Of all the appealing neighbourhoods in San Pedro Alcántara, the seafront paseo has to be one of the best. The several lovely kilometres of pedestrian pathway follow the sea to provide a scenic platform for community amenities, quirky landmarks and an endlessly delightful viewing point.
Everyday, the promenade hosts a variety of different activities; regular groups practising yoga or dance, paddle boarders and kite surfers skimming over or into the sea, or brave gliders circling in the air above. You will sometimes even see martial arts instructors imparting skills with alarmingly long knives, while on winter mornings a happy gaggle of fearsome older ladies can often be spied heading for a paddle in the sea.
When the wind is up and the water rough, the section of sea by the river at the east end of the path will be peppered with enthusiastic surfers, yet if the weather is good the numerous volleyball courts and their overlooking walls to the west of the beach will be full of players and spectators enjoying time out in the sun.
The paseo’s amenities are numerous, well-considered and varied. The public toilets at the halfway point are pleasantly clean and modern, and shaded platoons with wooden decking have been built near the red BBQ skips that can be hired for a minimal fee through the council. A modern aspect is the recently erected plinths with solar-powered USB points on the esplanade, which ensure that no one ever has to leave early, even when their mobile’s charge runs out.
Look out for landmarks
Amongst the most heartwarming things about this coastal path are the quirky landmarks and unusual community projects scattered along the beach. Children, and many adults, will be delighted to find random life size elephant showers set within the copses of palm trees, and what would most towns do with trees that have suffered weather damage or disease? In San Pedro they become part of an initiative where stumps and trunks are chiseled into bird and animal sculptures that create a small oasis of outdoor art.
So, when you head to the playa here you can experience so much more than just lunch at a chiringuito and some sunbathing on a lounger. Expect a delightful stroll, creative wooden carvings, unexpected mammals lurking and a thriving community making the very best of the seaside area of San Pedro Alcántara.