June’s summer solstice delivers more daylight than any other 24-hour stretch, practically begging Angelenos to savor every golden minute. Rather than defaulting to yet another backyard BBQ, elevate the occasion with local summer events that fuse ocean panoramas with VIP amenities. Below, you’ll find a curated itinerary—sunset yacht charter, shoreline ritual, and post-cruise cocktail scene—designed to turn June 20 into the most luxurious evening of your season.
1. Charter a Sunset Yacht from Marina del Rey
Why Charter?
Nothing says “longest day” like chasing the sun aboard a 60-foot motor yacht. Most premium operators offer three-hour solstice sails timed to depart at 6 p.m. and return by 9 p.m.—just after that last ember drops beneath the horizon. Onboard perks often include:
- Private Chef Station – Think lobster sliders, caviar bumps, and rosé chilled to 45 °F.
- Live Saxophonist or DJ – Cue classic yacht rock or Balearic beats for a modern twist.
- Champagne Send-Off – Crew pops magnums as the captain clears the breakwater.
Booking Tips
Reserve at least two weeks in advance; ask for a top-deck flybridge to maximize photo angles. If your party is under ten, split the charter fee with friends and treat it like an upscale floating supper club.
2. Anchor for a Golden-Hour Polar Bear Dip
Celebrating Summer
Enjoy the official start of summer with a seaside swim at sunset. While anchored off Playa del Rey or Paradise Cove, toss pool steps overboard and invite guests to jump into shimmering 68-degree Pacific water. Provide Turkish towels, plush robes, and a hot-toddy station on deck for a swift warm-up.
Capturing the Moment
Waterproof phone pouches or a drone (flown by crew) immortalize your group dive—perfect content for that midnight Instagram reel.
3. Dock-and-Dine: Post-Cruise Cocktails
Whiskey Red’s, Marina del Rey
Pull into the guest slips and stroll to an outdoor fire-pit table. Their Solstice Spritz—mezcal, passion-fruit, and chamomile—echoes the sunset palette you just witnessed from the water.
Elephante, Santa Monica
Prefer oceanfront glam? Pre-arrange a valet for your rideshare at the pier. Sip frozen rosé and share burrata pizza while Santa Monica’s Ferris wheel lights trace the newly nighttime sky.
4. Alternate Coastal Celebrations If You’re Land-Locked
- Beachfront Sound Bath at Zuma – Malibu wellness studios host 75-minute crystal-bowl sessions that crescendo as the sun dips.
- Solstice Yoga on The Maybourne Rooftop – Beverly Hills’ swank hotel opens its helipad for a candlelit vinyasa flow, followed by mocktails.
- Pacific Park VIP Ferris Wheel Ride – Book the private gondola for two, timed to sunset; a chilled bottle of bubbles awaits in-cab.
5. What to Wear & Pack
- White-on-White Dress Code – Reflective fabrics glow during golden hour and transition seamlessly into evening elegance.
- Layer Light – Linen blazers or cashmere wraps ward off the marine layer without compromising aesthetics.
- Gifts for Guests – Cedar-scented solstice candles or monogrammed silk sleep masks tie the theme together and extend the celebration into dreamland.
Final Glimmer
The summer solstice comes but once a year, offering Angelenos an extra slice of daylight to turn ordinary plans into bucket-list memories. Whether you’re toasting on a private yacht, saluting the setting sun with beachside gongs, or clinking glasses at a rooftop garden, the key is simple: stay present, look west, and let Los Angeles’ most cinematic moment of daylight become your runway to summer.
This June 20, trade routine for ritual—and watch the sky reward you in gold.