Santa Monica Pier - Things to Do in Santa Monica | California Travel Tips
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- In this episode of "California Travel Tips," I'll show you the sights and attractions of Santa Monica Pier - one of the best things to do in Santa Monica! Santa Monica Pier is one of the West Coast's oldest pleasure piers, dating back to 1909. Pacific Park is one of the best Santa Monica attractions, serving up all kinds of family fun - from carnival-style boardwalk amusements to fast moving roller coasters. It's the West Coast's only amusement park located on a pier.
Be sure to ride on the Pacific Wheel - the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel - then hop aboard the West Coaster, which travels 35 miles per hour around the pier. At the Playland Arcade, you can play vintage video games or get your fortune told by Zoltar, a famous icon from the movie "Big."
While you're touring Santa Monica Pier, be sure to take a spin on the 1922 carousel, which was featured in Paul Newman's movie, The Sting. Featuring 44 hand-carved horses, the Santa Monica Pier carousel is located inside the historic Santa Monica Loof Hippodrome, which was built in 1916. Downstairs, at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium run by Heal the Bay, you can get a close-up look at moon jellies, moray eels and other Pacific ocean sea life.
Most Santa Monica Pier restaurants serve up typical fun park fare - ranging from funnel cakes and churros to Dippin' Dots and Icees. There are several full service restaurants on the pier, or you can head down to the Santa Monica boardwalk for a Hot Dog on a Stick, an icon here since 1946. (This was the first restaurant in the famous chain.)
Bring your circus dreams to life at the Trapeze School of New York, or rent a bike for a leisurely ride to Venice Beach. The South Bay Bicycle Trail in Santa Monica is the world's longest beach cycling path, stretching 22 miles from Torrance to Malibu.
Santa Monica Muscle Beach dates back to the 1930s. This outdoor gym, which was a favorite hangout for Jack LaLane, is credited as being the birthplace of America's fitness boom. All of the equipment here is free to use, from the rings and bars to the tightropes. The Muscle Beach in Venice Beach now caters to the weight lifting crowd.
Just across the way is International Chess Park, which boasts a human-size chessboard and a variety of free permanent tables.
Did we forget your favorite Santa Monica Pier attraction or restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!
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Just posted our latest video on the Santa Monica Pier, shot during my week at #TH-camSpace LA. Click, like, share, subscribe! :) Santa Monica Pier - Things to Do in Santa Monica #santamonica #santamonicapier
nice videos thanx
That carousel is beautiful!
Thank you so much Feeeeona1! I am so happy our tips came in handy. That means a lot to me to hear that! So glad you had a good time! ~Veronica
This video is fantastic! I can't wait to go back there. I had the most amazing licorice ice cream in the ice cream shop last summer.
My kids love this place - I highly recommend it when you visit.
Great visit to the Santa Monica Pier! Very inviting and informative video!!
OMG I went there it was absolutely PARADISE!!
the Valencia downtown with the shopping malls, restaurants, movie theater,book store, water fountain, and the Newhall downtown with all it's history, good stuff. Also in the area are the Orchards and road side fruit stands on the 126 freeway towards Castaic Lake. Love you videos keep them coming!
I love your channel. I too travel throughout California and try to make video blogs documenting my travel, Santa Monica pier area is one of my favorite parts of LA
Been there countless times!! Recommended!! Good to wear out little ones also!
I LIVE OUT HERE!!! 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM THIS PIER....REALLY NICE BEEN HERE HUNDREDS OF TIMES.... YOU WILL LOVE IT....COME VISIT YOU LOVE IT, IF YOU GO, YOU JUST CANT VISIT ONE TIME, YOU WILL GO LOTS MORE TIMES OR EVEN MOVE OUT HERE...
I was at the pier last month. It was a chilly foggy day, but fun nonetheless. Did the ferris wheel and roller coaster and hubby splashed around in the ocean. Good times.
