The Santa Monica Pier has been an LA landmark since 1909, drawing millions of visitors each year to its iconic stretch of wooden planks over the Pacific. But with so many santa monica pier things to do, it’s easy to miss the best parts, or waste time on the forgettable ones.
Between the amusement park rides, street performers, ocean views, and food stands, the Pier packs a surprising amount into a relatively small space. Knowing what’s actually worth your time makes the difference between a quick photo op and a full afternoon you’ll remember.
At Another Side Tours, we take visitors through Santa Monica and the surrounding neighborhoods on guided tours led by local experts who know every corner of this city. Below, we’ve pulled together the six best things to do at the Pier, covering rides, food, and views, so you can make the most of your visit.
1. Take a guided Santa Monica Pier tour with Another Side Tours
A guided tour with Another Side Tours gives you more than just a walk along the pier. You get a local expert guide who connects the dots between the Pier’s history, the surrounding Santa Monica neighborhoods, and the broader story of Los Angeles.
What you’ll do
Your guide takes you through the iconic landmarks and hidden details of the Pier that most visitors walk right past. You’ll hear the story behind the Looff Hippodrome, learn why the Route 66 endpoint sign matters, and get pointed toward the best views and photo spots along the way. The tour also covers the surrounding Santa Monica area, giving you real context for what you’re seeing rather than a loose collection of facts.
A guided tour turns the Pier from a quick photo stop into an experience with actual meaning behind it.
Who it’s best for
This tour works well for first-time visitors to Los Angeles who want to make the most of limited time. It’s also a strong choice for anyone who has been to the city before but wants to understand the history beneath what they’ve seen. If you’re traveling with family, a partner, or a small group, the personalized attention from a private guide makes the experience feel tailored rather than rushed.
How much time to budget
Plan for at least two to three hours for a guided Santa Monica Pier experience. This gives you enough time to cover the Pier itself, take in the views, and explore a bit of the surrounding area without feeling pressured. If you want to add extra stops in Santa Monica or nearby Venice, some tour options allow for extended itineraries that fit more into a single outing.
Cost and booking notes
Tours with Another Side Tours are private and bookable directly through the company’s website, with pricing based on group size and tour length. Group discounts are available for parties of three or more. Booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends and holiday periods when spots fill fast. Among all the santa monica pier things to do, this one rewards a little advance planning.
2. Ride Pacific Park and the Pacific Wheel
Pacific Park is the only amusement park on a pier on the West Coast, and it sits right at the end of the Santa Monica Pier. It’s a compact but genuinely fun setup, with twelve rides and attractions packed into a space that delivers big views of the Pacific Ocean alongside the thrills.
What you’ll do
You’ll ride the Pacific Wheel, a solar-powered Ferris wheel that rises 130 feet above the ocean. At the top, you get a sweeping view of the coastline in both directions. The park also runs roller coasters, classic carnival rides, and midway games, so there’s plenty to fill time whether you’re here with kids or just looking for something more hands-on than sightseeing.
The Pacific Wheel is one of the most photographed spots on the pier, and the view from the top justifies the hype.
Who it’s best for
Pacific Park works well for families with children and for anyone who wants a physical, engaging break from walking. It’s also one of the most memorable santa monica pier things to do if you’re traveling with someone who wants a classic, old-school amusement experience.
How much time to budget
Set aside one to two hours to ride the main attractions without rushing.
Cost and booking notes
Ride tickets are sold individually or in bundled wristband packages, with pricing varying by ride. You can purchase tickets at the park entrance on the day of your visit.
3. Catch sunset by the Route 66 sign
The Route 66 endpoint sign sits near the entrance of the Santa Monica Pier and marks the official western terminus of America’s most iconic highway. Watching the sun drop into the Pacific Ocean from this spot is one of those Los Angeles moments that genuinely delivers on its reputation.
What you’ll do
You’ll find the sign close to the beginning of the pier, and your best move is to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. The sky shifts through shades of orange and pink as the light fades, and the sign gives you a strong foreground for photos. Among all the santa monica pier things to do, timing your visit around the sunset turns a free stop into one of the day’s real highlights.
Position yourself on the west-facing side of the pier for a clean, unobstructed view of the sun meeting the water.
Who it’s best for
This spot suits photographers and couples who want a memorable, low-effort experience. It’s also a strong option for anyone traveling on a tight budget who still wants something genuinely scenic without buying a ticket or standing in a queue.
How much time to budget
Plan for 30 to 60 minutes at this location. Arriving a little early lets you secure a good position before other visitors start gathering around the sign as the light changes.
