The Santa Monica Pier has stood at the foot of Colorado Avenue since 1909. It is free to walk, open from early morning to late at night, and it has a small amusement park, arcade games, food stands, fishing spots and street performers. It is also at the end of the E Line, which makes it one of the easiest beach trips in Los Angeles without a car. This guide covers hours, rides, parking during the current bridge construction and how to get there.
In this guide
It is part of our Los Angeles attractions guide. For the wider area, see our Santa Monica guide and our list of the best beaches in Los Angeles.
Santa Monica Pier at a glance
- Where Ocean Avenue at Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica
- Pier hours Open daily from 6am to 11pm, including holidays
- Cost Free to walk; rides, games and food cost extra
- Amusement park Pacific Park, with 12 rides including the West Coaster and Pacific Wheel
- Rail E Line to Downtown Santa Monica, then about a 10-minute walk
- Rideshare drop-off 1550 Appian Way, below the pier
- Construction Pier Bridge Improvement Project may change traffic and parking
A short history
The pier opened in 1909 as a municipal pier for the city. The amusement side grew next to it over the following decades. Today the pier sits next to the beach bike path and at the end of the city’s main downtown street grid, so it gets crowds all year. The pier’s official website has a timeline and a directory of every business on the deck.
Hours
The pier is open every day from 6am to 11pm, including holidays. Individual businesses set their own hours. Pacific Park’s rides generally start around 11am and run daily, weather permitting, but the park posts special hours and private-event closures on its calendar. Some rides may be closed or run on rotation depending on conditions. Check the Pacific Park schedule on the day you go.
Rides and things to do
Pacific Park
Pacific Park has 12 rides. The two you see from the beach are the West Coaster, a steel roller coaster that runs over the pier deck, and the Pacific Wheel, the Ferris wheel. There are also smaller family rides and carnival games. You pay per ride or buy a wristband; prices are listed on the Pacific Park site and change by season.
Walking the deck
Walking to the end of the pier is free. You get views up the coast toward Malibu and south toward Venice, with surfers and people fishing below. At sunset the pier is crowded, but the light on the water is worth it.
Fishing
People fish from the lower and far ends of the pier. In California you do not need a fishing license to fish from a public pier, but size limits, bag limits and other state rules still apply. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife site before you cast.
The Heal the Bay Aquarium
The small aquarium under the pier has local sea life. As of October 19, 2026, it has paused regular weekend public hours because of the bridge construction and is holding special events and open houses instead. Admission when open is $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12. Check the aquarium’s site for upcoming dates.
Food
The pier has restaurants, snack stands and food carts, plus funnel cakes, ice cream and seafood. Downtown Santa Monica, a few blocks inland, has more choice and lower prices.
Getting there
By Metro
Take the E Line to the end at Downtown Santa Monica, at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. The ride from 7th Street/Metro Center in Downtown Los Angeles takes about 46 minutes. From the station, walk west on Colorado, cross Ocean Avenue and walk down the pier bridge. It takes about 10 minutes. The fare is $1.75, with free transfers for two hours and a $5 daily cap on TAP. See our LA Metro guide.
By bus
Metro buses 534 and 720 serve the area, as does Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus. Check each agency’s trip planner for current routes and fares.
By rideshare
Set your drop-off to 1550 Appian Way. That puts you by the beach below the pier, away from the traffic on Ocean Avenue and the pier bridge. Stairs and ramps lead up to the deck.
By bike
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also called The Strand, is a paved path that runs about 22 miles along the shore from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance. Bikes are allowed on the pier.
Parking
The Pier Bridge Improvement Project is replacing the bridge that leads onto the pier from Ocean Avenue, and the pier warns of changed traffic patterns and fewer parking spots. Lot 1 North, the beach lot just north of the pier, has new traffic patterns too.
If you are driving south on Pacific Coast Highway, you can enter Lot 1 North directly from PCH. Stay in the right lane after the California Incline, as other traffic moves left into the McClure Tunnel. From the I-10, take the 4th/5th Street exit and follow signs, or use the city’s downtown parking structures and walk. Rates vary by lot and season, so check the City of Santa Monica parking site.
Parking tips
- Arrive before 11am on summer weekends, when lots fill.
- Use a downtown structure and walk if the beach lots are full.
- Check the pier’s construction notices the week you visit.
- Consider the E Line and skip parking entirely.
Nearby
Third Street Promenade, the shopping street, is a few blocks inland. Palisades Park runs along the bluff north of the pier. Walk south along Ocean Front Walk to reach Main Street and then Venice. Our Venice guide covers the boardwalk and canals.
Tips for a better visit
Before you go
- Check Pacific Park’s calendar for closures and special hours.
- Bring a jacket for the evening. It is windy at the end of the pier.
- Watch your bags in crowds, especially on weekend evenings.
- For quieter photos, come early in the morning.
- Pair the pier with a walk to Venice or a bike ride on The Strand.
For more ideas nearby, see our main list of things to do in Los Angeles and our 3-day Los Angeles itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Santa Monica Pier free?
Yes. Walking on the pier is free. You pay for rides, games, food and parking.
What are the Santa Monica Pier hours?
The pier is open daily from 6am to 11pm. Pacific Park’s rides usually start around 11am, but check its calendar for the day.
How do I get to the Santa Monica Pier from Downtown LA?
Take the E Line from 7th Street/Metro Center to Downtown Santa Monica, about 46 minutes, then walk about 10 minutes to the pier.
Where is the best place to park?
Lot 1 North by the beach is closest, but it fills early and is affected by construction. Downtown Santa Monica parking structures are a short walk away.
Is the Ferris wheel open every day?
Pacific Park says rides run daily, weather permitting, but it posts special hours and private-event closures. Check before you go.
Official sources: Santa Monica Pier; Pacific Park; Heal the Bay Aquarium; LA Metro; Big Blue Bus; California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Photo credits
Featured image: Lorie Shaull / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0