Santa Monica Fun in the Sun
Growing up in SoCal, one of my favorite weekend getaways was to Santa Monica, just a few miles west of downtown Los Angeles.
This savvy city is all about pleasure on a SoCal sunny day: playing at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, shopping, body surfing, bicycling, and beach combing.
It helps that Pacific Park has free admission. And you can sometimes find deals and coupons for the rides (scroll down this page for a link).
Savvy Tip: Skip down this page for a discounted wristband offer.
Pacific Park features a dozen rides, an old ferris wheel, midway games, ocean front foods and seaside shopping, tasty kettle corn, free music during the summer, and beautiful views of the Santa Monica Bay.
Beneath the historic Carousel you’ll find the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, featuring more than 100 species of marine animals and plants.
The Aquarium is a popular spot, especially for families. That is, if you can peel the kids away from the roller-coaster and arcade games.
Santa Monica’s wide beach is a fun place to relax. Head over to Marlene’s Beachcomber to pick up beach towels, mats, and sunscreen.
Or you can rent cruiser and cycle the 22-mile Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, aka The Strand, along the oceanfront, or all the way south to Torrance. You’ll find several places around the pier to rent bike.
Food and snacks are available all over the Pier, at the food court, or at one of the restaurants: Pier Burger, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Rusty’s Surf Ranch, Soda Jerks, Ristorante al Mare (fine Italian dining), or Mariasol Cocina Mexicana (try their Margaritas).
If a little shopping is on your to-do list, head over to the Third Street Promenade in downtown Santa Monica (pedestrians only) the designer shops and galleries at Santa Monica Place.
Santa Monica also has some fun farmers’ markets that run all year long: Saturdays on the lawn at Virginia Avenue Park, Sundays at the Main Street market in Heritage Square, and both Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Downtown Santa Monica market.
Santa Monica Pier Pacific Park Discount Tickets
At this time, two sources have discount offers for Pacific Park. Check ’em out for yourself and save.
- Unlimited Ride Wristband 15% Off. Ride all 12 rides in the park as many times as you like for the day. Easy purchase process and good customer service. Tickets by email. The link takes you to the deal on via Viator.
- Unlimited Ride Wristbands 20% Off. Not always available and they ask for free sign-in to access their deals. Tickets by email.
- Go Los Angeles Pass 20% to 55% Off. If you’re doing the tourist thing, you can save on just the SoCal attractions you want to visit, including Pacific Park. This discount attraction pass lets you choose as few as two or as many as 31 (the more you see the more you save). You can print tickets or show on your smart phone.
Where to Stay near Santa Monica Pier
Shutters on the Beach
My go to hotel near Santa Monica Pier is Shutters, located directly on the sand, and an easy walk to the Santa Monica Pier. Shutters rocks a super chill vibe with a touch of California class.
ADDRESS: 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA
REVIEWS & RATES: Start your research on the Shutters TripAdvisor page
Know Before You Go
Address & Location
Santa Monica Pier: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Getting There
Take The ramp at the intersection of Ocean and Colorado.
Parking for Pacific Park
To Park on the Pier Deck, take the ramp at Ocean and Colorado. Or try one of the two lower lots off Appian Way.
Airport Shuttle
You can catch a shuttle to/from Los Angeles International Airport, around eight miles south.
Open Days & Hours
The Pier is always open, but each business on the pier has its own hours. (See Pacific Park hours on their website.)
Official Info
Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park and Aquarium official website.
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