If you are a visitor to Southern California, or even a local, one of the best places to run is on Ocean Front Walk that runs along the beach between Santa Monica and Venice.
If you are a compulsive who needs to know how many miles you have run, keep reading.
An avid math guy has used a calibrated wheel to check out half mile landmarks.
Drive to the Santa Monica Pier parking lot and park in the far corner of the main lot.
Ocean Front Walk is at the back of this lot.
Walk away from the pier until you come to a curb on the right side.
Just past the exit of the main lot is your start.
At one time, there was a small yellow paint mark on the curb marking the start.
It may still be there but if not start at the edge of the main lot.
Start running toward the pier, pass under it and continue along the walk past a playground and bike rental shop and behind the ocean front hotels.
For a mile run turn around at the dead end street adjacent to the Shutters Hotel.
Continue until you come to another parking lot and then veer right to the bike way and walk way adjacent to the beach.
Look both ways before crossing the bike way.
Some cyclists assume that pedestrians cross at their own risk.
Do not run on the bike path.
Stay on the walkway.
The paths will make a half left by a toddler playground.
Turn around here for two miles.
Run by the playground and a refreshment stand/bike rental area and back right to the walk along the beach.
After a long straight way, the path will turn left for a few hundred feet and pass behind a townhouse area.
You will see a couple of manhole covers in the walk and bike path.
Turn around here for three miles.
Continue straight through, observing the local stalls and street performers.
Eventually you will see a row of stores in a long red brick building.
Look for a wheel chair lift adjacent to the brick stairs.
Turn here for four miles.
Continue running by a collection of both old and new Venice architecture.
Soon you will see a park area with rest rooms on your right.
Cross Market Street and continue until you are even with the paddle ball courts.
Look for Jody Maroni's Hotdogs on your left.
Congratulations, you have run two and a half miles.
Turn around, head back, and know that you have experienced a unique run and on a good day have seen some of the area's more colorful residents.