The Republican journal., 1903-05-07
California Coney Island.
ONE OF MANY ATTRACTIVE RESORTS
ON THE PACIFIC COAST.


Among the many pleasant ocean beaches
within an hours ride of Los Angeles
no more attractive place can be found
than Santa Monica, the "Coney Island
of the Pacific. One might well exclaim
on arriving here, ''There is land of
pure delight" and 81 am in it,
The first electric line beyond the city
limits of Los Angeles was built in 1896
and this famous resort was the obJec-
tive point. That it has proved sue
cess is shown by the fact that the line
has been double tracked and various
other lines extended in different direc-
tions, forming complete loop called
the Balloon Route" Tourists can,
therefore, choose from three routes,
going one way and returning by anoth-
er, each one ride through veritable
flower garden, where the purple lupine,
the wild yellow mustard and the beau
tiful California poppy line the roadway,
covering the ground to the very tracks.
Orange and lemon groves, and the
grand snow-capped mountains, greet
the eye from every point.
The cars on either route pass directly
by and leave you at the "Arcadlan
Hotel''. which under the management
of tie present proprietor, Mr.. A. d..
Wright. has long enjoyed the reputa-
ton OF being one of the best appointed
and conducted tourists hotels on the
coast. The view from the windows and
broad verandaS is unsurpassed; the
beds are clean and comfortable: the
generous fare placed before you leaves
nothing to he desired, while the table
appointments and cooking are excel
lent.
From the rear of the house looking
beyond the beach as far as the eye can
1enrtlate. nothing but sky and water
cdu ue seeu, but it is not monotonous
fuIIOe eyer-valying foaming surf that
IuMs and tumbes in almost to the
Yuy door is i never-ending source Of
pleasure. And to-day (the 10th the
guests at the Arcadian are treated to a
sight. grand. awful and indescribable; q
storm at sea, To see the 'breaking
waves dashed high" when one looks
from pleasant window is a sight
worth the witnessing.
All day the beach is made attractive
with the men. women and children
gathering MOSES and shells, bathing
in the surf, frolicking on the clean,
white sand. or promenading the broad
plank walk, lined with pretty little cot
tages. Often a large ocean steamer
passes by. at a distance, It's true, and
comes into the long pier which extends
out into the Pacific one mile. This pier
is IN full view of the hotel, and is one
of the sights the tourist takes i'll. 1t is
sad to be the longest pier in the world
As | write l see a large steamer lying
there which passed by a few moments
ago.
There are all sorts of amuSementS to
btguilt the time. In the house are
pleasant reading rooms, billiard tables,
dance haIl and music. Outside ole can
spend hours wandering around the
grounds and admiring the beautiful
flowers which grow i'll lavish profusion
and fill tile air with their fragrance.
Yet people WHO have never been here
will tell you "California flowers are
large. hut have no fragrance. Bowling,
bathing and the plunge bath are all de
cId,diy attractive, the latter especially
toI Ire Spectator, and judging from the
number who avail themselves Of this
pleasure il Is none tie less so for the
participants. They slide head. or feet
inst down a steep chute. and plunge
INTO the water. jump from high plat
form. or take a straight swim as fancy
dictates some of the ladies are fine
swimmers. After the st of May. pos
sl0Iy drinking sea water may be added
to the amusing novelties. as the Area
dian lar is be abolished. Mr.. Wright
SAYS. 1t is feature which is not at
t!aetiye to many of the patrons. and is
Objectionable to the ladies'" a permit
to serve wines in the dining room may
be granted.
There are many delightful walks and
drives around the city and its suburbs.
4 ride of five miles or more on the
smooth. sandy beach, with at least two
of YOUR wheels in the surf, is not with
out its flavor of excitement, especially
if one of the irrepressible waves hap
pens to break over you. The horses are
so accustomed to such treatment they
do not mind it at all; therefore one
need have no fear of anything more
alarming than salt water douche.
At the little town of Sawtelle, some
four miles from Santa Monica, is the
Soldiers Home, and visit there is
most enjoyable The ride by carriage
or electric cars is charming. The
grounds about the homes are hand
somely laid out. Its fiower-bordered
driveways are kept in fine condition
and every spot is utilized for flowers or
shrubs. which are of every known va