“Let us die young or let us live forever
Heaven can wait we’re only watching the skies
Turn our golden faces into the sun…
Forever young, I want to be forever young.”
– Alphaville
Sometimes I feel, or rather know, that this blog is mostly a pipe dream. Like volleyball, I pour my heart and soul into it knowing that this won’t pay my bills and yet I do it anyway. On the surface, you’ll find a practical and pragmatic woman but deep down there’s still that little girl with dreams of escaping the monotony of life. I’m pretty lucky to have friends who add color to this perfectly ordinary existence. So when my friend suggested playing some beach volleyball in Santa Monica how could I possibly resist?
Santa Monica Pier is a famous tourist attraction. Even on a regular weekday, the place is extremely crowded. There are tons of parking ranging from $3/hour all the way to $15/day close to the beach. You could also park for 90 minutes free in Downtown Santa Monica but it is a bit of a walk to the pier from there.
You’re probably wondering why I’m recommending a place that is crowded, charge expensive parking fees, and famous for gridlock traffic. The thing is, the pier is full of life. I mean how fun is it to ride a rollercoaster with the ocean as a view? It also holds special memories. I took my first surfing classes there, which was an epic fail by the way, but who cares? Did I also mention that the sand is perfect for beach volleyball?
We played til sundown. I would have stayed til midnight if my shoulder and back weren’t bothering me. If only I were in my 20s again. On the way back to our parking, the view of the pier was stunning. I just had to take a picture.
Tips for this trip.
1. If you want to avoid crowds, the best time to go is early in the morning.
2. Bring change for parking.
3. Please check my post Beachin’ Day at Mandalay for other recommended beach gears.
4. If you want to play some beach volleyball. All you need are the following:
Disclosure: Please be aware I get commissions for purchases made through
links in this post at no additional cost to you. Please read Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
Beach Volleyball
Wilson Official AVP Outdoor Volleyball
Sand Socks (I only recommend wearing this in the summer because the sand gets really hot)
Vincere Unisex Sand Socks Neoprene Beach Scuba Snorkel Shoes (Black, Medium)
roads bel travelled 
Amazing.
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Thanks!
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I grew up in west LA and in high school played two man beach volleyball at sorento beach, which is north of the pier, at the end of San Vicente. If we got there early we surfed and or skim boarded. Great times. High school sucked but the best was great.
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Sounds like great memories! Doubles volleyball is the best especially on the beach…😊 Thanks for sharing!
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I doubt I could last ten minutes playing on sand now, but that was then….
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Yeah it takes a lot to play on sand. I usually play volleyball indoors or grass…So my stamina on sand isn’t as great!
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My guess is I’m considerably older than you so for me, a piece of it is age, just can’t do what I used to do. No problem, I do other stuff now.
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I’m sure you could still beat me on the sand. It’s not something I do often just a couple of times a year – I prefer grass because I don’t live close to the beach.
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Keep going, information is the key for travellers & all, great photos !
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Thank you! 😊
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Such great photos! Your content is great as well, but your photos are really the ones that made an impact to me. Makes me miss my family as I am working overseas. Volleyball is my sister’s favorite sport, and the beach photo really reminds me of my hometown =)
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Thank you! I appreciate your comment. I’m glad you liked the photographs and that it reminds you of your hometown. Volleyball is such a fun sport 😊
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Vibrant colours
Nice writeup
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Thank you 😊
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My pleasure
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Love these shots!
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Thank you 😊
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Beautiful pictures!
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Thank you 😊
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Oh My! I so loved your post! Makes me homesick for California – a bit. Fantastic photos and a wonderful post! Yes, unfortunately not many get to do what they love and make a living at it too. Who designed life anyway??? LOL! Really Stunning photos!
Chuck
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Yeah, who designed life anyway? This world would be a better place if everyone was happily doing what they love. No room for broken hopes and dreams 😊 Thanks, Chuck! Glad you liked the photos 😊
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Firstly, I just love the narrative! The feeling not being certain about blog but still putting 100% to it! I can sort of relate to it 🙂 Secondly, the pictures are beautiful as always.
Cheers, Charu
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Hi, Charu! Yeah, it’s tough and takes time which I’m constantly battling with especially when life gets in the way 😊
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Yeah, it is! Moreover, we know that blogging or travel writing is not highly paid though it requires lot of effort to make a good post with pictures and all.
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Used to play volleyball regularly way back … your post brought back very fond memories😊 thank you Bel ..
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I’m glad it brought back good memories for you. It’s never too late to get back into the volleyball again 😊
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Yes indeed totally agree with you on that.
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Wow stunning photos, thank you so much for sharing! 😊 I haven’t played volleyball in years (due to lack of a nearby beach), so I’ll definitely have to try it again soon!
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Thank you! Yes, beach volleyball is a lot of fun and I love that you can dive for a ball and not get hurt 😂 Glad to
know you’ll be getting back into the game again.
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Great description and post. Thanks for sharing. I only ‘got into’ volleyball earlier this year. A student loved played, had organised a competition and wanted some of the foreign teachers to join in. I was the only one who did, and I’d never played volleyball before. The others too pity on me, but although it hurt it was a lot of fun. I haven’t played beach volleyball though!
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You definitely should continue playing. It’s so much fun 😊
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Beautiful pics..awesome
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Thanks!
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I visited California last year and loved Santa Monica! These pics definitely make me want to pack my bags and go back for another visit! 😉
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Yeah, Santa Monica is pretty cool. You definitely should go back for another visit 😊
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Loved the opening borrowed from Alphaville, one of my favorites…hope to see you around again soon
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Thanks! Alphaville rocks 😊 Yeah – I have tons of catching up to do on my blogging and reading blogs. It’s been way too busy – life gets in the way 😊
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I like your post 😊.
