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Anyone who wants to visit Santa Monica must start here. The pier is the most popular location in Santa Monica and is always open. This place is frequented by both residents and tourists and has been a landmark of the city for over a hundred years, so it has a long history. Since September 9, 1909, it has gone through a series of ups and downs. There have been many structural problems, calls to knock it down, the damage caused by Mother Nature, and also the hard times during the Great Depression and wars. But thanks to the commitment of those who wanted it to succeed, the pier has always risen from the ashes and is now a vibrant place beloved by the community, the pride and joy of Santa Monica.
Contents
- Santa Monica Pier: Things to Do and Attractions
- Santa Monica Yacht Harbor
- Santa Monica Merry-Go-Round
- Heal the Bay Aquarium
- Route 66 Sign “End of the Trail”
- Pacific Park
- Where to eat on the Santa Monica Pier?
Santa Monica Pier: Things to Do and Attractions
The Santa Monica Pier, a symbol of both Los Angeles beach life and the legendary Route 66 (of which it marks the end), is one of those “classic” attractions that anyone planning a California road trip itinerary should consider. So let’s find out what awaits us at this fascinating attraction in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
Santa Monica Yacht Harbor
The pier is composed of various areas. The first is the access ramp with sections for vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians, which leads to the intersection of Colorado Avenue with Ocean Avenue, marked by the white and blue arch of the Santa Monica Yacht Harbor, in front of the pink building of the Del Frisco’s Grille (located at 1551 Ocean Ave). In reality, the arch is only a historical icon dating back to the 1940s when there was an internationally renowned boat dock. The first person who bought the space for his boat was Charlie Chaplin. This is a place where many visitors stop to take a picture.
The ramp leads from the coast to the beginning of the pier itself, where there is a large square-shaped platform (which can also be accessed on foot from the beach). At the end of this platform, there is a traditional pier that stretches out over the water. The pier is not only a place for a beautiful and long walk on the Pacific Ocean where you can admire romantic sunsets and beach views; it is full of life and there are activities and fun for everyone. Let’s take a closer look.
Santa Monica Merry-Go-Round
Once you cross the bridge, you will arrive at a parking lot, and next to it, you will see the historic building that houses the Santa Monica Merry-Go-Round, an enchanting piece of history of the 20s, which has undergone a faithful renovation. For this reason, it still retains all its charm. When the carousel is in operation, the 44 horses (no two horses are alike) together with a rabbit, a goat, and two sleighs move in harmony. We would like to remind you that, unlike the other horses, the horses of the outer ring do not move, they are fixed. The cost of the ticket is $1 for children and $2 for adults.
Heal the Bay Aquarium
In the lower part of the building, there is the Aquarium. To access the aquarium, you must pay for admission. You can find interactive activities and the”inhabitants” of the sea such as seahorses, moray eels, jellyfish, stingrays, and sharks, to name a few. The structure can be booked for an event and is closed on Mondays. In the same section of the pier, there is the Santa Monica Pier Shop & Visitor Center, the ideal place to get souvenirs and valuable information. The atmosphere on the pier is lively: the people, the colors, the sounds, and the scents… As a result, walking on the pier turns into a pleasant and classic experience.
Route 66 Sign “End of the Trail”
Let’s not forget that just beyond the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., you will see the sign “Route 66, end of the trail”. When the pier was officially awarded the title of “last stop on Route 66” (the Mother Road goes from Chicago to Santa Monica), the old road sign was brought back here. I recommend stopping at the little 66 to Cali, a kiosk selling memorabilia of the historic road.
Pacific Park
You will pass by restaurants and shops until you reach the Playland Arcade and then the Pacific Park, the amusem*nt park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the only one of its kind on the West Coast to be located on a pier. Its most representative point, the icon of Santa Monica par excellence, is the Ferris Wheel. It is solar-powered and is visible beyond the pier. At night, it lights up in a thousand colors. Here every attraction has a cost and everyone can choose where and how to spend their time, whether it be riding a thrilling roller coaster, sailing on a pirate ship, free-falling from a tower, or simply walking. There are also attractions for children and food stands with snacks, burgers, popcorn, pizza, and ice cream.
