Date of Visit: 22-23 Sep 2019
I had been to Los Angeles more than 5 times either for work, for travel, or as transit. I had always been drawn to visit Los Angeles’s popular tourist destinations such as the Disneyland Resort, Universal Studio, and Hollywood Walk of Fame in the past.
When I had 2 part days stopover (which is equivalent to 1 full day) at the end of my travel to the eastern parts of the US and Canada in Sep 2019, I decided to explore the Pacific Coast of California near Los Angeles in a car. And I absolutely enjoyed it.
If you have a day in Los Angeles with a car, why not explore the Pacific Coast of California?
Below is a recommended driving route starting at Malibu and ending at Hermosa Beach.
Malibu
Malibu is a city west of Downtown Los Angeles that has only around 13,000 population. However, many celebrities are living in Malibu. Some big names are Leonardo DiCaprio, Mel Gibson, Cher, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Robert Downey Jr., and Cindy Crawford.
It is easy to understand why.
Malibu is close to Los Angeles, and yet it offers a lot more privacy and seclusion and has many beautiful houses with stunning beachfront views.
There are 24 beaches in Malibu and many of them are popular with both locals and tourists. If you are driving, just stop at a nice spot of your choosing along the Pacific Coast Highway and have your quiet moment while enjoying the beautiful views of the Californian coastline and beaches.
Malibu Lagoon, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, and Malibu Pier
Malibu Lagoon and Malibu Lagoon State Beach are located where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. Close by is Malibu Pier, located within the Malibu Lagoon State Beach.
Malibu Lagoon has wetlands, gardens, and sandy beaches. The Lagoon is an estuary for more than 200 species of migrating and native birds. It is no wonder you often see groups of bird-watching enthusiasts here.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is also known as Surfrider Beach for its waves for surfing.
Malibu Pier is popular for its restaurants and shopping and is a good viewing platform for surfers and dolphins.
Although these areas are adjacent to each other, they offer very different and unique visitor experiences.
Downtown Santa Monica
Downtown Santa Monica streets are designed in an easy-to-navigate grid system that you can explore on foot.
The Third Street Promenade is a popular pedestrian-only area shopping, dining, and entertainment district in Downtown Santa Monica. This is where you find well-known stores as well as local designer boutiques.
From Downtown Santa Monica, you can walk on the Colorado Avenue overhead bridge across to Santa Monica Pier.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is the focal point of Santa Monica Beach.
The picturesque Pier has a wide range of family-friendly attractions and activities such as amusement park rides, fairground games, and restaurants well-suited for family outings.
Beach-goers will enjoy the soft sands of Santa Monica Beach and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Philippe’s French Dipped Sandwich Restaurant
I had my first French dipped sandwich from Philippe’s French Dipped Sandwich more than 10 years ago and I was hooked. Almost every time I was in Los Angeles, I visited this restaurant.
You may have heard the story about the origin of the French dipped sandwich. It was created by accident.
In 1918, the original owner Philippe Mathieu served a sandwich accidentally dropped in an oven roasting pan with hot juices to a policeman. When the policemen came back asking for the same sandwich again, French Dipped Sandwich was created.
The sandwich consists of either roast beef, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey, pastrami, or ham served on a lightly textured, freshly baked French roll dipped in roast gravy. The roast gravy is obviously a trade secret.
After a satisfying lunch at Philippe’s French Dipped Sandwich, I went for a relaxing walk in the Runyon Canyon Park.
Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park is an urban park within 5km (~3miles) from Hollywood Boulevard and the famous Hollywood Sign in Griffith Park.
The Park is a popular place for walking, jogging, and hiking.
Who knows? Being so close to Hollywood, you may come face-to-face with some celebrities in the Park.
Runyon Canyon Park is free to visit every day from sunrise to sunset.
At the highpoints within the Park, you’ll have nice views of the neighbourhood residential estates, the Hollywood Sign, and Downtown Los Angeles city skyline.
