Santa Monica Pier

As you walk along the Santa Monica Pier, you'll pass street performers break-dancing, singing, painting, sculpting, playing instruments and more. The pier is known for the rides at Pacific Park. The roller coaster and ferris wheel against the background of crashing waves is perfect for any thrill-seeker. The Sea Dragon ride will give you chills as you swing through the air 180 degrees. The West Coaster, a 55-foot-high steel roller coaster, will have you zipping along at 35 miles per hour. To take advantage of the bright California sun, the ferris wheel at the pier is powered by solar energy. The kiddos will enjoy the bumper cars, miniature golf, arcade games and smaller rides.

Test your fear of heights at the Trapeze School at Santa Monica Pier. The school, which started in New York, has daily trapeze classes, team building workshops, private classes, rope courses, acrobatic yoga and professional acrobatic and aerial shows, and medieval sword combat. 

Visit the pier directory to see all the pier's attractions and the specific hours each place is open to the public. 

A slice of history

The original Santa Monica Pier was opened in 1909 and was a popular location for swimming races, concerts and entertainment. Several years later, the pier's first amusement park opened, with the building of the now historic carousel and the Blue Streak Racer roller coaster. In the early 1930s, gamblers set up shop on boats off the pier, and shuttle boats brought gamblers to mobster Tony Cornero's floating gambling centers. The operation was shut down by the federal government. When the pier was in danger of closing in 1983, "The Twilight Dance Series" began, which is still part of the pier's enchantment today. Pacific Park opened in 1996, and now families have a reason to visit the pier, with many attractions and entertainment venues.

The Pier in pop culture

Many musicians and bands have shot music videos at Santa Monica Pier, including The Doors, A Fine Frenzy, MC Hammer, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Tori Amos, Hannah Montana, 30 Seconds to Mars and more.

Episodes of popular television shows have featured the pier also, including 24, The Amazing Race, Flashforward,  Three's Company, Gilmore Girls and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. 

- by Jessica Bates, Santa Monica Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jessica Bates

Jessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.