The Santa Monica Pier is home to Pacific Park amusement park. It is free to get in but costs money to ride the rides. But it’s well worth it. You can get discount coupons online for all day passes plus a free round of miniature golf and buy one get one cotton candy… all for just signing up for their newsletter HERE. If you’re short on time, you can just take a ride in the new solar powered ferris wheel. It entertains the whole family in one gondola and provides breathtaking views of the ocean, beach, and city. It cost $5 per person (or it’s included with the all day arm bands). Kids under three ride free with their parents.
Solar-Powered Ferris Wheel
The amusement park opens at 11am and I recommend getting there then. That way you can park on the pier for $8-10 for the entire day and it fills up fast. It’s safe and convenient so that’s money well spent in my mind. Santa Monica has a cool website where you can find all the available parking spaces in real time. Perfect if you have a mobile web source or just check at your hotel before you leave.
If you have time and love ocean life, check out the aquarium right on the pier too. You can get more info on it HERE. Note that it is closed for school programs on Mondays.
You don’t need to leave the pier for good food. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company has every shrimp dish you might want. I recommend the Cajun Shrimp Ceasar Salad, the Grilled Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice, or the fried shrimp platter. Decent prices considering location and this is California. Yes, it is a chain, which I try to avoid but it was still worth going to if you’re in the mood for seafood. If you want Mexican food, try Mariasol Cocina Mexicana at the end of the pier.
Before leaving, take a stroll down the pier and check out some of the local artists painting and drawing everything from caricatures to wall hangings. You can also watch locals fish off the pier.
Your trip would not be complete without at least five minutes walking along the beach. It’s just a few steps down off the pier. But note, it’s too hard to maneuver with a stroller, so don’t even bother. You’ll have to go all the way around if you want to use a stroller and walk on the side walk.