Awesome! Sounds like fun! :) Veronica
Great video! We also checked out the pier while we were in LA! So fun.
I wanted to make it there this time around. I will certainly do so next time! It looks better than I imaged it would be!! Thanks for the tour!
Love your videos! We travelled to California from Scotland in June and followed a lot of your tips. We had a brilliant time so thank you very much xxx
Veronica, the voice-overs sound good! Keep it up!
Thanks Ana! It's a fun place!
this is the beach i go to i go to santa monica all the time
Hi,i'm from brazil,i love santa monica and the things her have .One day i go the santa monica and venice beach,is very beautiful the people,the colors the city..
Ms. Hill, I recommend to visit Santa Cruz beach boardwalk at Santa Cruz, California.
Thanks guys! It is a lot of fun. Great way to spend an afternoon in LA. :)
I love Cirque! Saw them in Vegas a few months ago. I will definitely come back and check the show out! Thanks!
We had fun at the pier. A little foggy and chilly for part of the day. We did the Ferris Wheel and Rollercoaster, but otherwise, no rides. My hubby lost his glasses in the ocean, but managed to find them. Dinner was at Bubba Gumps.
Awesome! Have a great time!
Yay! Love it!
I love your videos Veronica!
I really love Santa Monica
Hi Veronica. Nice vid. It brings back some good memories. I saw you wearing a silver turtle necklace. Where did you buy it? My daughter loves turtles and I like to buy it the next time I am in the US.
Looks so nice!!
Thanks! Glad you had a good time! Can't wait for more fun outings in November. See you soon! :)
I love your videos! They make me miss California so much! :')
ЗАМЕЧАТЕЛЬНОЕ ВИДЕО ОЧЕНЬ ЯРКОЕ И КРАСИВОЕ 👍👍👍👍👍
Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM will be playing under the Big Top right next to the pier on the parking lot! Cirque du Soleil TOTEM is a great show for all ages and it will blow your mind away! Trust me on this! The will be performing from January 22nd 2014 through February 9th 2014! I recommend everyone to see it! It's a modern touring circus show! But it's better than a regular old fashion circus show! It's just awe inspiring! With all the lights,costumes,acts,and story/plot
Beautiful place for visit
It really is!
Cool! Thank you!
That would be awesome. Thanks for the idea, Chillertosca! The Salton Sea is such a trippy place! :)
This looks like so much fun. Great video.
Thank you!
No, I haven't done a video there yet. Great idea!! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Don! :)
So nice ill be going this weekend :) I havent been there in 5 years.
Thank you Hannie!
Thanks Hilah! Wow, I'm going to have to try that ice cream. I've never tried licorice ice cream before!
Awsome vid! Visting next year in May..
@0:26 west coast only amusement park located in a pier .. this reminds me, Im wondering about Santa Cruz Boardwalk near San Francisco, they have amusement park there too including roller coaster rides, that was not on a pier?
i love santa monica
Yes, that is the first Hot Dog on a Stick! You'll find franchises around the country.
Btw I love your vids. I've been visiting a few places you guys have been to.
:)
Tons of things to do or see in
Gorgeous southern California
Thanks Paige! :)
Sounds like a plan! I've been to Valencia and Newhall and enjoyed it very much. Haven't been to the orchards or fruit stands though, so must check them out! Thanks for your idea! :)
Going to the pier!
Not yet, but it's on our list! :)
Cám ơn bạn đã chia sẻ nội dung hay.
Yes! Great idea! Magic Mountain ... Western Walk of Fame (and Cowboy festival)...downtown district. Any other favorites in the area? :)
What about a video about salton sea, salvation mountain and bombay Beach??? That would be awesome!!!!
WOW!
Esta fabuloso
Thanks Anthony! Your tips worked great! I didn't need to buy a new microphone. :)
Hi Amori! Yes, I'm actually thinking about this for one of our next videos. I need to make sure I can get clearance to film because of all the art/copyright issues. I'll keep you posted!
