Who needs a fancy beach club in Santa Monica? Back on the Beach Cafe offers delicious food on sand neighboring the Anenberg Beach House and exclusive clubs.

We were so delighted to rediscover Back on the Beach Cafe on July 4th when a flat tire on one of our bikes forced us to pit stop there.  This bustling little restaurant sits on some prime real estate in Santa Monica-- right on the sand neighboring the gorgeous Anenberg Beach House, elite members only beach clubs, and $20 million homes.

Cycle right up on the bike path, have a delicious lunch -- we love their turkey burgers and the salads are enormous-- and then rent an umbrella, beach chairs and a volleyball, and hit the beach in front of the restaurant.  Back on the Beach offers rentals of umbrellas, beach chairs, soccer balls, volleyballs, bike locks, boogie boards and sells sunscreen, hats and t-shirts.  The stretch of beach in this part of Santa Monica is lovely and makes us chuckle to think that the folks at the posh beach club next door paid thousands of dollars to perch in their chair, while we paid $7!

You won't be able to swill a sunset cocktail on the sand at Back on the Beach (legally!), but they do serve alcohol inside as well as dinner until 8pm.  They're also known for their breakfast.

We love our full service "beach club!"