monica Pier, it clears up considerably, so you have more freedom to take in your surroundings without the fear of crashing into someone (My tip to avoid this: Come early morning on a week day. It's practically a ghost town.)
There's the uninterrupted the views of the ocean and sand, of course, but you also whiz by beach cafes, succulents growing in sand, hunky guys playing volleyball, naked toddlers running on the beach—you know, the good things in life.
In the middle of my ride, I parked my bike and ventured on the beach. After dipping my toes in the water, I lay down on the sand and took a little catnap. Is there anything more satisfying than dozing off to the sound of ocean waves? I can't think of any at the moment.
Pacific Ocean coastline from Will Rogers State Park to Torrance Beach, CA
4 comments:
I love "The Strand". Dad and I rode it on our bicycle adventures. One of my favorite paths. Love the pics too. Umbrella is my fav.
Yes, next time you come visit, we will have to take a ride. It's just minutes from my apt!
It looks like a dream! When and if I can come out this summer, I expect to take this bike tour (with the crazy boys some how).
Beautiful pictures. Beautiful you. Beautiful life. XOXO
Would love to see you and the boys here! xoxo
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