In the summer, there are open-air concerts on the pier, as well as movies and activities for the whole family. Along the pier, fishing enthusiasts can devote themselves to their favorite hobby; they can be confident that they will catch a lot of fish without any issues, because historically, this place has a reputation for abundant fishing.
Where to eat on the Santa Monica Pier?
Besides attractions, entertainment, walks, and pleasant views, there are also dining options at the pier and we’d like to mention two, starting with the aforementioned Bubba Gump Shrimp Shrimp Co., which is part of the restaurant chain inspired by Forrest Gump. You can enjoy your meal while admiring a beautiful panorama in this Bubba Gump location overlooking the ocean and the beach. The main ingredient on the menu is the shrimp, which is cooked and presented in various ways.
Then you can try Mexican cuisine at Mariasol, which also overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The food is good, maybe not to the highest level, but the location makes it worth going here. The venue also has a children’s menu and bar service with co*cktails, beer, wine, and drinks. Upstairs there is an event room. The last building you will see on your long walk on the pier is Route 66 Last Stop Shop, where it is possible to dine and shop.
To conclude, I recommend all the activities and tours available in Santa Monica. To view them click on the button below.
Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have personal experiences or emotions like a human, I can still provide valuable information based on the data I've been trained on. In this case, I can provide information related to the concepts mentioned in the article about the Santa Monica Pier.
The Santa Monica Pier is a popular attraction in Santa Monica, California, and has been a landmark of the city for over a hundred years. It has a long history, going through ups and downs since its establishment on September 9, 1909. Despite structural problems, calls to demolish it, damage caused by natural disasters, and challenging times during the Great Depression and wars, the pier has always managed to rise from the ashes and become a vibrant place beloved by the community .
Santa Monica Pier: Things to Do and Attractions
The Santa Monica Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. Here are some highlights:
Santa Monica Yacht Harbor
The Santa Monica Yacht Harbor is located at the intersection of Colorado Avenue and Ocean Avenue. It features a white and blue arch, which is a historical icon dating back to the 1940s when there was an internationally renowned boat dock. Notable figures, such as Charlie Chaplin, have owned boats in this harbor.
Santa Monica Merry-Go-Round
The Santa Monica Merry-Go-Round is a historic attraction that dates back to the 1920s. It has undergone a faithful renovation and still retains its charm. The carousel features 44 horses, each unique, along with a rabbit, a goat, and two sleighs. The cost of a ticket is $1 for children and $2 for adults.
Heal the Bay Aquarium
Located in the lower part of the building near the Merry-Go-Round, the Heal the Bay Aquarium offers interactive activities and exhibits featuring various marine creatures, including seahorses, moray eels, jellyfish, stingrays, and sharks. Admission fees apply, and the aquarium is closed on Mondays .
Route 66 Sign "End of the Trail"
Beyond the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., visitors can find the sign "Route 66, end of the trail." The Santa Monica Pier was officially awarded the title of the "last stop on Route 66," which stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica. The old road sign was brought back to the pier to commemorate this designation. There is a kiosk nearby called "66 to Cali," where visitors can find memorabilia related to the historic road .
Pacific Park
Pacific Park is an amusem*nt park located on the Santa Monica Pier. It is the only amusem*nt park on the West Coast that is situated on a pier. The park offers various attractions, including a Ferris wheel, roller coasters, a pirate ship, and more. There are also attractions specifically designed for children. Additionally, the park features food stands offering snacks, burgers, popcorn, pizza, and ice cream. Some attractions require tickets, and the park hosts open-air concerts, movies, and family activities during the summer.
Where to Eat on the Santa Monica Pier?
There are several dining options available on the Santa Monica Pier. Two notable options are:
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: This restaurant chain, inspired by the movie Forrest Gump, offers a beautiful oceanfront location with a menu focused on shrimp prepared in various ways.
- Mariasol: This restaurant serves Mexican cuisine and also overlooks the Pacific Ocean. While the food may not be at the highest level, the location makes it worth visiting. The venue also offers a children's menu and a bar service with co*cktails, beer, wine, and drinks. Upstairs, there is an event room. Visitors can also dine and shop at the Route 66 Last Stop Shop, the last building on the pier .
Please note that operating hours can change, and closures for extraordinary events can occur. It is always a good idea to check the official websites of the venues for the most up-to-date information.
I hope this information helps you explore the Santa Monica Pier and enjoy your visit!