Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California Sep 5, 2025

Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California

When the sun clocks out in streaks of orange, pink, and purple, Santa Monica goes from laid-back to lit up. Literally. With over 3 miles of sand, a historic pier, and the Pacific Coast Highway keeping things scenic, this beach is more than just a pretty shoreline. Let"s start with the sand. Wide, clean, and ready for volleyball or just flopping down with a good book, it"s ideal for sunbathers and sandcastle architects alike. And yes, "Baywatch" was filmed along Santa Monica Bay. Feel free to run in slow motion.

© EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 5, 2018Salmon migration in full swing
Sep 5, 2019A lush, green escape
Sep 5, 2020Beaver achievers
Sep 5, 2021Venice s grand regatta
Sep 5, 20221934 Labor Day parade, Gastonia, North Carolina
Sep 5, 2023Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
Sep 5, 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 27, 2018A polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
May 11, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
Mar 13, 2026Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-dOlonne, France
Apr 11, 2018Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, China
Dec 30, 2018Adorably evolutionary sea sheep
Apr 9, 2022Light show at the skatepark
Sep 17, 2023Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Nov 4, 2021Diwali
Apr 17, 2021A river runs through it
Jan 21, 2020Observing a squirrelly day
May 31, 2026End of American Wetlands Month
Apr 26, 2026Pink apple blossoms, Avila Beach, California
Mar 16, 2019Quilts as high art
May 7, 2024A duckling swimming in a water meadow, Suffolk, England
Aug 31, 2018Let’s have a ball
Apr 1, 2026National Frog Month
Nov 21, 2018A showcase for future fame
Feb 28, 2020Looking down on the Otter
Dec 18, 2020A towering view of the Pale Mountains
Mar 15, 2020Celebrating 200 years of statehood
Nov 15, 2018‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
Dec 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!
Aug 18, 2022Surströmming Day
Aug 2, 2021This reef is nowhere near the sea…
Apr 23, 2021A house of grand scale(s)
Feb 20, 2019An unlikely friendship in the wild
Oct 10, 2025Visiting the Mamanuca Islands for Fiji Day
Nov 26, 2024Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
Jul 23, 2022National Moth Week
Mar 29, 2023Manatee Appreciation Day