I'm going there this June😄
I'm from the Midwest and I've never been to California but will be headed to Santa Monica this summer. Will the weather be ok in late June and is the water by the pier ok to swim in?
-Thanks for the tips
Love SoCal!!!
Thank you!
We filmed videos all day around Santa Monica.... Next time I go back it will be for fun! :)
Hi could you check out the Grand Canyon skywalk for me? Also is there anywhere you recommend to go as I am going in April, thanks. Zack
Thanks Beth! Maybe we can all make an outing of it one night in November. :)
Can you do a video about the Getty Villa on Pacific Coast Highway? I've never been there but I've heard it's a wonderful place and very historical.
Was just there today it was so busy, Didn't do the rides though.
I am going to subscribe to this channel
i like your videos id spesial i like to watch kalifornia thanx
Do you have a video on the santa cruz boardwalk?
This is literally the mini version of Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, it has the same ride ( with exception of the ferriswheel) some same feature, and it was open 2 year later that the Santa Cruz boardwalk which was open on 1907
Thank you so much, AnhBChau! That means a lot to me! Do you have any requests for future videos? We're always brainstorming new places to go. :)
hi Ms. Hill I just wanted to know if you've ever done the beach house celebrity home tour?
Ms. Hill I'm such a huge fan you might wanna Check out six flags Magic Mountain or you could check out Zuma beach and try to spot some famous Celebs.
Thanks! You are so kind. I will try to hit these spots.
You skipped Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe - right by the Carousel - opened in 1902. The friendliest, least expensive place to garb a cold brew and some pub grub. Plus it is family friendly too!
I WAS HERE :D
Veronica, have you gone to the Griffith Observatory yet?
I am going today😺😋
Cool Ian subcribing
i wanna go there...
NO WAY!Hot dogs on a stink?that's briliant!haha LOL :-P
You are so sweet. Thank you. :)
Hi I am going to both la and Grand Canyon :))
Are you going to the Grand Canyon or California? I mostly deal with CA Travel, but I have been to the Grand Canyon. Let me know! :)
April its OK to visit Santa Monica
so, you only have a certain time there? wouldn't you want to stay the whole day?
How high is the railing on the peir
When is the best time to visit Santa Monica? I warm enough warm to take a swim but not too hot. Thanks!
I think September is a great time to visit. The crowds are gone; it's not as hot, and the ocean is pretty warm compared to the rest of the year!
+California Travel Tips I go to los Angeles your tipps are great and help me !
You should go to Universal Studios Hollywood
So how close is the beach, or is it right next to the pier? It looks pretty close. This probably sounds stupid XD But it's not me asking, my mom wanted me to look it up. She also wanted to know if you're able to swim in the water and if there are life guards.
Shatter Me: The pier is on the sand. They have added a lot of rides on it in recent years. There are life guards on both Santa Monica and Venice beaches and the water is safe to swim in if you don't go way out beyond the waves. Watch out for jellyfish in the water or on the sand near the water. It's rare to be stung but if it happens pull the stinger out and put baking soda mixed with water on it. Don't swim within a week or two after heavy rain because the Los Angeles River will empty in to the ocean. The Santa Monica downtown shopping area is also worth going to. And Disneyland and Universal City aren't too far from Santa Monica. If you have a car Newport Beach is worth seeing; it has bays and canals lined with beautiful homes and the entrance to Newport Beach has a nice little beach if you can find a place to park. I was able to take a ship to Catalina Island from there years ago and I think it still runs.
What height doing ferris wheel?
I go there everytimw
I had my first date there
I subscribed
Is it only there for summer or all year round PLz plz plz let it be all year round 🙏😊😊🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
it's all year round! :) it's so much fun there! you'll love it! :)
I'm going there today,and can you go to six flags
Haha, I know. But it's fast compared to the other rides. :)
Can u go to six flags magic mountain
I'm going tomorrow it will be my 5th time
I went there today on the dragon in feels like
your gonna fall of
Yes me to a lot of time