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
Custom Los Angeles Highlights Guided Tour
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Santa Monica Beach Cruiser Rental
Pedal the coast in comfort on a classic single-speed cruiser
Guided 5.5-Hour Los Angeles Sightseeing Tour
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2-Hour Surfboard & Wetsuit Rental in Los Angeles
Reserve a foam longboard or wetsuit and paddle out for 2 hours
Los Angeles Star Homes Tour
Design a private Los Angeles tour around the sights you want to see
Hollywood Sign & Malibu Helicopter Tour in Los Angeles
See Hollywood and the California coast on a 50-minute private helicopter flight
38' Catamaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or Catalina aboard a four-cabin catamaran
3-Hour Marina del Rey Yacht Charter
A captain-tailored private cruise along the Southern California coast
Private Los Angeles Helicopter Tour from Long Beach
Private aerial views from Long Beach to Hollywood
Private Santa Monica Guided Food Tour
Taste Santa Monica's global flavors on a private coastal walking tour
Team Scavenger Hunt Race in Santa Monica & Venice
Turn sightseeing at the shore into a clue-solving competition
Helicopter Tour of Malibu With Landing
Touch down in Malibu and see Los Angeles from a private helicopter
34' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or cruise to Catalina aboard a modern two-cabin yacht
3-Hour Private Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey
Shape your own coastal cruise with a captain-led route tailored to the day
Santa Monica 7-Speed Beach Cruiser Rental
Cruise the coast in comfort with 7 speeds and hand brakes
E-Bike Rental on Santa Monica Beachfront
Cruise Santa Monica's coast with pedal assist and throttle power
Private Los Angeles Beach & City Highlights Tour
Shape a private LA sightseeing route around your must-see stops
Los Angeles Doors-Off Aerial Photography Flight
Frame Los Angeles landmarks with doors-off helicopter access
40' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Charter a 2023 sailboat for coastal or Catalina cruising
4-Hour Yacht Charter in Marina Del Rey
A flexible private yacht escape with time to cruise, swim, and paddle
Los Angeles Private 6-Hour Highlights Tour
Customize your Los Angeles route with flexible stops and pickup
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
Full-Day Los Angeles Tour With Hollywood & Santa Monica Pier
Go beyond drive-by sightseeing with photo stops and time to explore