The world-famous Muscle Beach, a true California original, lies immediately south of the volleyball courts and is definitely a sight to behold for its impressive array of athletic apparatus as well as the fitness buffs who flock to them. Fully restored and refurbished, the area features chinning bars at various heights, parallel bars, rings, small jungle gyms for children and a padded-safe gymnastics area. The renowned seaside workout venue has attracted suntanned, muscle-bound types since the 1930s and was a particular favorite of celebrities. Visitors will find the history of Muscle Beach detailed on an interpretive sign.

In its heyday, the area drew such luminaries as Buster Crabbe (1932 Olympic gold-medal swimmer and subsequent Paramount movie star), Steve Reeves, Kirk Douglas, Clark Gable, Tyrone Power, Jayne Mansfield, Jane Russell, Mae West, bodybuilders including fitness guru Jack LaLanne (pictured above), Vic Tanny (founder of Tanny Gyms) and his brother Armand, Joe Gold (founder of Gold’s Gym and World Gym), Messrs. Universe John Grimek and George Eiferman, and pioneering female bodybuilder Pudgy Stockton.