The beach town of Santa Monica is a hot spot for tourists, couples and local families. During the summer, people of all ages flock to the city to hit the beach, the pier and the promenade. If you're heading to Los Angeles this summer, check out this beach right on the outskirts of the city.

Hit the beach! Pack up a picnic lunch, drinks, towels and sunscreen. Amp up the fun and bring a portable radio. Soak up the sun. Santa Monica Beach may not be the best place to swim in the water, but it's a great place to tan. If you want cleaner ocean water, head a few miles north to Malibu.

Head to the pier. The Santa Monica Pier includes an amusement park, complete with a roller coaster and Ferris wheel. A variety of shops and restaurants line the pier, and many of the restaurants have oceanfront views. There is also a small aquarium underneath the pier.

Shop 'til you drop on Third Street Promenade. This shopping haven is home to a myriad of boutiques, booths and department stores. There are also many restaurants sprinkled in between the shops, like P.F. Chang's and Hooters. On the weekends, the Promenade comes to life with live entertainment--dancers, singers and sometimes odd acts--who put on a show in the middle of the Promenade for cash tips.

Grab seafood at one of the high-rated, notable restaurants that sit along the beach, like Ocean Seafood and the Lobster, which has an oceanfront view (see Resources below).

Hit the bar scene and mix and mingle with Santa Monica's elite at the Temple Bar on Wilshire Boulevard. Each night at Temple Bar offers a different music genre mix, from electronica to hip-hop (see Resources). Or head to the Parlor, Santa Monica's premier sports bar, which features 50 LCD televisions and a DJ.