A Surprise 65th Birthday Sunset Picnic in Santa Monica

Planning a surprise for a parent's 65th birthday, the host wanted a 5pm beach picnic that felt special without being fussy. In June 2025 we set it up on the sand at Lifeguard Tower 12, just north of the Santa Monica Pier.

Early summer evenings on the coast can get cool once the sun drops, so the host asked about keeping guests warm. We added 15 of our beige throw blankets for the group and brought extra low beach chairs, for eight in total, so people could settle in around the picnic tables or sit back and face the water. A bocce set was added for some friendly competition.

The picnic came with our full tableware setup, including glasses and napkins, ready for a birthday toast, plus still and sparkling water on ice. We also shared options for having cheese boards delivered from Huckleberry Cafe to the beach. With the chalkboard message ready when the guest of honor arrived, the setup was in place before the surprise.