Sight Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Santa Monica Pier
A sight in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Sunset.
Why go
Historic pier with a Ferris wheel, the end-of-Route 66 sign and beach sunsets.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Los Angeles, alongside 4 sights, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Venice Beach Boardwalk, 1.7 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Sight
- Neighborhood
- Santa Monica
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Sunset
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 4 beyond Los Angeles. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Venice Beach Boardwalk
Beach promenade with street performers, the skate park and Muscle Beach.
Activity · 1.7 mi straight-line - 2The Getty Center
Hilltop art museum with gardens and views from the Santa Monica Mountains to the ocean.
Sight · 5.0 mi straight-line - 3The Abbey Food & Bar
Landmark LGBTQ bar and club with patios and dancing on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Drinks · West Hollywood · 8.3 mi straight-line - 4Pacific Design Center
Blue, green and red glass buildings with design showrooms and a MOCA satellite gallery.
Sight · West Hollywood · 8.4 mi straight-line - 5Rainbow Bar & Grill
Rock hangout since 1972, serving pizza beside the Roxy.
Food · West Hollywood · 8.5 mi straight-line - 6The Roxy Theatre
Small music venue since 1973 with good sightlines for touring bands.
Activity · West Hollywood · 8.5 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Santa Monica Pier is a stop on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More sights to see in Los Angeles
3 more curated sights in Los Angeles. See the full Los Angeles guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in Los Angeles run from 66°F in December to 90°F in August; February is usually the wettest month. For Santa Monica Pier itself, we suggest: Sunset.
Modelled monthly averages for Los Angeles from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Los Angeles weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Santa Monica Pier, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
- Coordinates
- 34.00828, -118.49876
- Destination
- Los Angeles, California
- Website
- santamonicapier.org
Santa Monica Pier: quick answers
How much time do you need at Santa Monica Pier?
Plan on about an hour at Santa Monica Pier. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Santa Monica Pier?
Our pick: Sunset.
Is Santa Monica Pier free?
Yes, we list Santa Monica Pier as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is Santa Monica Pier?
Santa Monica Pier is at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Santa Monica Pier?
Santa Monica Pier appears on Pacific Coast Highway, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Santa Monica Pier to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Los Angeles.
Plan Los Angeles
- Los Angeles travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit Los Angeles weather by month
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles 87 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Los Angeles
- Grand Central Market Food
- Musso & Frank Grill Drinks
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.