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
Tips 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
Santa Monica Beginner E-Scooter Rental
Glide the Santa Monica beach bike path on an easy-to-use electric scooter
Cruise Redondo Beach to Santa Monica on an E-Bike
Rent a 4-hour e-bike and ride the beach path from Redondo Beach toward Santa Monica
Private Surf Lesson in Los Angeles
Learn faster with your own private surf instructor
2-Hour Surfboard & Wetsuit Rental in Los Angeles
Reserve a foam longboard or wetsuit and paddle out for 2 hours
Los Angeles 5.5-Hour Sightseeing Tour
Explore Los Angeles with multilingual audio and a local driver guide
Charter a 42' Catamaran Cruise in Marina Del Rey
Sail the Southern California coast on a 42' Lagoon catamaran
Santa Monica Beach Cruiser Rental
Pedal the coast in comfort on a classic single-speed cruiser
Santa Monica 7-Speed Beach Cruiser Rental
Cruise the coast in comfort with 7 speeds and hand brakes
Electric Bike Rental in Santa Monica Near Santa Monica Pier
Cruise Santa Monica on a light, foldable Jax Rev e-bike
Helicopter Tour of Malibu With Landing
Touch down in Malibu and see Los Angeles from a private helicopter
Los Angeles Doors-Off Aerial Photography Flight
Frame Los Angeles landmarks with doors-off helicopter access
Guided 5.5-Hour Los Angeles Sightseeing Tour
See LA’s landmark neighborhoods with guided stories and time to explore
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
Explore Los Angeles on a 5.5-Hour Guided Tour
See top Los Angeles sights on a narrated 5.5-hour convertible bus tour
Explore Malibu Coast Celebrity Homes Guided Tour
Cruise the Malibu coast in an open-air van with a narrated 5.5-hour route
Hollywood & Beverly Hills Celebrity Homes Tour From Santa Monica
See Hollywood highlights and celebrity homes in 3.5 hours from Santa Monica
Explore Venice Beach On A 4.5-Hour Guided Van Tour
See Venice Beach, canals, and culture on a 4.5-hour guided van tour
Private Santa Monica & Venice Electric Bike Tour
Ride a private e-bike with your group from Santa Monica to Venice highlights
E-Bike Rental on Santa Monica Beachfront
Cruise Santa Monica's coast with pedal assist and throttle power
Los Angeles Star Homes Tour
Design a private Los Angeles tour around the sights you want to see
Santa Monica 3-Hour Walking Food Tour
Taste Santa Monica’s diverse flavors alongside coastal sights and local food stories
Private Santa Monica Guided Food Tour
Taste Santa Monica's global flavors on a private coastal walking tour
37' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail past Santa Monica Pier and set course for Catalina
51' Sailing Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail a 2024 Beneteau along the coast or toward Catalina
38' Catamaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or Catalina aboard a four-cabin catamaran
34' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or cruise to Catalina aboard a modern two-cabin yacht
40' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Charter a 2023 sailboat for coastal or Catalina cruising
42' Catamaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or Catalina with room to relax and stay overnight
47' Trimaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail coastal routes and island escapes aboard a 2023 Neel 47 trimaran
37' Sailboat Charter in Marina Del Rey
Sail the coast or reach Catalina aboard a modern two-cabin cruiser
34' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast, Catalina Island, or the Channel Islands on your own itinerary
46' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or reach Catalina aboard a 3-cabin 2025 Beneteau
Santa Monica Beach Electric Bike Tour
Cruise Santa Monica’s coast with electric power and flexible pedaling
West LA Movie Filming Locations Guided 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
63' Yacht Charter in Marina Del Rey
Cruise Marina del Rey with a captain, karaoke, and room to celebrate
Customized Los Angeles Highlights Guided Tour
Shape your own Los Angeles sightseeing route with a flexible guided itinerary
Los Angeles & Hollywood 8.5-Hour Guided Tour
See Hollywood, Beverly Hills and LA beaches in one day
Los Angeles FIFA World Cup Helicopter Tour
See World Cup stadiums and Los Angeles landmarks from a private helicopter
Custom 5-Hour Los Angeles & Hollywood Private Tour
Design a private LA day around the sights you want to see
Custom Los Angeles Highlights Guided Tour
Design a private LA sightseeing day with a guide and chauffeur
Los Angeles 6-Hour Highlights Tour
Shape a private LA sightseeing route around your must-see stops
Los Angeles Private 6-Hour Highlights Tour
Customize your Los Angeles route with flexible stops and pickup
Los Angeles 60-Minute Helicopter Tour
Private aerial views from Long Beach to Hollywood
Long Beach 45-Minute Helicopter Tour
See Los Angeles beaches and landmarks from a private helicopter
Los Angeles Doors-Off Helicopter Photo Flight
Frame Los Angeles landmarks on a doors-off aerial photo flight
Los Angeles Doors-Off Aerial Photography Flight
Shoot Los Angeles landmarks from a doors-off helicopter
80-Minute Long Beach Helicopter Tour
See Southern California’s coastline, beaches and Los Angeles landmarks from the air
40' Yacht Charter in Marina Del Rey
Cruise farther, swim, and explore the coast on a private yacht charter