ACTIVITIES

Santa Monica Pier

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200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Night time view of rides with lighting

Santa Monica Pier

 

Constructed in 1909, the storied Santa Monica Pier was the first concrete pier on the West Coast. It quickly gained a reputation among locals as the best fishing spot in Santa Monica. The Looff Hippodrome, now a National Historic Landmark and home to a beautiful carousel, opened in 1916, followed by the iconic carousel in 1939. In 1941, the iconic Santa Monica Yacht Harbor neon sign was unveiled; this is the place for the perfect selfie!

For first-time visitors, your first stop should be the Pier Shop & Visitor Center, where you can find maps of the area, branded apparel, visitors guides and a knowledgeable staff. If you’re up for the walk, you can jump on a free Historical Walking Tour; docents will reveal hidden nooks and crannies of the Santa Monica Pier, take you by the famous Muscle Beach and divulge stories about celebrity visitors. Tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am to 12pm

GO FISH

 You don’t need a fishing license to drop a line off the Pier; at the Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle Co. you can get gear, poles, bait and tips from the locals. If you’d rather simply admire the marine life, head to Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium located below the carousel. The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium offers up-close views of indigenous marine life. Stop by for interactive exhibits and hands-on presentations.

BE MERRY

Take a ride on the wooden horses and sleighs of the Santa Monica Pier Carousel. The famous carousel was built in 1939 in the Looff Hippodrome, a National Historic Landmark and one of the few structures remaining from Santa Monica’s original pier.

AMUSE YOURSELF

‘Yahoo Travel’ recently named the family-friendly Pacific Park “California’s Best Amusement Park”. The West Coast’s only amusement park located on a pier features the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, an exhilarating roller coaster that towers 55-feet above the Pacific Ocean, midway games, food and shopping. Pacific Park is open year-round, although seasonal hours vary. Learn more in “How to Spend a Day at Pacific Park.”