An Easygoing Afternoon Beach Party for 70 Visitors from Canada

When a group visiting from Canada planned a June 2024 gathering in Santa Monica, they wanted something less formal than a sit-down dinner: chairs and shade for 60 to 70 people coming and going over the afternoon, an attractive table for anyone who wanted to sit and eat, and a volleyball net.

We set up on the sand in front of Perry's Beach Cafe near Lifeguard Tower 12, starting at 1pm. The layout had 40 picnic seats, half on floor pillows and half on firm tall chairs, plus 20 lounge-style picnic chairs and six beach chairs under three umbrellas for people who wanted to settle in by the water. Perry's catered pizza right next door, and we provided plates, utensils and napkins for 70 along with coolers of water.

Since most guests arrived on foot, a location beside a beachfront cafe made logistics simple: food and the volleyball net all within a few steps.