Santa Monica Beach & Pier
- Address:200 Santa Monica Pier
- Hours:Beach & pier open daily 24hrs
- Admission:Admission free to beach & pier; some attractions charge entry
Good for Kids, Good Place to Drink, Good Place to Eat, Good Place to Shop, Sunrise / Sunset, Beach, Theme Park
7:39 PM Saturday, May 26
Sunny. Refreshingly cool.
7 day forecast »
You'll instantly recognize it from film and TV: the neon-lit arch of the Santa Monica Pier. Feel the ocean breeze as you stroll past snack shacks, a game arcade, lively entertainers, and anglers to the far tip where the entire arc of the Santa Monica Bay, from Malibu to Palos Verdes unfolds before you.
Kids get their kicks at Pacific Park, with its solar-powered Ferris wheel, kiddy rides, and midway games. Near the pier entrance, nostalgic souls and their offspring can giddy the colorfully hand-painted horses on the vintage merry-go-round. Just below the carousel is Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, where sea stars and sea urchins can be scooped up and petted.
And then there's the wide and long sandy expanse that is Santa Monica Beach. Here you’ll find sunbathers, families, volleyball players, and roller skaters. This is also the spot of the Original Muscle Beach, which still draws fitness fanatics. The South Bay Bicycle Trail, a paved bike and walking path, takes you straight to Venice Beach.
Latest Reviews All Santa Monica Beach & Pier Reviews »
We LOVED this tour! Our guide Barbara was lovely, knowledgeable and even took photos of us! We cycled from San Monica beach to Venice Beach. My favorite part was the Venice canals - amazing area where beautiful houses sit along canals like in Venice! It was relaxing, safe and easy to follow the guide. We stopped several times and Barbara talked about the area and its history. The electric bikes were brilliant and you don't have to pedal if you don't feel like it ;-) I highly recommend this tour as it was the highlight during our vacation in Los Angeles. Continue Reading »
This tour was incredible. The best way to see Santa Monica and Venice Beach! The weather was very nice, even if it was February! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and took a few really nice pictures of us. The bikes were great, I loved being able to pedal when I felt like and also being able to accelerate as if it was a scooter when it was a bit more hilly, or to gain a bit more speed. We got a chance to see everything we wanted to see, including the Venice canals, which were amazing. It was so relaxing, I would definitely do it again, and would recommend it to anyone! Continue Reading »
Great value! We purchased the 2 day Go Pass in LA and we really got our money's worth. We did the Kodak Theater tour, Red Lion Walking Tour, and the Hollywood Homes Tour on the first day. The second day we went to Santa Monica and used the bikes along the pier (very fun) and went on the Warner Brothers Tour in Burbank. Perfect weather and a wonderful vacation overall!
Continue Reading »Practical Info
Santa Monica is west of downtown Los Angeles. Parking is plentiful, especially on Main Street and 2nd and 4th streets, between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard. The electric Tide Shuttle makes a loop from downtown Santa Monica to the beach every 15 minutes. The town of Santa Monica itself is worth a visit for its excellent shopping and dining.
