The Santa Monica Pier is one of my favorite places to take my family and friends to. I have always thought of it as one of my most recognizable landmarks in LA County with it showing it in several movies and TV shows that I have watched growing up. It was so exciting for me to have the opportunity to interview Jim Harris, the executive director of the Santa Monica Pier for the LA Dreaming Podcast. You can listen to our episode below to learn more about the pier.
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The Santa Monica Pier opened on September 9, 1909. Throughout its existence, the pier has gone through many changes but still continues to be a popular place for locals and tourists alike. Currently, the pier is a destination for fun, food, fishing, events, and enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean. It is so exciting to know that the pier is going to be home to beach volleyball at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Considering the pier is where doubles volleyball was born it is truly the perfect venue.
What to do at The Santa Monica Pier
The pier is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Visiting the pier is such a cool experience because it has something for everyone including your dogs. There are several places where you can eat like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Seaside on the Pier, Pier Burger, and more.
You can ride attractions like the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, play boardwalk games, check out the playland arcade, ride the historic merry-go-round, visit the Heal the Bay Aquarium, shop, and more!
You can park directly on the pier Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm. There are several nearby parking lots as well.
The End of the Trail of Route 66
The official end of Route 66 is at Olympic Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica. The pier is the picture-worthy end of the trail even if it isn’t technically the real end of Route 66. I love seeing the end of the trail sign on the pier.
Events
Over the last few years, so many pop-up events have been taking place at the pier. Companies like Disney, Benefit Cosmetics, Netflix, and others have held fun events here that are open to the public. There are also several events held by the Santa Monica Pier like Pier 360 and Locals’ Nights. The best way to find out about these events is by staying connected with the pier through the email list and social media.
Upcoming Events at the Santa Monica Pier
From 9/7 to 10/26 you can join free workouts like a group run from 8 am to 9 am or yoga on the west end of the pier from 9 am to 10 am. You can stay up to date on the Wellness & Waves schedule through the social media accounts for the pier. You can register for the workouts here.
Save the Pier Play is taking place from October 17th through the 20th. This annual event is a free live reenactment of the events that took place in the 1970s when two groups of citizens worked to save the pier.
The next Locals’ Night is going to be held on October 17th. There will be music, dancing, and lots of fun.
On November 2nd the 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration will be taking place. There will be live music, food, Aztec dancers, and community altars.
Tours
We hope the podcast episode has given you some new information about the history of the pier. If you would like an in-depth experience at the pier you can now take a tour called A Walk Through Pier History. Advance bookings are required. Guests under 12 years old are free. Tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. There are Fall sunset tours taking place at 6:30 pm on Mondays. All tours are $25 per person. The tours are a one-hour experience. You can book tours here.
The Pier as a Filming Location
There are so many movies and TV shows that have been filmed at the pier over the years. Some of the most noteworthy are The Sting, and Forrest Gump.
If you want to learn more about the history of the Santa Monica Pier be sure to purchase the book Santa Monica Pier: America’s Last Great Pleasure Pier.
