A Champagne-Ready Beach Picnic with Charcuterie Cups in Ocean Park

For this late-May 2022 celebration near Lifeguard Tower 25/26 in Santa Monica's Ocean Park area, the details did the talking. We set out 24 individual charcuterie cups, four baguettes and two fruit platters so guests could graze, plus 20 Champagne flutes and an ice bucket for anything bubbly.

Four floral arrangements brightened the tables, and an igloo cooler kept drinks cold. Badminton and cornhole gave guests something to do between bites, and the booking included an extra hour so the party didn't have to wrap up early.

Individual charcuterie cups are a smart choice for mid-size groups: each guest gets their own portion, there's no crowding around a single board, and they're easy to grab on the way to a game of cornhole. This stretch of beach, just north of Tower 28, is quieter than the sand near the pier and has parking nearby.