Santa Monica Pier Tours and Activities

Santa Monica Pier showing rides
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier


Head to this century-old sun-baked attraction which has plenty of quirky beachside kitsch, a boardwalk ambience and a heady carnival atmosphere.

Santa Monica Pier, one of southern California’s remaining vintage piers now marks the official western point of the legendary Route 66, one of America’s first highways. It originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles and was later extended to Santa Monica, where many travellers concluded their cross-country trek with a visit to the pleasure pier for plenty of fun and to soak up the carnival atmosphere. The pier may be vintage, but this is certainly no dilapidated relic of times gone by. The pier never sleeps. Visit at any time of day and night, at any time of the year, and you will find that it is alive with musical and theatrical entertainment and activities that the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy the thrills of a roller coaster ride or sit almost 40 metres above the Pacific Ocean at the top of the first solar-powered Ferris wheel. There are also arcades, restaurants, artists and street performers for your entertainment. Learn how to fly high like an acrobat at the trapeze school or hire a bike to see the sites on two wheels. Below the pier, at beach level, there’s an aquarium where you can learn all about the local marine life. Children can learn and discover at the attraction’s marine biology classes and enjoy the interactive activities such as the touch tanks.Visit the Looff Hippodrome, which houses a restored colourful wooden carousel with its hand-carved horses that famously featured in the Robert Redford and Paul Newman film, The Sting.

Sneak away to the viewing deck on the second level of the hippodrome for some peace and quiet. Most people don’t visit this part of the pier, making it a wonderfully tranquil spot from which to enjoy ocean views.Santa Monica is about 29 kilometres west of downtown, just north of Venice Beach.

Plan a trip to see Santa Monica Pier

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
The Kinney - Venice Beach
SIRTAJ - Beverly Hills
Inn at Playa del Rey

Tours & day trips

See all 107 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 31 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 18 activities

Classes & workshops

See all 9 activities

Wildlife & nature

See all 3 activities

Popular places to visit


Top Santa Monica Pier Hotel & Accommodation Deals

The Pierside Santa Monica

The Pierside Santa Monica

4 out of 5
120 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA
The Pierside Santa Monica
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

4 out of 5
1707 4th St, Santa Monica, CA
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
Ocean View Hotel

Ocean View Hotel

3 out of 5
1447 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Ocean View Hotel
The Huntley Hotel

The Huntley Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA
The Huntley Hotel
Viceroy Santa Monica

Viceroy Santa Monica

4 out of 5
1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA
Viceroy Santa Monica
The Georgian Hotel

The Georgian Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1415 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA
The Georgian Hotel
Shutters on the Beach

Shutters on the Beach

5 out of 5
1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Shutters on the Beach
Shore Hotel

Shore Hotel

4 out of 5
1515 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA
Shore Hotel
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica

Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica

4 out of 5
530 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.