Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica pier is the single remaining amusement pier in the Los Angeles area and thank goodness it has managed to survive demo plans and winter storms! There were several others pier parks dotted along the beach - most of which were demolished in by the 1960s one way or another.

Although it was scheduled for demolition in 1973 (Santa Monica residents rallied and saved it) and although a full 1/3 of it was swept away into the ocean in 1983 during a storm, it is the one pier that has stood the test of time and was officially turned back into a full-scale amusement park in 1996 complete with a roller coaster ride like it had back in the 1930s - though not the same one of course.

The pier is situated right on Santa Monica Beach and most people combine a visit to the pier and the beach in the same day.

Besides rides, there are also tons of junk food stands (yum!) like hot dogs, corn dogs, ice cream and other traditional Southern California beach food fare.

There is an old arcade with some classic games remaining and the charm of a vintage arcade and there is a working Zoltar fortune telling coin operated machine which was made famous in 1988 in the movie, Big.

The Trapeze School of New York at Santa Monica Pier is a big draw (no experience necessary!) both to try out and watch.

They still have the little boats you can steer for a couple bucks and try to dock which is a classic vintage game for kids and adults if the flashing arcade gives you a headache.

You can fish right off the edge of the pier and no permit is needed! Rental poles and accessories are available for amateurs and you can rub elbows with the weathered pros who are there daily. Josh says, "I fished here as a kid with my dad and not much has changed."

We recently discovered the fun little Santa Monica Pier Aquarium under the ramp to the aquarium. It is fun for the kids but you'll miss it if you don't look for it specifically!

You can find parking right on the Santa Monica Pier and all along the beach but the local secret if you don't mind walking a few blocks, is to park in the Santa Monica Place Mall lot which is free for three hours until 5pm. Entrance is at the corner of 4th & Broadway and also 2nd Street and Colorado. Many other city lots are free for the first two hours as well. Lots right on the beach and next to the pier range in price from $5 - $8 depending on the day and season. For more parking info, the city has their own Santa Monica Parking website!

Just a couple blocks away is the Santa Monica Promenade, which is a pedestrian only shopping street, filled to the brim with stores and restaurants and street performers.