Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Santa Monica Pier is a historic wooden-decked seaside pier in Santa Monica, California, opened in 1909 and said to be the first concrete pier on the West Coast. Today it is a lively mix of amusement rides, games, food stands and fishing spots, reaching roughly 1,600 feet out over the Pacific.

The story behind it

The pier began as a practical project. The original Municipal Pier of 1909 was built largely to carry a sewage pipe out past the surf break, a job it no longer does. Once it opened, people quickly saw it as a place to enjoy the ocean, and fishing became a favourite local pastime that continues today.

The pier we see now is really two piers joined together. Next to the municipal structure, Charles Looff and his son Arthur built the Pleasure Pier, which brought in amusements and a carousel. Looff was a carousel maker, and his love of amusement parks is what turned the waterfront into a place for games and fun.

What to look for

• The entrance arch with its large sign at the foot of the pier, a classic photo spot before you start walking out over the water.
• The amusement park rides near the front of the pier, including the Ferris wheel that stands out against the sky.
• The anglers along the railings at the far end, a reminder that the pier has been a working fishing spot for generations.
• The view back toward the beach, the Santa Monica Mountains and the curve of the bay, which is best from the end of the pier.

Tips for your visit

• Allow an hour for a relaxed stroll to the end and back, longer if you plan to try the rides, games or food stands.
• Go in the morning for calmer crowds and softer light, or near sunset when the sky over the Pacific is at its best.
• Walking onto the pier is open to everyone, but rides and games are separate, so check current opening hours for the attractions.
• The beach, the Third Street Promenade and the surrounding streets are close by, so the pier works well as one stop in a longer walk.

See it on a quest

The pier is one stop on Superhero Support Team: Santa Monica, a self-guided walk through the area. You reach the pier on foot as part of a longer route, the app tells you about the place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. There is no guide and no group to join, so you can start whenever suits you. One ticket covers the whole group.