Attraction of the Week: The Santa Monica Pier
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You’ve seen it in countless movies and TV shows. It marks the official end of Route 66. The long-running amusement park is a historic landmark itself which has been entertaining both locals and visitors for over 100 years. The iconic Santa Monica pier opened on September 9, 1909, with 2009 marking the 100th anniversary.
Although touristy and more crowded than other area beaches, it’s a bucket list check off for sure. I first visited the pier as a detour on the beautiful Strand, a gorgeous waterfront recreation path that travels past many iconic beach towns. One of my favorite things to do during my short time living in L.A. was riding this path and checking out all the quirky and nostalgic attractions in the lively beach towns.
Hop on the famous “Strand” bicycle path
First and foremost, Santa Monica is a gorgeous beach, with the amazing mountains providing a stunning backdrop. From here, you can easily hop on the Marvin Braude path aka “The Strand” for a leisurely bike ride. This 22 mile long recreational path connects all of L.A.’s great beach towns. Views of the gorgeous Pacific Coast accompany you the entire route: I love the scenery and easy access to attractions.
Not only is The Strand a convenient means of transportation between beaches, but also a much less stressful alternative to endless driving around attempting to find parking at each beach separately. The path technically starts a few miles down at Will Rogers Beach, famous for being the filming location for Baywatch. Will Rogers is a gorgeous beach, so if you are a Baywatch fan, you may want to ride over. Otherwise, simply start the path a few miles shy in Santa Monica.
The views along this bike path are breathtaking the entire way. I’ve biked a lot of paths around the country and this one is most scenic. You will get to see lots of unique sights that you would ordinarily miss out on by driving separately to each beach town. From volleyball games in action, to surfers enjoying the waves, to unique street performers in Venice, the people watching opportunities are really endless.
The coastal views are out of this world. Hop off your bike for a while and explore the unique shops in Venice, take a relaxing stroll along the pier at Manhattan Beach, fuel up with a smoothie, or simply relax in the sand for a bit – there are endless options for relaxing and sightseeing along the way! It doesn’t get much better in terms of scenic views, fitness, and excitement all rolled into one! This path is pure “Southern California.” It is what you imagine when you think “California” and riding this beachy path reminds me of many of my favorite 80’s & early 90’s sitcoms and movies like Saved by the Bell and Summer School.
Check out a few scenes along the route! You will pass so many iconic attractions and oddball sights. Expect to see some weird people and strange stuff on any given day!
There is so much going on and so much to do, not to mention the endless views of the Pacific, that you will probably want to continue down all the way to Torrance. I almost always complete the entire ride and if I had a nicer bike I would probably ride it twice. I just love the energy and beautiful scenery.
The outstanding views, eccentric people watching, fun activities and unusual sights, and gorgeous coastal views will keep you motivated to continue on. Plus, the path is flat and fast so easy enough for newbies. It’s a great fitness workout, a fun day out in the sun, and an entertaining way to explore all L.A. has to offer.
The official end of historic Rt. 66
The pier marks the official end of Route 66 aka “The Mother Road.” It’s definitely a must see for any fans of Route 66 as there is a great photo opp by the sign, not to mention endless souvenirs and knick knacks to add to your collection. I did a lot of Rt. 66 exploration while living in Arizona so it was fun to check another cool historic site off my bucket list.
The iconic amusement park
The Pacific Park Amusement park is one of the main reasons so many tourists flock here all year round. Highlights at the pier include carnival style games, a small aquarium, a solar powered Ferris Wheel, and a historic carousel. You can also sign up to take a double decker bus tour of celebrity mansion homes in Malibu via Starline Tours.
Charles I. D. Looff, known as a master designer of handcrafted carousels, built the Looff Hippodrome building which houses the carousel. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. On a side note, if you are into antique carousels I highly recommend checking out the Herschell Carousel Museum in Buffalo near Niagara Falls. I ran into this hidden gem on vacation recently and I really loved the entire experience. You will get to ride an antique carousel from 1916 and learn more about the amusement park industry.
My favorite ride here is the iconic steel roller coaster known as the West Coaster. It’s an absolute must! Who wouldn’t love amazing coastal views combined with fun drops, twists, and turns?! No upside loops so you can easily snap a few photos!
Yes, it’s a bit pricey for a single ride, however, worth it for a ride on the only pier oceanfront coaster out West! Other rides include the pirate ship, the scrambler, a small drop, and a few kiddie rides. As of 2026, a ride on the iconic “West Coaster” will set you back 16 bucks. Check the website for updated pricing info.
Check out this amazing viewpoint from the ride!
Overall, I would say a visit to the pier and a bike ride along The Strand is one of the top things to do in Los Angeles, especially in the case of first time visitors. A few hours exploring all the sights makes for an entertaining and memorable 1/2 day out. If you are into Route 66 nostalgia, fitness (the bike path is one of the country’s best), or just looking for a relaxing beach day along with great views, then this is an easy addition to your vacation itinerary.
More to do in the area
Third Street Promenade – Third Street is a beautiful area to dine and shop. There’s plenty of attractions here including both chain and local restaurants, a movie theater, and lots of shopping.
Hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains – The beautiful Los Liones Canyon trail is just a short drive away from the beach. This moderate 1.5 mile out-and-back hike features breathtaking views of Santa Monica Bay and great views of the L.A. skyline. This is one of my favorite short hikes: it doesn’t get much better for so little effort!
The Original Muscle Beach – Muscle Beach originally started in Santa Monica, not Venice. Founded in 1934, it later closed and bodybuilding competitions shifted over to a new location in Venice. Today, the gymnastics equipment is an open playground to explore.
Address & parking info
The address is: 350 Santa Monica Pier. You can attempt to find free street parking (easier early in the morning or park in one of the many parking garages). I usually park in Torrance and ride by bike.
