Beach days at Santa Monica and Venice

The Pacific coast is LA at its most carefree, and the beaches are free. Santa Monica has its famous pier, fairground and wide sands, while neighbouring Venice Beach is a one-of-a-kind spectacle of muscle beach, skaters, street performers, drum circles, and bohemian boardwalk stalls. Rent a bike and ride the beachfront path between them, or simply soak up the sun and the show. It's the quintessential, and entirely affordable, LA day out. We'll explain how to reach the coast without a car, the best stretches of sand, and what not to miss along the boardwalk.