Is it worth going to Santa Monica Pier?
Yes it is! The glistening sun, approachable waves, and scenic views are synonymous with Santa Monica Pier. This world-acclaimed tourist attraction continues to stand out as one of the premier places to visit in California.
Set up during the early 1900s, Santa Monica Pier was initially reserved as a rugged concrete pier with a chocolate-box view of the ocean. Over time, it became a desirable fishing spot before being turned into a festival-like atmosphere with the carousel, restaurants, and welcoming faces.
We recently visited the Santa Monica Pier and our favorite part was the emojis displayed by the Pacific Wheel, the pier’s famous Ferris Wheel. We recommend spending at least a few hours here. Here’s why it’s worth visiting the Santa Monica Pier:
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Planning your trip to Santa Monica? Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:
📸 Best Tours In Santa Monica:
- Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica
- Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour
- Santa Monica to Marina Del Rey e-Bike Beach Tour (ages 10-65)
- Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More
- Delicious Donut Tour (try the iconic Randy’s Donuts)
😴 Best Hotels In Santa Monica:
- HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel (💲) (2 miles from Venice Boardwalk)
- Huntley Santa Monica Beach (💲💲) (8-min walk to 3rd Street Promenade)
- Shutters On The Beach (💲💲💲) (be treated like a celebrity!)
🚘 Best Car Rental In Santa Monica: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)
Is It Worth Going To Santa Monica Pier?
Yes, it’s worth it! Santa Monica Pier is a timeless attraction with its attractive sightlines, pleasant ambiance, and entertaining rides. It’s one of the best FREE things to do in LA.
Whether it’s spending time on the carousel or lounging on a nearby bench watching the Pacific Ocean’s calm waves, this is an experience that’s simply unforgettable.
It’s a must-see for those who want to appreciate the natural aesthetic of California.
Best Things To Do In Santa Monica Pier
1. Pacific Park
Address – 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Pacific Park is a delightful location offering a fun-filled experience for visitors of all ages.
Whether it’s kids or adults, Pacific Park is a memorable place to be with its world-famous Ferris Wheel, iconic games, and of course the adored Merry-Go-Round.
This park is situated past the Playland Arcade and is a perfect place to spend a few hours after munching on goodies at one of the restaurants.
During the night, this entire park is illuminated with a flourish of colors creating an extraordinary sight straight out of a movie.
2. Santa Monica Yacht Harbor
Address – 402 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Santa Monica Yacht Harbor is noticeable by its acclaimed white and blue arch, which is located on Ocean Avenue.
It’s common for people to want to stop by, take a few pictures, and appreciate the historic nature of this arch.
It’s highly recommended to walk around the area, head to the start of the pier, enjoy the gorgeous platform, and watch as the sightline unfolds in front of you with each step. It’s quite the experience for those who have never been to Santa Monica Pier.
3. Heal the Bay Aquarium
Address – 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Love learning about aquatic wildlife? Heal The Bay Aquarium is a fascinating facility with access to some of the most incredible aquatic creatures on the planet.
This includes local animals such as moray eels, jellyfish, seahorses, stingrays, and more.
It’s best to spend time walking around inside the aquarium, exploring its various exhibits, and appreciating the wildlife in front of you. It allows you to immerse yourself by learning more about these animals.
Hours of Operation – Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier remains open from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Please note hours may vary for special events and/or inclement weather. These updates are found on the official Santa Monica Pier website.
Santa Monica Pier Ride Hours
- Monday: 6 AM – 7:30 PM
- Tuesday: 6 AM – 7:30 PM
- Wednesday: 6 AM – 7:30 PM
- Thursday: 6 AM – 7:30 PM
- Friday: 6 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 6 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 6 AM – 9:00 PM
Once again, the ride hours can vary depending on special events on-site and/or inclement weather during the year. These are updated on the official Santa Monica Pier website.
How To Get To Santa Monica Pier
Address – 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
By Car
🚘 Pacific Coast Highway (South)
For those coming from the Pacific Coast Highway, it’s recommended to head straight to the Lot 1 North access point close to the beach.
To do this, head towards the pier by passing the California Incline and going into the McClure Tunnel.
Remember to stay to the right, which will allow for easier access to Lot 1 North. From this point, go to the Pier deck, exit to the California Incline, and then begin to drive to Ocean Avenue.
This will now allow you to turn right onto Ocean Avenue before heading to the Pier bridge on the right-hand side at Colorado Boulevard.
If you need a car to Santa Monica Pier, here’s all the info you need to rent one in Los Angeles.
🚘 I-10 (West)
For those coming from I-10 West, start by exiting 1-A onto 4th & 5th Streets. From this point, remain on the right-hand land before turning onto 4th Street at the intersection.
From here, turn left onto Colorado Boulevard and continue to drive toward Ocean Avenue.
At Ocean Avenue, turn left and continue to Seaside Terrace before turning right. Continue until you see Appian Way and then turn right onto this street before going to Lot 1 North.
By Bus
🚍 Metro
Metro is the name of Los Angeles’ main transportation service. Metro is designed with miles of well-placed lines, which allow for continued access to the Santa Monica Pier.
