2024 Santa Monica, CA
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Beach trip. Santa Monica for a long weekend in May, because Sarkantu had a concert to go to, Chaos & Carnage. I did not go with him, and instead I worked and spent a lot of time at the beach. This was the one-bag test run, and I overpacked anyway.
For this trip, applying what Hawaii taught me, I committed to a personal item only. No checked bag, no second chance on the things I overpacked. Despite months of research on the subject, I still had not bought a camera. I was also not yet using noise-canceling headphones. Both of these facts were still future problems.
Getting there
We flew Delta into LAX and stayed at an Airbnb in Santa Monica, which cost $533.09 for the weekend.
Days
Thursday 23 May
Landing and groceries
We landed, got to the Airbnb, and went out for groceries.
Friday 24 May
The beach
Sarkantu went to the concert, and I worked, went to the beach and puttered around town. I walked the beach in the morning and again at sunset, and picked up a boba on the way back.
Saturday 25 May
The farmers market
We went to the Santa Monica Downtown Farmers Market at 8 AM, and afterwards I stood on the bluff above the beach and looked down at the pier.
Sunday 26 May
Home
We flew home on Delta that afternoon, and landed in Minneapolis in the evening.
Where I stayed
An Airbnb in Santa Monica
We rented an Airbnb in Santa Monica for the weekend, with a courtyard garden and seating out back. It cost $533.09.
What I packed
A backpack as my only bag
I brought a backpack as my only bag, with no checked bag. It was too large, and a 15 to 20 L pack would have been right for this trip. I did not pack a long sleeve, and I wish I had.
Lessons
Lessons
- Bring shampoo, conditioner and lotion A bathroom is not a store.
- Pack for a 15 to 20 L bag The backpack was too large, so I filled it, and I still left out a long sleeve. Every ounce matters after 20,000 steps.
- Phone and iPad only Anything more belongs on a work trip. Bring something small and creative instead.
- Talk to the locals They know things. :)
- LAX past security is a miserable walking airport Factor it in.
- Do not count on the showers They probably will not be decent, so sort out a plan before you need one.
- Buy merino and moisture-wicking underclothes Lighter, smaller, and less of everything. Look at Ex Officio.