Uploaded September 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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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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!
SUBSCRIBE! tinyurl.com/p2fveuj
LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK tinyurl.com/nqx9osq
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER twitter.com/Californiatips
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM instagram.com/californiatraveltips
