+ to Hermosa Beach and back

When I was 9, my uncle visited us from Arizona and taking pity at my lack of wheels, bought me a purple bicycle which I learned to ride quickly enough, though not very skillfully. It was also the start of an early onset growth spurt (one which sadly, did not keep pace into my teendom) and as such, I sadly outgrew that bike just as quickly. It was the one and only time I rode a bike in Australia.



22 years later, lured by Ben's promise of an exciting outdoors SoCal lifestyle that I too could lead, I tried a few times unsuccessfully to get on a spare bike that Ben's workmate had found in a dumpster (it wasn't as bad as it sounds). It was an exercise fraught with sweat and tears and frankly, could've scarred me for life. Lucky I found Ron Durgin through the League of American Bicyclists. A few dedicated lessons in the carpark by the beach later, and a bonus accompaniment to shops around town, my confidence and balance on my former foe was restored.



Some baby rides later, Maptote in hand, my sweet new bike and I were ready to venture out with Ben for the famous bike path ride from Santa Monica all the way down to Hermosa Beach (The Strand actually starts in Pacific Palisades, 1 up from SM and ends at Torrance County Beach, 2 down from Hermosa.)



You've already seen photos of SM and Venice beaches from this blog, so the story today picks up from Marina Del Rey. After Venice, the path diverts inland for a short while, along Washington Blvd then turns right onto a park path that runs parallel to the marina and eventually around it.



We passed some middle-aged outriggers in training. I'd like to be one of them when I'm older.



After the marina, we joined a small part of the Ballona Creek path which runs east-west, until we hit the lovely footbridge.



We set our bikes down on the bridge and strolled along the Ballona Creek Walkway.



And met an old timer.



At this bridge point after the creek, the path turns left, southbound and from there it gets even more serenely lovely.



Dockweiler Beach has the nicest stretch of relative flatness, open space and and the least amount of beachgoers because of fewer parking options and the LAX planes flying overhead.



And thoughtfully the entire bike path is really well stocked with toilets and other rest areas (for me to catch my breath).



I think it's still Benj's dream that I tandem-cycle with him. Unless I'm donning flares, mutton chops and chunky glasses ala The Goodies, I think they look non-intentionally dorky. Or unless I am part of a power couple like the one below.





This El Segundo stretch was kind of odd. On one side, a massive power plant right on the edge of the path, and the other, a popular destination for surfers and other more active beach folk. However, it is also really scenic owing to the path being so much closer to the water than at any other point, Ballona Creek notwithstanding.



After walking our bikes through the crowded Hermosa Beach strand, we decided this would be the turning point, and end of our ride for this time. I forget the name of the Irish pub we stopped at, but it's right on the corner of the main Hermosa row. Note, the following photo has been included to highlight the "Bama Burger" (probably named after me, if my friends are anything to go by).



And my filling fish'n'chips lunch was bookended by some tasty bloody marys. I would've had even more if I had realised how cheap they were to begin with.



From bloody marys back to Ballona bridge seemed to take an eternity, marked with MANY rest stops for me (I blame the chips I ate) and barely enough energy to lift the camera to take this photo, yikes. I do remember though, how I literally threw the bike to the ground to get off it and look over the bridge.



By the end of it, the 40-mile round trip completely took it out of me. I was spent, and I went home and "napped" for 4 hours straight!

+ minty fresh

We took a long walk on Saturday to the end of Venice Beach, first swinging by to check out the Annenberg Community Beach House at the top of Santa Monica Beach. 5 hours later, I had a burnt red nose and crazily exhausted feet to show for it.


On the way, we came across this apartment block hued with a delightful minty green. I love the beach, mid-century modern American-ness of it all.


Then at Ocean Avenue, just before descending the steps down the bluff, we chanced upon Barbie looking kinda seedy, maybe sleeping off a big night out on the town?


The pool at the Beach House was my reason for the visit. What a shame it's not open year round (it's not even open every day of the week during the season either!) because it just looks so inviting.






A squadron of kites was impressively handled by one man.


I finally got to see Venice's Muscle Beach in action. Forget the muscles though, will you look at those short shorts!!


This photo cost me a dollar (generously paid by Benj)

+ Main Street

Main St is less tourist-orientated than the Third St Promenade precinct of Santa Monica, but still a nice walkable area (especially from the apartment). There are decent cafes, some boutiques and a whole bunch of council buildings.


Like City Hall.


And the Civic Auditorium.


This lovely art deco mural was rather unfortunately painted over in parts with white paint. What a shame. Also, a large mobile home was inconveniently parked in front of it so I couldn't take a wider shot.


I don't know if this is the real deal from the movie, but the store window it was sitting in suggests it could be. It was kept company by an array of vintage tin toys and novelties.


Main St is also an easy distance to the beach.


By the end of the shops in the drag, I found myself on the border of Venice and Santa Monica, though I didn't venture any further south. If cheap, crappy trinkets and airbrushed artworks of reggae artists are your thing, look no further!


These ladies caught my eye though.

+ Malibu

According to the roadsign, on the PCH somewhere near the northern end of Santa Monica, Malibu is only a 6 mile drive away.



It felt a little further than that (though what I would know? I have no point of reference for a drive by any kind of miles) but it was still a whole lot closer than the hour long drives it takes to get from my mum and dad's to Gordon's Bay. It's close enough, is all I'm saying.



Which is a good thing, because I want to try and eat at as many different 'bu establishments along Highway 1 as I can. Places like the iconic Geoffrey's, the Malibu Beach Inn (first spied in the final episode of Entourage season 6!) and Moonshadows Blue Lounge, which first came to my attention by way of Benj.



On this day though we chose the pier as our setting.


It was quite perfect really, a super starving belly met with an almost empty restaurant (though the service was still pretty terribad) and a slowly fading sun closing in on the horizon-ocean backdrop.


Our meal was supplemented by a glamour photo shoot on the beach right below us. It took a while to discern that the possible husband-and-wife couple featured a heavily pregnant lady, dressed in various suggestive outfits, who may or may not have been in the performing arts, being directed by the photographer lady into all manner of seductive poses. It was very LA.


A solid meal later, we drove home with a spectacular orange sky following us all the way down.


Soundtrack: Real Estate "Atlantic City" (wrong coast, I know!)

+ Santa Monica

Ever since he got his fancy camera, I've been on Benj's back to take a sunset photo for me so I can relive it in all its amber glory. Finally... the first of many (I hope). This was taken near the Pier.


The sunsets in Santa Monica are kinda spectacular. Especially when you're at a meeting in a hotel suite during AFM and all you can think of is the incredible orange sky in front of you. Distracting!


This is me last year "working" on the pool deck of Loews Hotel right after the last AFM meeting of the day. Why can't all my work be like this?

+ welcome Benj

This picture comes from Benj (with a little "collaborative tweaking" from me), who will be my guest contributor and co-conspirator. Also, it is he who came up with this blog's neat little name and is also at present, the only one that actually lives 12 blocks from the beach.

The summer warmth has just about gone from the Southern Californian spread... I mean it's even rained in the last week! But the sun did smile for some Albuquerquean visitors of Benj's who were treated to a visit to Huntington Beach.

Do you like how warm and inviting my fauxlaroid looks? Not to take anything away from Benj's lovely original shot but I did that just to drive the point home, because aside from when I visited Santa Monica for the first time aged 9, and rather gingerly dipped my toes in, I have never swum in the North American Pacific Ocean because it is seems so freaking COLD. Always blowy, glassy-looking and not at all inviting, it'll be a long time yet before I get to have a true summer swim in SoCal. In the meantime, enjoy this scene of young Cole braving the icy waters.