Things to do nearSanta Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is a beloved California landmark stretching over the Pacific Ocean, known for its vintage carousel, seaside amusement park, and sweeping coastal views.
Santa Monica Pier has anchored the southern California coastline since it first opened in 1909, making it one of the oldest surviving pleasure piers on the West Coast. Over the decades it has served as a working municipal pier, a fishing destination, and a center of seaside entertainment, surviving storms, fires, and the shifting tastes of generations of visitors.
Today the pier is best known for Pacific Park, a small amusement park that sits near its midpoint and features a solar-powered Ferris wheel visible from miles along the coast. The Looff Hippodrome, a National Historic Landmark, houses a hand-carved carousel that dates to 1922 and remains one of the finest examples of early-twentieth-century amusement architecture in the country.
Anglers line the railings at the seaward end throughout the day, casting for mackerel, bass, and halibut in the same waters where fishermen worked a hundred years ago. Street performers, portrait artists, and musicians fill the boardwalk on weekends, giving the pier a lively, unhurried character that feels distinct from the broader bustle of Los Angeles.
The views from the far end take in the full arc of Santa Monica Bay, with the Santa Monica Mountains visible to the north and the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south on clear days. Few places along the California coast offer this combination of history, working life, and open-sky beauty in a single walkable stretch.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Santa Monica Pier
Visit during the golden hour before sunset, when the light turns the Ferris wheel amber and the crowds begin to thin.
Try the fish tacos from the vendors near the pier entrance for a quick, satisfying meal with a distinctly local character.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as the ocean breeze picks up significantly once you walk past the midpoint of the pier.
Cast a line from the fishing deck at the far end of the pier, which is open to anglers without a fishing license in California saltwater.
Walk down to the beach below the pier at low tide to see the pilings up close and find a quieter stretch of sand away from the main crowds.
Top tours & experiences near Santa Monica Pier
3.5-Hour Hollywood & Beverly Hills Bus Tour From Santa Monica
Ride an open-air bus from Santa Monica Pier to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Walk of Fame
Customize a Private Los Angeles SUV Tour
Explore LA in a private Cadillac Escalade with a chauffeur–guide
Los Angeles & Hollywood 8.5-Hour Guided Tour
See Hollywood, Beverly Hills and LA beaches in one day
Los Angeles Marilyn Monroe Tour
Trace Marilyn Monroe's Los Angeles story with a private guide
Hollywood Sign & Santa Monica Helicopter Tour in Los Angeles
Fly Over Hollywood Studios, the Hollywood Sign & Santa Monica Pier
37' Beneteau Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail past Santa Monica Pier and set course for Catalina
Private 40' Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey
Cruise farther, swim, and explore the coast on a private yacht charter
Los Angeles Self-Driving Car Guided Tour
Shape a private day across LA landmarks with local guidance and a Waymo ride
Beach E-Bike Rental from Redondo Beach Pier to Santa Monica
Rent a 4-hour e-bike and ride the beach path from Redondo Beach toward Santa Monica
Private Los Angeles Movie Filming Locations Car Tour
Choose 12 Westside film locations and recreate favorite scenes
59' Yacht Charter in Marina Del Rey
Private yacht cruises with karaoke, a dance floor, and room to celebrate
Private Custom Los Angeles Highlights Tour
Shape your own Los Angeles sightseeing route with a flexible guided itinerary
Santa Monica Beginner E-Scooter Rental
Glide the Santa Monica beach bike path on an easy-to-use electric scooter
Los Angeles 5.5-Hour Sightseeing Tour
Explore Los Angeles with multilingual audio and a local driver guide
Private Surf Lesson in Los Angeles
Learn faster with your own private surf instructor
Los Angeles Coastal Cities Guided Tour
Follow Los Angeles' shoreline with local stories and coastal landmarks
65-Minute Los Angeles Grand Helicopter Tour
See LA from Malibu to Downtown on a 65-minute private helicopter flight
Private 51' Sailing Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail a 2024 Beneteau along the coast or toward Catalina
2-Hour Private Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey
Set your own pace on a captain-led yacht cruise from Marina del Rey
Los Angeles FIFA World Cup Helicopter Tour
See World Cup stadiums and Los Angeles landmarks from a private helicopter
Santa Monica 3-Hour Walking Food Tour
Taste Santa Monica’s diverse flavors alongside coastal sights and local food stories
Private Half-Day 42' Catamaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the Southern California coast on a 42' Lagoon catamaran
Private 63' Party Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey
Cruise Marina del Rey with a captain, karaoke, and room to celebrate