top 10

Santa Monica Pier Carousel

Claim
marker

200 Santa Monica Pier (at Ocean Avenue)
Santa Monica, CA 90401

marker
(310) 395-4248
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Pier Carousel - Santa Monica, CA
Reviews
( 10 )
( 13 )
( 4 )
( 3 )
( 3 )

Best

Santa Monica Beach is a great way to spend a day. Check out the 100 year old Santa Monica Pier with a carousel, giant Ferris wheel and game shops. You can explore by renting bike...

Worst

I just don't get it - why do people make a big deal out of such a rundown, trashy pier? I know it used to be famous so if you're going to re-live past pop culture that's one thin...

what an advenure! 6/25/2010

I've seen it on TV and in movies but what an experience to be able to walk on the pier and visit the shops and restaurants. Plenty to see and enjoy...great family outting! more
Reply | Report abuse |

hope you enjoy like i did 6/1/2010

great place to get away and relax.. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Santa Monica pier 10/14/2009

This is a good place for the family!!! Pros: This place is great!!! more
Reply | Report abuse |

great spot 1/5/2009

this is such a great spot to spend an afternoon or evening with some friends, theres food games and rides! you have little vendors or the bubba gump. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great for kids and worth seeing 8/7/2008

If you go to the pier expecting a super cool stretch of bars and restaurants out over the water then you're going to be disappointed. The pier is definitely not a place to go out to, but it is a great landmark, and worth checking out. Kids will love the park that's there and it's small enough that the park is not an all day commitment in the slightest. If you're in the area it's worth checking out, at least just to waste some time, but I'm a fan. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Fun to see if you happen to be in the area 6/26/2008

I get that the pier is one of the most iconic parts of Santa Monica and the L.A. area as a whole, but to me, it was no more special or different than any other beachfront amusement park I?ve been to. Typical rides, arcades, game stands and carnival treats, though the new energy-efficient Ferris wheel is pretty cool to see (a lot more lights than the old one). Bottom line, if you?re looking to walk around Santa Monica for a bit or are in the area and have time to spare, this place is a nice stop, but not a must visit in my opinion. One thing I will say for it though, it does have a great atmosphere for a first date! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Disappointed 8/12/2007

The pier is a landmark for Santa Monica, but it's good only for a peek. I was disappointed when we visited as it was dingy (I know it's old) and very average. It's also super windy which made it unenjoyable. I'd also like to mention that it is overpriced, I had a bad funnel cake. Some performers were pathetic as well. We didn't spend much time there, but SKIP IT! The beach is great, but that's a totally seperate thing. Pros: It's a piece of history Cons: Overpriced, Old, Dingy, Ordinary more
Reply | Report abuse |

great outings 5/7/2007

I have many fond memories at the pier. I remember during my high school years, strolling around the carnival, playing the little games. Also, during the summertime they have this awesome film screening series that they play on the dock? I remember two summers ago, I watched ?Top Gun? and ?Westside Story.? And it was nice just coming out with a sleeping bag and some snacks for a night of free entertainment. \r more
Reply | Report abuse |

Awesome experience; sketchy at night 11/13/2006

I've been down on the beach at night many times, and one night we decided to take a walk along the beach towards the pier fairly late. We were pleasantly surprised to find everything still open past 10pm and decided to take a look around. Their arcade is neat, and their ferris wheel is pretty romantic! They now have a Bubba Gump's and it's open very late. Towards the very end of the pier, the aroma of fish is overpowering and it's a bit too sketchy in the dimly-lit areas of the pier. But it's really close to the Promenade and was very fun! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Santa Monica Pier 6/21/2004

I live in Oregon now, but I was born and raised in Santa Monica. Nothing makes me as homesick as seeing the Santa Monica Pier on television or in a movie. I watch some movies (Falling Down, Buddy System, L.A. Story, for instance) just for the Los Angeles landmarks. more
Reply | Report abuse |

a SoCal classic 5/3/2004

i remember going here as a kid with my parents. though i don't hop on the antique classica carousel anymore, i still love the cotton candy and the fresh, greasy potato chips. not a huge fan of the crowds or the Pacific Park amusements, but for the adventurous: the pier is nice and quiet well past sunset. Pros: classic more
Reply | Report abuse |

Fun if you don't expect too much 5/2/2004

The arcade is a good size, the carousel is always fun, and the ferris wheel offers a fun perspective of the beach from a different angle. Bike rental shops are nearby, and everyone from visitors to residents use the beach and Palisades Park to exercise or enjoy Bay views (which is probably the best thing about the area!). As others state, drawbacks include summer and weekend crowds, parking (can be expensive and hard to find, esp. weekends), the restaurants are overpriced and ho-hum, and the park/beach area does have a consistent homeless population. If you want a more pristine beach, head towards the Malibu area; if you want a really fun pier/boardwalk, go about 350 miles north to Santa Cruz; if you want people-watching, head down to Venice Beach. Pros: Beach/Bay views more
Reply | Report abuse |

