Santa Monica Pier

Los Angeles, California Travel Guide

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Santa Monica Pier

Overview: The Santa Monica Pier is a feature attraction at the Santa Monica Beach and Los Angeles as a whole. The Santa Monica Pier is located off of Colorado Ave and Ocean Ave Ave. There is a long, steep bridge leading to the pier.

The Santa Monica Pier draws a mob of folks every day, regardless of the time of year. The crowd invites vendors of every kind: caricature artists, vendors selling knick-knacks, ice cream vendors and more. Even one of L.A.’s top radio stations, Kiis FM sets up shop on the pier and broadcasts from there.

You’ll also enjoy some of L.A.’s finest and most popular restaurants such as the Santa Monica Pier Seafood and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Or, discover browse around in the pier’s surf wear retail shops, gift shops, a fishing store (yes, you can fish off the pier!) and the interesting Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. The array of sites and activities doesn’t stop here. The Santa Monica Pier also has a fun Carousel for the kids.

PACIFIC PARK
The real distinction of the Santa Monica Pier, however, is the Pacific Park amusement park with the enormous, colorful ferris wheel at the center. This ferris wheel is the icon of Santa Monica Pier, which can be seen way south on the Santa Monica bike path. Matter of fact, any time you see a picture of the Santa Monica Pier, the Playland’s ferris wheel is always at the center of the picture. The busy amusement park has much more than the ferris wheel such as a looping, waterfront roller coaster and sea dragon ride. The Pacific Park has enough rides, booths and games to keep children entertained for a day.

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
During the summer, the Santa Monica Pier hosts a festive, free and variety of concerts on Thursday nights starting at 7pm. Bring towels, food and drinks and get ready to have some fun. The only thing that costs is the parking.
For a listing of acts, visit the Twilight Dance Series at www.twilightdanceseries.com.

PACIFIC PARK INFO
Cost: cost for unlimited rides at the amusement park is $19.95 for regular tickets and $10.95 for people under 42 inches.
Note: You can receive a AAA discount of a few dollars if you purchase tickets online. See Pacific Park website below.
It’s free to enter and stroll around.

Location: 350 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website: www.pacpark.com
Ph: (310) 451-5133

Hours:
Spring, Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 11pm, Friday – Saturday, 11am – 12am.
Summer, Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 8pm and Friday – Saturday, 11am – 12:30am
Fall and Winter, Sunday – Thursday, 12pm – 7pm, Friday – Saturday, 11am – 12am

SANTA MONICA PIER AQUARIUM
Location: 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 2pm – 6pm, Saturday – Sunday, 12:30pm – 6pm

SANTA MONICA SEAFOOD
Location: 258 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ph: (310) 394-9683

Hours: every day, 10am – 10:30pm

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP COMPANY
Location: 301 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website: www.bubbagump
Ph: (310) 393-0458

Hours: Monday – Friday, open at 11am, Saturday – Sunday, open from 8am

Parking
Park in Lot 1 North at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway or the Pier Deck Parking Lot which is at the west end of Colorado Ave.

Accessibility: The Santa Monica Pier is wheelchair accessible. The only challenge is the fairly long and steep bridge you must descend and ascend from Ocean Ave to the pier. The pier’s wooden planks make wheeling a little bumpy.

Handicap Parking: Disabled people should park on Ocean Ave or a couple of blocks east in one of the Third Street Promenade Parking garages. You need to access the pier from Ocean Ave; otherwise, you will have to climb stairs from the beach parking lots.

Getting There: www.metro.net, www.bigbluebus.com, www.ladottransit.com