At Sea Change it can feel like its summer all year long. It was hard to narrow down our favorite West Side spots so here it goes:
Venice Skate Park
1500 Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles, CA 90291
Skateboarding brings an immense amount of pleasure to a huge number of people. Just like people in recovery, skaters come all types of backgrounds but share similar stories and scars.
Venice Beach Skate Park is located right on the sand in beautiful Venice Beach California. The park is a favorite among skaters in California and it definitely deserves it. It’s all about location and it doesn’t get any closer to the beach then the Venice Beach Skate Park. The park is complete with plenty of smooth banks to gain a ton of speed in the flow bowl. There is also a large pool that we would not recommend for beginners but is a popular spot for the qualified vert riders. The street skaters love Venice too, there is a large street section with stair sets, ledges, rails, and boxes. If you are ever in the area you must stop and see the Venice Beach Skate Park.
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Santa Monica, CA Take a walk outside. Breathe in the fresh, crisp air, appreciate the trees and the birds – relax, knowing that everything unfolds just as it should and that you will be okay.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area includes Malibu beaches, hiking trails, and cultural Native American sites. Located adjacent to the city of Los Angeles, the second largest urban area in the United States, the Santa Monica Mountains represent one of the largest protected areas of the Mediterranean-type ecosystem. Spending time in nature can provide an important time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Hiking requires you to be more aware of your surroundings and also of yourself. This heightened sense of self-awareness can lead to revealing emotional discovery and exploration as you embark on both a physical and an emotional journey.
SANTA MONICA PIER AQUARIUM
1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401Watching tropical fish swim around a tank, it can seem like they don’t have a care in the world. Try a visit to Santa Monica’s non-profit community aquarium, operated by the environmental organization Heal the Bay, to learn about and see species of sea life that can be found right in Santa Monica.Aquarium-watching helps reduce stress and anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation. In fact, staring at a fish tank for as little as five minutes has an almost hypnotic effect. Watching fish swim around a tank has health benefits. Research has shown that the tranquility of the fish rubs off on humans, boosting mood and lowering heart rate. The calming effect can lower blood pressure as well as relax the mind.
26 MILE BIKE PARK
Los Angeles, CA
Feel the wind in your face as you accelerate up the winding path: Bicycling offers a sense of serenity.
With its unbeatable weather and bike-friendly streets, Santa Monica is a paradise for two-wheelers. Here at Sea Change, one of our favorite bike routes is the 26-mile bike path that follows the along the ocean. Starting at the Santa Monica pier, this is a popular path for biking, jogging and in-line skating along the Pacific Ocean.
Bicycling can shut down the inner chatter in one’s head and have a meditative effect on a person. It is sometimes the best place to process difficult feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Cycling has also been a major contributing factor in the journey towards health and wellness. Cycling can benefit a person both physically and mentally. Endorphins can increase energy levels and release natural “feel-good” hormones.
SANTA MONICA FARMERS MARKET
Santa Monica, CA
We are so lucky at Sea Change Recovery to be located in Santa Monica: a hub for health and wellness.
Addiction takes such a serious toll on the body. Most people notice right away the emotional toll that addiction takes. However, many addicts don’t realize the physical internal damage that their addiction has done to their bodies. Restoring physical health through good nutrition is an easy and tasty way for recovery.
In Los Angeles, you can find amazing fresh produce at a handful of farmer’s markets running every day of the week. In Santa Monica alone, you’ll find four. During the weekend, there are two Saturday markets located in Downtown Santa Monica – at Arizona Ave between Second and Third Streets, and at Virginia Ave. Park – as well as a Sunday market on Main Street. There you will find nutritious produce, eggs, meat, seafood and other treasures from area farmers.
There’s more to inpatient rehab then just getting sober. We encourage all of our clients to implement experiential therapies as part of their program at our addiction program in Santa Monica as a core tenant of their addiction treatment. Reach out today to learn more here.