For hiking routes, you can check out the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Runyon Canyon Park webpage.
The Original Farmers Market
After a walk in Runyon Canyon Park, why not stop at the Original Farmers Market to have a coffee break and a quick visit?
The Original Farmers Market is on the car route from Runyon Canyon Park to Venice Beach.
The 87-year-old Original Farmers Market has always been Los Angeles’s iconic location loved by both locals and tourists. This open-air market features more than 100 gourmet grocers, restaurants and cafes, and a wide range of specialty shops.
You can easily spend a whole day here.
Check out the Original Farmers Market website for shop information.
The Venice Canal Historic District
The Venice Canal Historic District is a very unique district close to Venice Beach.
The man-made canals were designed in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, who wanted to turn the area into Italian-inspired “Venice of America”. However, between the 1930s to 1980s, the area was in a long period of disrepair and some canals were filled.
The canals were drained and renovated and were finally reopened in 1993 with many large and modern houses built.
Today, the Venice Canal Historic District is one of Los Angeles’s finest residential neighbourhoods with many houses priced in their multimillion of US dollars.
It is easy to see why.
There is a feeling of peace and tranquillity when walking the sidewalks along the canals with the uniquely designed houses, gardens, walk-bridges, and boats reflecting into the water.
Venice Beach and Boardwalk
Although originally designed to be inspired by the Italian city Venice, today this area is distinctive Californian and has a very strong free spirit bohemian style and feel.
On Venice Boardwalk you will find many funky shops, street performers, and colourful murals. The open-air Muscle Beach is famously associated with big names such as Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Venice Beach and Boardwalk are free to visit 24 hours a day.
This area is great for people watching – walkers, joggers, roller skaters, cyclists, vendors, shoppers, street performers, and bodybuilders.
Dockweiler State Beach
Dockweiler State Beach offers a wide range of activities from swimming, picnic, beach volleyball, cycling, walking, jogging, roller-blading, sun-tanning or just relaxing on the beach.
The beach is on the Los Angeles International Airport flightpath so you will often see airplanes flying over the beach.
Manhattan Beach
In contrast with Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach is distinctly more laid-back and casual, and family-friendly.
This is where you can admire the impressive beachfront real estate as you walk, jog, cycle, or rollerblade.
Beach volleyball, swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing are also popular activities among locals and visitors. There are plenty of volleyball nets that extend to nearby Hermosa Beach.
The Manhattan Pier is a nice fishing spot.
Stay near the Pier for the breathtaking Manhattan Beach sunset views with stunningly radiant sky towering over the Pacific Ocean, the Pier, and the palm trees on the beach.
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach is very similar to Manhattan Beach – laid-back and casual.
An average summer weekend can bring more than 100,000 people here to enjoy excellent surf, good swimming areas, and a game of beach volleyball.
Surfing is such an important part of Hermosa Beach that Surfers Walk of Fame was created in 2003. Surfers Walk of Fame Weekend is held annually to induct newly chosen inductees to recognise their contributions to the sports.
The Hermosa Beach Pier is a popular fishing spot and is a very pleasant place to walk on. The Hermosa Beach Pier extends toward the Pacific Ocean from Pier Plaza.
Pier Plaza and Pier Avenue are Hermosa Beach’s main shopping, dining and entertainment areas.
Pier Plaza is a community gathering space where community events are held.
Have more time? Continue to drive to Redondo Beach, Torrance Beach, and Malaga Cove.
If you are catching a flight out of Los Angeles, allow enough time for car return and shuttle bus journey from car rental to the airport terminals.
Check out “Travel and Destinations Blogs” for more travel blogs on a wide range of destinations from popular, exotic, unique to obscure. s
Runyon Canyon Park is an urban park in Los Angeles within 5km (~3miles) from Hollywood Boulevard and the famous Hollywood Sign in Griffith Park