THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS

Would you rather go to an outdoor concert or relax on the beach at sunset? Thanks to the Twilight Concerts, a series of free live music events held Thursday evenings on the Santa Monica Pier, life’s hardest question answers itself. The summer concert series, now in its 33rd year, is going strong and it’s plain to see why.

It’s an easy and fun way to enjoy the summer sunlight and perfect weather. Grab your bike and blanket and hit the bike path. One pro tip is to park as far away from venue as possible and enjoy the picturesque bike ride up to the pier. It’s a true johnnie-O experience all around. Pack a picnic, arrive early to get a spot on the sand near the speakers and enjoy, as the sunset sets with crashing waves in the distance—it’s a quintessential L.A. music experience and one of the best parts about summers in L.A.

The free concerts go from 7 to 10 p.m., and typically attract a crowd, so arrive early to stake out a good spot on the beach. The event organizers recommend taking public transportation, biking (there’s a bike valet because…Santa Monica), or using a ride share program to avoid waiting an hour in traffic to get out of Santa Monica after the show

Each year, this free summer concert series wows with local, up-and-coming talent that concert-goers are already bragging they saw “back when.” Each Thursday from July through September, Santa Monica Pier hosts live music that’s 100% free.