Metro Bus 534 has a stop at Ocean Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. It’s also possible to access a bus stop near 4th Street, which has a bus that goes to Downtown LA. Check the bus routes to see which one suits your location and times.
🚍 Big Blue Bus
Santa Monica has a transportation service, which provides continued access to the Pier from Downtown Santa Monica and the main university in the area (UCLA).
Big Blue Bus will come to a stop around Ocean Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Buses go back and forth from Downtown Santa Monica to Koreatown, Culver City, Wilshire Boulevard, and LAX.
It’s best to check the bus schedule on the official website to see which route is convenient for your situation.
By Train
For those wishing to take a train to Santa Monica Pier, it’s best to use the Metro Expo Line.
This is going to go from around Metro Center and 7th in Downtown Los Angeles straight to the Downtown Santa Monica Station.
This is going to drop you at Colorado Avenue and 4th Street.
This is a common solution for those who want to get to the area from Downtown LA as fast as possible. It will take less than an hour to complete the trip (one-way).
The reason many people prefer this option is it’s affordable and a train will be available every 10 minutes or so during rush hours. At a maximum, a train will come every 20 minutes.
When you are at the Downtown Santa Monica Station, you will want to walk onto Colorado Avenue, head towards Ocean Avenue, and then walk to the Pier Bridge. This will take 8-10 minutes.
Parking At Santa Monica Pier
The main parking deck at Santa Monica Pier is open from 9 AM to 8 PM.
You can access the Beach lot (1550 Appian Way), which is also known as Lot 1 North. There are additional parking spots at Bicknell and Ocean Avenue (Beach Lot 4-South) and the Downtown Public Parking Structures.
During peak season, it’s hard to find a parking spot and it’s best to consider using rideshare services, trains, or buses to get to the Pier Bridge.
For those wanting access to EV Charging Stations on-site, it’s recommended to park in the Beach Lots such as Beach Lot 4-South.
Best Restaurants In Santa Monica Pier
🍽️ Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café
Address – 1615 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The aroma of well-cooked food is matchless when walking into Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café.
Whether it’s the iconic beach view, ice-cold beer, or the never-ending supply of snacks during the day, there’s a Californian charm about this place that’s unforgettable.
It’s best to come here when a big game is on whether it’s basketball, football, or baseball.
This is a great place for sports enthusiasts as people head to the bar and watch alongside passionate fans.
🍽️ The Lobster
Address – 1602 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
This world-renowned Michelin restaurant in the area is first-class for all the right reasons.
It’s upscale, well-kept, and has that ambiance to it that will help you relax after walking around.
It’s manned by the famous chef Govind Armstrong and the menu offers a jam-packed selection of delicious foods.
Pick and choose to your heart’s content and have a memorable meal with your loved ones here. It’s worth the price of admission.
🍽️ Bruno’s
Address – 1652 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The pizza is to die for at Bruno’s. Sometimes, all you want is a slice of pizza made with love and care, which is what you will get at Bruno’s right away.
This world-class Italian restaurant offers a wide array of premium Italian dishes adding a bit of flourish to your experience at the Pier.
It’s been located here for over 3 decades and continues to be a staple adored by locals and tourists wanting tasty Italian food. It simply does not get better than this.
Where to Stay In Santa Monica
Santa Monica has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:
Budget-Friendly Option: HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel
Mid-Priced Option: Huntley Santa Monica Beach
Lux Option: Shutters On The Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Santa Monica Pier is not in Los Angeles. It’s located in a city called Santa Monica, which is in Los Angeles County. The city of Los Angeles is an 18-minute drive from Santa Monica Pier.
Santa Monica Pier is an iconic attraction and is frequently visited by those wanting to enjoy the sparkling water, warm-hearted beach vibes, and world-class eateries all packed in one place.
It’s a place that offers a beautiful insight into the laidback Californian vibes everyone wishes to experience at least once in their life while traveling to LA.
Both are world-class. Santa Monica Pier is an all-encompassing attraction that’s fun during the day and night. While Venice Beach offers a world-class beach experience with warm sand, calm waters, and gorgeous views during the day.
The best time to visit Santa Monica Pier is between June to September when the water is calmer and the weather is good. However, it’s open throughout the year and offers many things to do whenever you go.
Final Thoughts
So it is worth going to Santa Monica Pier? It sure is! It’s a world-class attraction with entertaining rides, tremendous restaurants, and endless beautiful views from one end to the other.
Those wanting to experience the natural charm of life in California will want to head to the Pier.
It’s an experience that will be remembered for a long time to come whether it’s sitting on a beach soaking it all in or enjoying the various activities nearby. This is a must-see for those visiting Los Angeles.
If you’re deciding between Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, our guide on which one is better will help you out!
This post was originally contributed by Amanda from Unplugged Travel, with additional updates and personal insights by Shreeyeh Rajan from Bae Area and Beyond.
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Santa Monica Pier Or Venice Beach – Which Is Better?
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54 Things To Do in Los Angeles That Will Change How You See the City
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