Families having fun together create many Summer memories.
Photo by Julia Nilsen Lombari
Between the Pacific Palisades Fire, rebuilding our home, work, volunteer commitments, and life’s endless responsibilities, beach days had quietly disappeared from my calendar. Last weekend, that changed.
Julia and I joined my oldest daughter, her husband visiting from Seattle, several of their local friends, my five-year-old granddaughter Aurora, and my infant grandson for what turned out to be one of those rare Southern California days that reminds you exactly why so many people dream of living here.
The day began with breakfast burritos from Country Kitchen in Malibu. Armed with coffee, breakfast, beach chairs, umbrellas, and enough supplies to comfortably support three generations, we headed toward the sand.
As anyone who spends time on Santa Monica Bay knows, a beach day is not measured by what you accomplish. In fact, its success is often measured by how little you accomplish at all. The marine layer slowly gave way to sunshine. Waves rolled ashore with their familiar rhythm. Adults settled into chairs and conversations. Phones stayed mostly out of sight. For a few hours – permits, insurance claims, construction schedules, emails, and deadlines simply ceased to exist. My granddaughter quickly assumed her self-appointed role as entertainment director. Before long, she had organized a spirited game of charades that managed to involve everyone in our group. Watching adults attempt to act out increasingly ridiculous clues while a five-year-old served as both judge and ringmaster was worth the price of admission alone. Meanwhile, my grandson experienced one of his earliest beach outings, blissfully unaware that he was participating in a Southern California tradition enjoyed by generations before him.
As I sat under the shade of an umbrella, surrounded by family and friends, I found myself reflecting on what makes Santa Monica Bay such a remarkable place. From Marina del Rey to Venice, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu, few coastal destinations in the world offer such a unique combination of natural beauty and accessibility. Wide sandy beaches stretch for miles beneath the backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains. Sailboats drift through Marina del Rey Harbor. Cyclists travel the beach path. Surfers chase waves while volleyball players battle for bragging rights on the sand. Visitors travel thousands of miles to experience what many of us sometimes take for granted.
Each beach community offers its own personality. Marina del Rey combines waterfront dining, harbor views, and some of the best sunset cocktail spots in Los Angeles. Venice offers its unmistakable blend of creativity, artists, and eclectic energy. Santa Monica delivers the iconic pier, Palisades Park, people-watching, and endless opportunities to walk, bike, shop, and dine. Pacific Palisades and Will Rogers State Beach offer a slightly quieter experience, where the dramatic bluffs create a backdrop unlike anywhere else on the bay.
And, then there is the food. A proper beach day can begin with a breakfast burrito from Malibu, continue with fish tacos or a burger near the sand, and end with a cold beer, margarita, or waterfront cocktail as the sun begins its descent into the Pacific. Few places blend outdoor recreation, dining, and scenery quite as effortlessly as Santa Monica Bay.
Yet, as enjoyable as the beaches, restaurants, and ocean views may be, I realized they were not what made this particular day memorable. What made it special was watching three generations share the same patch of sand. It was seeing my daughter and son-in-law create memories with their children. It was hearing laughter carry across a circle of beach chairs. It was watching my granddaughter enthusiastically direct a game of charades while my infant grandson soaked in his surroundings. In a year and a half that has included tremendous loss, displacement, rebuilding, and uncertainty, this simple beach day felt like a reminder of what matters most.
Sometimes, the best reminder of why we love Santa Monica Bay is not found in the ocean views, the beachside restaurants, or the
perfect weather. It is found in a beach chair surrounded by family, watching the next generation make memories of their own.
Richard Lombari is a displaced Pacific Palisades resident,
Real Estate Wealth Advisor with Sotheby’s International Realty, 2nd Vice Commander of American
Legion Post 283, Vice Chair of the Pacific Palisades Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG),
The Salvation Army Santa Monica Board Member, and Santa Monica Family YMCA Board Member.