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California Coastal Trail

Santa Monica: A Fortunate City With a Bright Future

Season 1 Episode 16

Ask most people around the globe to name a beach near Los Angeles, and the answer will probably be Santa Monica. From the city's iconic 100-year-old pier to Muscle Beach to its role as the backdrop of the television series, "Baywatch," Santa Monica is one of the most viewed beaches in the world. This five-mile stretch of coast receives over 5 million visitors a year!

Visitors can use a dedicated bike path and walkways along the beach to attend a free summer concert series in this coastal town on the western edge of Los Angeles. "We love the fact that the public has this kind of access to and through Santa Monica on the Coastal Trail," declares Kevin McKeown, the mayor of Santa Monica. And with its reliable public transit options, including a future Metro light rail stop, McKeown emphasizes that "Santa Monica has very consciously tried to design itself as a human-scaled city by the beach." The community has a bright future, and continues to beckon people from around the world to its friendly shores.

Support Provided By
Newport Beach: Hanging Out at the Pier
5:32
Newport Beach's coastal center is undoubtedly around its namesake pier selling fresh fish.
Little Corona del Mar Beach
5:02
Little Corona del Mar Beach makes up for its size with a bounty of tide pools.
San Clemente
5:10
San Clemente's coast is 2.3 miles of beautifully constructed trail, and 11 beaches.
Ocean Discovery Institute
4:13
Enter Ocean Discovery Institute, founded 1999 to help fill in gaps in science education.
Oceanside Transit Center
3:21
San Diego's coastline is fortunate enough to be hugged by a major rail artery.
Border Field State Park
1:39
At the most southern end of the California Coastal Trail you find classic, sandy beaches.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
4:23
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography continues to honor its 100 year legacy.
The Scripps Wave Phox
5:39
This segment features a profile of Phil Breshnahan, a sixth year Ph.D. candidate.
Coronado: Where the Beach Sparkles
4:22
Explore the vast expanse and beauty of Coronado and its neighboring coastal communities.
Tijuana Estuary
3:49
The Tijuana Estuary is a coastal salt marsh where the tides come and go, like the ocean.
From Border to Border
2:18
The CCT may someday become as recognizable as other famous American routes.
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