Trashy and Downtrodden 3/20/2004

I just don't get it - why do people make a big deal out of such a rundown, trashy pier? I know it used to be famous so if you're going to re-live past pop culture that's one thing, but in and of itself, SM Pier is disgusting. There is not one shop/restaurant worth entering, the 'street performers' are basically Promenade wannabes who couldn't make the grade, and the amusement park has no allure/nostalgic value for anyone over the age of 4. On top of this, there is a depressing, filthy air about the place. If you want to shop or see street performers go to the 3rd St. Promenade; if you want charm, go to Main St.; if you want a pier, go to Venice Pier; if you want wacky people, go to Venice Beach. But save yourself the time and money and pass on Santa Monica Pier. Cons: , Rundown, Expensive more
Reply | Report abuse |

Fun, but expensive! 3/30/2003

It's definitely a fun place to go, but it is quite expensive. Parking is somewhat difficult, and each ride costs a ton of money. It is fun, though. And it is beautiful at night time to go on the Ferris Wheel over the beach. Just bring money if you want to do anything besides walk on a pier. Pros: ocean, rides, food Cons: little parking, expensive more
Reply | Report abuse |

Hype? What Hype? 9/5/2002

Santa Monica Pier. What's the hype about this place? There's nothing here that no other 'fair' wouldn't have. I'll admit, it's a nice beach, somewhere nice to eat, sit and talk, or even stare at the stars (as any other beach), but I'll have to say this isn't the BEST atraction Santa Monica has. There are games for kids to play, and stuffed animals you could win (just like any other theme park). The beach is clean, and so is everything else surrounding it, but i think this is REALLY over rated! It's great for kids and family, but it's REALLY small! You'd have more games and toys to win somewhere else. You'd probably be down seeing everything here in less than 30 or even 20 minutes! That's how small it is! Pros: inexpensive Cons: hard parking, over rated more
Reply | Report abuse |

FUN! 8/26/2002

I love the Santa Monica Pier. It's definitely somewhere I always go when I have a day off work. My mom and I have had a tradition where she comes up from San Diego once a year just to go to the pier. There's so much to do from shops, rides, beach, people watching, artists, performers, eats, arcades...it's such a great atmosphere with the beach right there at your feet and so much to do and eat. There's fast food or sit down restaurants..whatever you prefer. There's definitely something fo everyone here. You're missing out if you don't check it out! Pros: fun, great atmoshere, a lot to do Cons: bathrooms kinda yucky more
Reply | Report abuse |

Don't buy the hype! 8/11/2002

I like Santa Monica, but the Pier itself is vastly overrated. Any New Jersey boardwalk puts it to shame. As an easterner, I was shocked in how little this pier offered. I notice the positive reviews mention how the beach is nice, the pedestrian mall is nice, etc. All true, but the pier itself is not on my list of things to see when I am in LA Pros: Free, besides parking Cons: No much there, Too many hucksters more
Reply | Report abuse |

Nostalgic Charm 8/6/2002

The Santa Monica Pier has been a place to come for many years. Generation after generation have come to enjoy the beach and the charm the pier has to offer more
Reply | Report abuse |

Sun + Sand + Ferris Wheel = Great Times 8/6/2002

Santa Monica Pier is a great place for outings with friends, family and lovers. Go during the day for fun with family and friends. They have a full arcade complete with air hockey and many midway games. Just off the pier there is a park complete with play equipment 4 the kids. At night or dusk is the place to go with your partner. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel and relax. Take a stroll on the beach and cuddle up on the sand. The food at this place is a bit pricey, so I would recommend a picnic. Parking is a pain and a bit expensive, but it's better than going to citywalk. Pros: Shops, Games, Ferris Wheel Cons: Crowded @ times, Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Pierless fun. 7/29/2002

The Santa Monica Pier is a connection spot for many people. I found that my wife remembers it fondly as a place visited many times where family fun was on the menu. Though the pier walk is shorter due to the ravages of time and El NINO; its beach hasn't shrunk much - just the availability of parking. It was still worth the trip to talk and people watch. It was a bit cold for us, but the water was perfect for taking a dip. As arcades go, the value was just not there, but the Ferris-wheel still spins, the rollercoaster rolls, and a restored merry-go-round completes the ambiance of this timeless treasure. Pros: Family enjoyment, Crowds were small, Parking was $3.50 Cons: Parking is limited, Arcade was crowded more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 Next >
Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • Youll see a little of everything at the Santa Monica Pier, but on nice days, its a fun place to bring the family for some old-fashioned...

  • 11/11/2012 Provided by KidScore
Additional information
  • Hours: Wed 9am-2pm Sat 8:30am-1pm
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: West LA, Downtown
badge