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Thank you!
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Adventures are big , small and no matter where even in your thoughts, the longing to travel and be free is also a beautiful place to manifest possibility and opportunity toward the open wings of freedom..thank u for sharing.
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Thank you for your lovely words Kerri. 😊
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Love Santa Monica! My favorite Southern California destination to visit! Beautiful photos. ❤
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There’s so much to do and see in Santa Monica. Full of life and activities! Thank you 😊
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As Always enjoyed the post as well as the pictures.
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Thanks, Eric! 😊
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Rewind memories of my beach days….nice clicks
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Thanks. Glad to have brought back good beach memories for you 😊
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thanks for that
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Beautiful photos! thank you!
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Glad you liked it! 😊
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WOW!! My favorite the Sunset. Beautifully captured
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Thank you 😊
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Wonderful photos and journey!
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Thank you!
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… May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young…
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That’s a Bob Dylan song…❤️ May we all stay forever young at heart 😊
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Cool blog and nice pictures!
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Thank you! 😊
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its beautiful, really is! great pics.!
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Thank you! 😊
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Another great song Bel (and I know this one;) ). Reminds me of my younger days (waaaaaayyyy back) when beach volleyball took the place of Calculus or Physics. Good times. Good times…
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Omg! You played too? I used to recruit players like it was nobody’s business 😂 My friends used to tease me that I should have taken a Master’s Degree in doubles volleyball😜 Forever young is classic – how could it not be a great song? What I would give to be 21 again….😊
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hehehe not to brag… but I could TOTALLY rock the Top Gun High Five 😉 (which obviously means I was a gifted baller)
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Lol, Gabe! We all know that’s totally a game changer 😜
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The water and sun soothe body and soul. It is good to be in nature and lose yourself in the moment with volleyball. Who can tire of beach sand? I prefer less crowded places but this too is fun. ^__^
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Right? There’s something about it that can make you forget the crowd and it’s so vast that you can still find your space away from it all. 😊
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Being in the moment…
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Exactly 😊❤️
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Love is post. Thanks for a fantastic read!
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Thank you! 😊
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Great photos! Makes me want to play volleyball again haha
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Thanks! Yeah, you totally should play vball again. 😊👍
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Thank you Bel, Your site is inspiring! Your photos are beautiful! You make me want to go places myself. Your dream is as strong as your heart. Keep being that little girl deep down. That’s where you’re Real. 😌
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Lol the problems of a dreamer right? 😊 I love your comment and I’ll try my best to not give up on my dreams. Thank you so much! 😊
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Beautiful photos! Beautiful penned! Love the post!
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Thanks a lot. Truly appreciate it! 😊
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welcome
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We had never heard of sand socks until my daughter played soccer in the sand in Grand Haven, Michigan! Those things were life savers!
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Especially during Summer! The heat will burn your soles. I use it a lot when I play beach volleyball. You are right. It is a lifesaver.
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Such lovely pictures, and a lovely place.
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Santa Monica is really lovely! Thank you 😊
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Being that this is the first post I’m reading of yours it’s refreshing to be able to get to know a sliver of you through your adventures. Thank you for sharing
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I appreciate it. Glad you liked it! 😊
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Absolutely wonderful place truly looks like a dream come true
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Thank you! Santa Monica is a great place.
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Gosh, if I only could pack my suitecase immediately and take a plane to L.A….
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Lol! Right? Especially during summer when the beach is sizzling 😊
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Wow. Gorgeous vista’s. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome 😊
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Reblogged this on Brainy Versatility.
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Thanks for the reblog 😊
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Great pics!
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Thank you 😊
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Beautiful photos, Bel, and they complement your words – that sunsets inevitably fall on our youths. Each age brings it sunsets and sunrises, losses and gains. Just enjoy every minute, and remember the wisdom in the cliche – You are only as old as you feel.
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Lol! Now why do I wish I had those exact words before I wrote this post. I love the way you phrased it. Thank you Diana for your words of wisdom. It is true – we are only as old as we feel 😊
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Great photos Bel. It is so good you had the chance to play volley ball again. Even if you are beyond your 20’s you’ll always have the memories of your play. They will be replaced by as good if not better ones.
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Hi Tom and Audrey. Yeah, the older I get the more I realize what’s important and I am looking forward to that in a lot of ways. The awesome thing about volleyball is when I travel – if there’a some pick up volleyball near the area I get to play and meet new people. The best of both worlds 😊
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This is great that you are getting out there and doing it!!! Love it. You are keeping yourself young in doing so.
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Young at heart ❤️ I appreciate the kind words as always…😊
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You are welcome Bel. Be safe.
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Hi! Love your pictures…nice post Bel 🙂
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Thank you 😊
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I’ve been there! Awesome photos, thank you!
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It’s such a nice beach and there’s so much going on all the time. 😊 Thank you!
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I would love to play beach volleyball in this setting! The last photo is wonderful Bel.
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Do you play volleyball too? The sport is so much fun. You’re right about the setting it’s hard to concentrate when the view is amazing! 😊
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Yes, I love volleyball and played for about 20 years, but gave it up due to chronic pain.
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Oh wow! I’m sure I have to give it up sooner rather than later because of my shoulder injury. I’m not looking forward to that – too bad you had chronic pain and can’t play anymore. 😕
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Thanks Bel. I decided to give it up before chronic pain became permanent. 🙂
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Beautiful pictures … awesome adventure!
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Thank you! It was a lovely night as well. The weather cooperated. 😊
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