Cost and booking notes
Visiting the sign and watching the sunset costs nothing. No reservations are needed, but check the local sunset time before you head out so you show up with enough margin to enjoy the full experience.
4. Grab pier food and boardwalk snacks
The Santa Monica Pier has a solid lineup of food options that range from quick snacks to sit-down meals with ocean views. Whether you’re fueling up between rides or taking a proper break, the food scene along the pier gives you a good reason to slow down and eat well before moving on.
What you’ll do
You’ll find classic boardwalk fare spread across kiosks and counters throughout the pier, including corn dogs, fish tacos, funnel cakes, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Mariasol Cocina Mexicana sits directly on the pier and offers full plates with unobstructed ocean views if you want a proper sit-down meal. Among the more relaxed santa monica pier things to do, eating your way along the boardwalk is one that most visitors underestimate.
Pick up a clam chowder bread bowl near the end of the pier for a filling, genuinely coastal meal.
Who it’s best for
This works well for everyone, but especially families who want to build in a natural rest between activities. It’s also a strong fit for anyone arriving around midday who wants to eat with a view before tackling the rest of the pier.
How much time to budget
Plan on 20 to 40 minutes, depending on whether you’re grabbing something quick or sitting down for a full meal with a view.
Cost and booking notes
Casual snacks and street food typically run between $5 and $15 per item. Sit-down dining costs more, and no reservations are required for the food kiosks or counter-service spots.
5. See the Looff Hippodrome and carousel
The Looff Hippodrome is one of the oldest surviving structures on the Santa Monica Pier, built in 1916 and now a National Historic Landmark. Most visitors walk right past it without realizing what they’re looking at, but this building holds more history than nearly anything else surrounding it.
What you’ll do
Inside the Hippodrome, you’ll find a beautifully restored carousel with hand-carved horses and a classic fairground atmosphere that feels genuinely different from the modern rides nearby. The carousel has appeared in several films and TV shows over the decades, and riding it gives you a direct connection to the Pier’s century-long story. Among the quieter santa monica pier things to do, this one leaves a real impression.
The Hippodrome’s painted ceiling and original woodwork are worth stopping to look at closely, even if you skip the ride itself.
Who it’s best for
This stop works particularly well for families with young children who want a gentle, unhurried ride, and for history enthusiasts who appreciate the architecture and the backstory behind one of LA’s most enduring structures.
How much time to budget
Set aside 20 to 30 minutes at the Hippodrome. That gives you enough time to look around the building, take photos, and enjoy a carousel ride without feeling rushed.
Cost and booking notes
Carousel rides are inexpensive, typically just a few dollars per person. No advance reservations are needed, and the Hippodrome operates year-round, making it an easy addition at any point during your visit.
6. Visit Heal the Bay Aquarium and the beach
The Heal the Bay Aquarium sits underneath the Santa Monica Pier and houses marine life native to the California coast. It’s a low-key stop that most visitors overlook, and that’s exactly what makes it worth your time.
What you’ll do
Inside, you’ll find touch tanks filled with sea stars, urchins, and other local marine species, along with displays that explain the ecosystem just beneath the pier. After the aquarium, you can head straight down to the beach itself, which stretches for miles in both directions and gives you a completely different perspective on the Pier from the sand below. Among santa monica pier things to do, this combination of indoor and outdoor experience is one of the more underrated ways to spend an hour.
Walking the beach beneath the pier and looking back up at the structure gives you one of the best views of the whole landmark.
Who it’s best for
This stop suits families with younger children who want an interactive, educational break from the rides and crowds above. It also works well for anyone who wants a quieter, less commercialized part of the pier experience.
How much time to budget
Plan for 45 minutes to an hour to cover the aquarium and spend some time on the beach without feeling rushed.
Cost and booking notes
Admission to Heal the Bay Aquarium is a few dollars per person, with reduced pricing for children. The beach itself is free and open year-round, and no reservations are required for either.
Plan your day at the pier
The six santa monica pier things to do listed here cover the full range of what the Pier offers, from amusement rides and historic landmarks to sunset views and fresh seafood. You don’t need to rush through all of them in a single visit, but having a clear order in mind keeps you from spending your best hours drifting without purpose.
Start with the guided tour if you want context and local knowledge upfront, then work through the Pier’s attractions from the entrance out toward the end. Save the Route 66 sunset stop for late afternoon when the light is at its best. Build in time for food and the beach so the visit feels complete rather than rushed. If you’re planning a private experience for a group or a family, Los Angeles private tours give you a flexible, expert-led way to see Santa Monica and the broader city on your own schedule.
