USA, Santa Monica

 There is an amazing sense of uplift to the beach town of Santa Monica. It is uniquely California. Hard to imagine California's lure without the sister towns of Santa Monica and Malibu.

Briskwalkers in town have some tough choices. They can

• walk on the Pier and participate in such diverse activities as fishing, finger painting, ice-cream licking and a resplendent ferris wheel,
• walk up the mountain range which straddles the valley and the Pacific ocean,
• walk. run or surf  on the pristine beaches (yes between the two towns there are 25+ seperate beaches)  and yes, hey are free (except for parking, which is still a bargain at $6 to $8 per day!)
• sunbathe or
• just feast---well after you have built up an appetite.

Yes, Santa Monica is home to several award winning restaurants and some authentic British pubs. Not to mention wine bars that feature local fare.

If you are lucky, you will catch a movie being shot on one of the beaches--actually, the Will Rogers beach is very popular.