Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California, United States

A pier-fect evening. Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California, United States

When the sun clocks out in streaks of orange, pink and purple, Santa Monica, in California, United States, goes from laid-back to lit up. Literally. With almost 5 kilometres 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.

Then there's the Santa Monica Pier. Built in 1909 and still standing tall on wooden legs, it's got an amusement park called Pacific Park, arcade, restaurants and that famous solar-powered Ferris wheel. Up for more movement? The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, or the Strand, is a 35-kilometre bike path that zips right through the beach. While here, people can rent a cruiser and ride past rollerbladers, dog walkers and tourists trying to juggle ice cream and selfies. Here, the surf is another draw. Beginners can catch their first wave here, while pros keep an eye on the swells further out.