A Birthday Beach Picnic for 35 with a DJ at Tower 28

This September 2022 birthday party started with another party: the host had attended a friend's birthday picnic we set up earlier that year and reached out soon after to plan one of their own. They booked months ahead for a Saturday in mid-September, and the final group came in at about 35 guests at Lifeguard Tower 28.

The picnic ran from noon to 4 pm, with a DJ playing throughout. Lunch came from Mendocino Farms, delivered shortly before guests arrived and set out on a buffet, and a birthday cake was served on a cake stand. Six small floral arrangements decorated the setup.

For games, we set out cornhole and ladder toss. Tower 28, in the Ocean Park section south of the Santa Monica Pier, is a quieter local stretch away from the pier crowds, which is why we suggest it for larger birthdays that want room to spread out.