Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California, United States Sep 6, 2025

When the sun clocks out in streaks of orange, pink and purple, Santa Monica State Beach in California, United States, goes from laid-back to lit up. Literally. With over 4 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. 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.

© EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece
A real fun guy…er, squirrel
Sep 6, 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 14, 2025Makar Sankranti
We can all just get along
Aug 9, 2024Hang Sơn Đoòng, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam
Jul 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
Dec 22, 2023Red Fort, Delhi
Sunlight turning silver to gold
Nov 11, 2023Chinese fishing nets in Kochi, India
A natural spotlight
Jan 20, 2026Penguin Awareness Day
Nov 12, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Mar 22, 2026World Water Day
Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
A one-of-a-kind splash
On the trail of the Indian eagle-owl
Apr 26, 2026Pink apple blossoms, Avila Beach, California, United States
A small but mighty guardian
A glimpse of the grandest of canyons
Sep 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Jan 30, 2024Martyrs’ Day
Apr 23, 2024World Book Day
Jun 8, 2024Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska, USA
Jan 25, 2024Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Bridging past and present
The other great barrier reef
Mar 21, 2025Happy International Day of Forests!
A dramatic celebration of peace
Mar 6, 2026The Wave, Vejle, Denmark
Aug 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
This clever bird passes with flying colours
Aug 26, 2024Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge