Santa Monica and Venice Beach
The best of Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
The pier and its rides, the Venice boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the skatepark and the canals: here is how to see both in one day, with honest advice on what costs money, parking and whether the water is clean enough to swim.
See our 3 picks
Short answer Santa Monica Pier is free to walk onto and worth an hour or two for its rides and ocean views. You pay only for rides, games and food. The pier is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pair it with Venice Beach, a short bike ride south on the beach path. A guided bike tour links the two from €68 per person.
Our 3 picks for Santa Monica and Venice
A guided bike ride along the beach, a Venice food walk and a donut walk in Santa Monica. All three start in Santa Monica or Venice.
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from €68 per person Our top pick 3 hours 4.4 (33) reviews on GetYourGuide
Santa Monica to Venice by bike or e-bike
A 3-hour, 7–8 mile ride with a guide from near the pier, along the beach path to Muscle Beach, the art walls and Marina del Rey. Bike or e-bike, helmet and bag are included.
Best for Active visitors who want both areas in one go
Check availability: Santa Monica to Venice by bike or e-bike on GetYourGuide -
from €89 per person 3.5 hours 4.1 (24) reviews on GetYourGuide
Venice Beach food walk with six tastings
A 3.5-hour walk in Venice with a local guide and at least six tastings: an açaí bowl, an empanada, a fish taco, quesabirria, shaved ice and a secret dish. Street art stories come along the way.
Best for Food lovers and first-timers in Venice
Check availability: Venice Beach food walk with six tastings on GetYourGuide -
from €62 per person 2 hours 4.7 (9) reviews on GetYourGuide
Santa Monica donut walk
A relaxed 2-hour walk through central Santa Monica with tastings at four donut shops, including the famous Randy's Donuts. The route is wheelchair and stroller friendly.
Best for Families and anyone with a sweet tooth
Check availability: Santa Monica donut walk on GetYourGuide
Santa Monica and Venice tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Group size | Pickup | Free cancellation | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica to Venice by bike or e-bike | €68 per person | 3 hours | Standard group: Up to 15 people | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Active visitors who want both areas in one go | The only guided tour that links the pier and Venice, rated 4.4 from 33 reviews. |
| Venice Beach food walk with six tastings | €89 per person | 3.5 hours | Standard group: Up to 12 people | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Food lovers and first-timers in Venice | Lunch and a Venice walk in one, in a group of up to 12; rated 4.1 from 24 reviews. |
| Santa Monica donut walk | €62 per person | 2 hours | Standard group: Up to 20 people | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Families and anyone with a sweet tooth | The highest-rated pick here (4.7 from 9 reviews) and an easy, flat walk for all ages. |
Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Is Santa Monica Pier worth it? What it costs and how long to stay
Santa Monica Pier is worth a visit if you want views, a classic fairground and an easy walk. It is free to walk onto the pier. You pay only for what you use: rides, games, food and parking.
One to two hours is enough for most visitors. Stay longer if you have children who want the rides. Come near sunset for the best light and the Ferris wheel lights.
The pier suits families, first-time visitors and photo lovers. It suits people who dislike crowds less well. On sunny weekends it gets very busy.
What is on Santa Monica Pier: Pacific Park, the aquarium and the carousel
The pier has a small amusement park, an aquarium, a carousel, an arcade and places to eat. Here is what to expect.
- Pacific Park: the fairground with the Ferris wheel and a roller coaster. Entry is free and you pay per ride or buy a wristband. Time Out lists single rides at $8–$20 and an unlimited wristband at $40.
- Heal the Bay Aquarium: a small aquarium at beach level under the pier. Its opening hours are short, so check them before you go.
- The historic carousel: the pier's old merry-go-round. It is closed on some weekdays, so check the hours.
- The Route 66 sign: an "End of the Trail" sign on the pier. It is a replica. The real end of Route 66 is a few blocks inland.
- Bikes: bike rental and bike share are on the pier, so you can ride straight onto the beach path.
Venice Beach: the boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the skatepark and the canals
Venice Beach is worth visiting for its people-watching, street art and beach sports. It is louder and rougher than Santa Monica. That is part of its charm.
Venice Beach boardwalk
Yes, Venice Beach has a boardwalk. Its official name is Ocean Front Walk. It is a paved path, not wooden boards, lined with shops, food stands and street performers.
Muscle Beach
Muscle Beach is the famous outdoor gym on the Venice boardwalk. It is part of the city's Venice Beach Recreation Center. You can watch for free from the path.
Venice Beach skatepark
The skatepark sits right on the sand next to the boardwalk. It opened in 2009. Skaters ride the bowls most days, and anyone can watch from the edge.
Venice canals
The Venice canals are a quiet area of small bridges and homes a few minutes inland from the boardwalk. The first canals opened in 1905, but most were filled in later. The canals you can walk today are a later set. They became a city landmark in 1983.
Things to do in Venice, Los Angeles
Walk the boardwalk, watch the skaters, stroll the canals and eat on the go. The food walk above covers the eating part with a guide.
Santa Monica Beach and downtown: things to do in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Beach is the wide, sandy beach on both sides of the pier. It is good for a walk, a ride on the beach path or a lie in the sun.
Downtown Santa Monica and the Third Street Promenade are about a 10-minute walk from the pier. The donut walk above starts there. The area has shops, cafés and the Metro station.
How to see Santa Monica and Venice in one day
The easiest way to see both in one day is by bike on the beach path. The paved path runs 22 miles along the coast, from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance. It passes the pier and Venice Beach.
A simple plan: start at the pier in the morning, ride or walk south to Venice, have lunch there, see the canals and ride back for sunset. You can rent a bike on the pier. The guided bike tour above does the same route with a guide.
Bike, food or donut tour: which Santa Monica tour to book
Book the bike tour if you want to cover both areas and see the coast. Book the food walk if Venice and lunch are your main goal. Book the donut walk for an easy, flat outing with children.
Most picks show free cancellation on their booking page; check the exact cut-off there. None of them include hotel pickup, so check the meeting point before you book.
Getting to Santa Monica Pier and parking
The easiest way to get to Santa Monica Pier without a car is the Metro E Line. It ends at Downtown Santa Monica station. From there, walk west on Colorado Avenue and over the pier bridge.
If you drive, park in the pier deck, the beach lots or the downtown parking garages. Posted rates apply in all of them. On busy days the downtown garages are the safer bet.
Safety and swimming: honest notes
The beach is fine for a walk, but think twice about swimming right next to the pier. Heal the Bay's 2025–26 report put Santa Monica Pier among California's most polluted beaches. Storm drains near the pier are the main problem.
Heal the Bay advises staying out of the water for at least 72 hours after rain. It also says to stay away from storm drains and check water grades before you swim.
For personal safety, treat the pier and the boardwalk like any busy tourist area. Keep valuables close and stay where other people are after dark.
A short history of Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is really two piers side by side. The long municipal pier opened in 1909. It first carried sewer pipes out past the waves.
In 1916 Charles Looff added a pleasure pier next to it, with a carousel and rides. Today that side holds Pacific Park, the fairground. In 2009 the pier got its "End of the Trail" sign for Route 66.
Tips for the pier and the beach
Come at sunset
The light is best in the late afternoon, and the Ferris wheel lights come on after dark.
Ride the beach path
Rent a bike on the pier and ride south to Venice. It is flat and you skip the traffic.
Take the train
The Metro E Line ends a short walk from the pier, so you can skip parking altogether.
Check the water first
Look up Heal the Bay's beach grades before you swim, and skip the water for three days after rain.
Leave the dog on the pier
Leashed dogs are welcome on the pier, but not on the beach.
Check what is included
Tour prices are per person. Food tours include the tastings; the bike tour includes the bike and helmet.
Questions people ask
Is Santa Monica Pier worth going to?
Yes, for an hour or two. It is free to walk on, has views along the coast and a small fairground. Come near sunset, and pair it with Venice Beach.
Why is Santa Monica Pier so famous?
It is one of LA's best-known landmarks: a pier from 1909 with a fairground on the ocean and a sign for the end of Route 66. Its Ferris wheel over the ocean makes it easy to spot in photos of LA.
How much does it cost to enter Santa Monica Pier?
Nothing. Walking onto the pier is free, and so is entry to Pacific Park. You pay for rides, games, food and parking.
Is it safe to go to Santa Monica Pier right now?
For a daytime visit, most people have no trouble. It is a busy public place, so keep valuables close. The main thing to avoid is swimming next to the pier, where water quality is often poor.
Where to avoid in LA right now?
We don't publish a list of "bad" areas. In any part of LA, avoid empty streets late at night and keep bags closed. For this area, the busy pier and boardwalk are fine by day.
Why do locals not swim in Santa Monica Beach?
Many do swim, but not right by the pier. Heal the Bay ranked the pier among California's most polluted beaches in its 2025–26 report, mainly because of storm drains. Swim farther from the pier, and skip the water for 72 hours after rain.
Is Venice Boardwalk worth visiting?
Yes, if you like street life. It is noisy, colourful and full of performers, skaters and stalls. Give it an hour or two, and add the quiet canals nearby.
Does Venice Beach have a boardwalk?
Yes. It is called Ocean Front Walk. It is a paved path along the sand, not a wooden boardwalk.
More Santa Monica and Venice tours with live availability
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Facts checked on 22 October 2026 against: Santa Monica Pier: FAQs · Time Out: Pacific Park · Santa Monica Conservancy: Santa Monica Pier · Roadside America: Route 66 End of the Trail sign · LA Recreation and Parks: Venice Beach · LA Recreation and Parks: Venice Beach Skate Park · KCET: The lost canals of Venice · LA County Beaches and Harbors: beach bike path · Santa Monica Travel: Metro E Line · Spectrum News: Heal the Bay 2025–26 report.
Written by the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team.