Original Muscle Beach Santa Monica

"A haven for Black beachgoers in the 1930s and 1940s, known for its significance in the history of Black surfers, like Nick Gabaldón." - Natalie Preddie Natalie Preddie Natalie Preddie is a travel writer and broadcaster based in Toronto, Ontario. She is the mother of three little boys and focuses on family and BIPOC travel. Natalie has bylines in The Globe and

"Southern California’s Santa Monica is a long-beloved vacation hotspot that appeals to glamorous jetsetters and traveling families alike. It features a sandy, boardwalk-flanked beach, a lush mountain range, and is the westernmost point of Route 66. The city offers iconic attractions like the Ferris Wheel along the pier, Palisades Park, and Muscle Beach. Santa Monica also benefits from its proximity to West Hollywood, Malibu, and DTLA, offering great shopping, award-winning dining, and art institutions like Bergamot Station Arts Center. Recent luxury hotel developments, such as Santa Monica Proper Hotel and Regent Santa Monica Beach, have made it an even more desirable destination." - Chadner Navarro Chadner Navarro Chadner Navarro is a writer and editor who specializes in travel, food, design, and culture. He was born in Manila, grew up in New Jersey, and travels often. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines