What’s the best way to experience the Santa Monica Beach and Pier?

There are plenty of ways to experience the Santa Monica Beach and Pier. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:<ul><li><a href="/tours/Los-Angeles/Full-Day-Iconic-Sights-of-Los-Angeles-Tour/d645-47235P1" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches, and More</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Las-Vegas/Los-Angeles-and-Hollywood-Day-Tour-from-Las-Vegas/d684-50793P5" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Los Angeles and Hollywood Small Group Day Tour from Las Vegas</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Los-Angeles/A-Taste-of-LA-Half-Day-Tour-of-the-Best-Los-Angeles-has-to-offer/d645-243357P2" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Half-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Los-Angeles/Tour-of-Los-Angeles-Hollywood-Beverly-Hills-Santa-Monica-Beach-Grand-Tour-LA/d645-67760P2" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Full-Day LA Tour: Santa Monica, Hollywood & Beverly Hills</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Anaheim-and-Buena-Park/Grand-Tour-of-Los-Angeles/d797-21922P1" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Anaheim to LA: Hollywood, Beaches, & Famous Film Sites Tour</a></li></ul>

How much does it cost to visit the Santa Monica Beach and Pier in 2026?

Access to Santa Monica Beach and Pier is free. However, the 12 Pacific Park amusement rides require tickets, ranging from US$8-US$15 per ride or US$40 for an unlimited ride wristband ($20 for children 7 and under). Parking is US$7-US$18 daily, depending on the lot, season, and day.

What are the best times to visit Santa Monica Beach and Pier to avoid crowds?

The earlier in the day you visit, the smaller the crowds will be. Weekdays are less busy than weekends. The off-season months, from November to March, are generally less crowded. Avoid summer weekends, holidays, and late afternoons when tourists and locals flock here. Nearby parking lots fill up quickly in summer.

What’s there to do at Santa Monica Beach and Pier?

Santa Monica Beach and Pier features Pacific Park amusement rides—including the iconic Ferris wheel—arcade games, snack vendors, and restaurants. The beach offers swimming, surfing, volleyball courts, and the original Muscle Beach workout area. You can rent bikes to explore the beachfront path, fish from the pier, and watch street performers.

Does the Santa Monica Beach and Pier have parking?

Yes, there are multiple parking options available for the Santa Monica Beach and Pier. The main pier deck lot charges hourly and daily rates, with other beach parking and public parking lots within walking distance. Generally, the further you park from the pier, the cheaper the rates.

Is Santa Monica Pier better during the day or at night?

Whether the pier is better by night or day depends on what you want to experience. Daytime offers beach activities, clear coastline views, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Nighttime means beautiful sunset views, illuminated Pacific Park rides, a more romantic ambiance, and cooler temperatures. The pier is especially magical at sunset.

Santa Monica Beach and Pier Tours and Tickets

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Half Day Best of Los Angeles City Tour from Santa Monica

See Los Angeles’ most recognized neighborhoods and landmarks in a structured tour departing from Santa Monica. Travel by mini-coach with a guide who provides commentary throughout, reducing the need to navigate traffic or coordinate multiple stops independently. Designed for efficiency, this itinerary balances guided transport with scheduled free time, making it a practical option for visitors who want a broad city overview.

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Half Day Best of Los Angeles City Tour from Santa Monica

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Departing from Santa Monica Pier, this sightseeing tour offers a structured introduction to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Hills without navigating city traffic yourself. Travel by open-air bus while a guide provides commentary on celebrity homes, filming locations, and notable Los Angeles landmarks. Designed for efficiency, the tour combines scenic driving with scheduled stops, making it a practical option for visitors based in Santa Monica.

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Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Home Tour from Santa Monica

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo

7 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

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See Los Angeles’ key neighborhoods and landmarks in one full-day tour designed to reduce planning and travel stress. With hotel pickup included, you can focus on the experience while a guide provides context and local insight along the way. This tour offers a practical overview of the city, moving efficiently from urban highlights to coastal areas, making it a strong choice for first-time visitors or short stays.

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Tour of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Beach with Hotel Pickup

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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See Los Angeles efficiently on a guided city tour that removes the need to plan routes, drive, or manage parking. With hotel pickup and drop-off included, you can focus on understanding the city while a guide provides context across key neighborhoods, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach. This tour is designed to give first-time visitors a clear overview of LA in one day, helping you decide where to return on your own.

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LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Beach Tour with Hotel Pickup

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Enjoy the best of Los Angeles with this three hour guided bike tour that begins in Santa Monica near the famous Santa Monica Pier! Take in the ocean breezes, visit the historic Venice Canals, ride through Marina del Rey, take pictures with the Art Walls, and explore Muscle Beach. The sunny California weather makes this tour a fun and beautiful experience for culture enthusiasts and history buffs. Our guides will provide you with fun facts, surprising secrets, and photo opportunities while you soak in the beauty of Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Upgrade your tour to an electric bike for an easier ride! This guided tour takes about 3 hours and is perfect for families, friend groups, couples, and solo riders! Get the local feel while you learn on this relaxed ride! Attachments like tag-a-longs and trailers are not permitted on this tour.

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Santa Monica and Venice Beach 3-Hour Bike Guided Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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Enjoy the best of Los Angeles with this two hour guided e-Bike tour that begins in Santa Monica near the famous Santa Monica Pier! You must be at least 16 to ride our pedal assist e-Bikes. Take in the ocean breezes, visit the historic Venice Canals, ride through Marina del Rey, take pictures with the Art Walls, and explore Muscle Beach. You’ll be able to visit all of the main highlights that the area has to offer, while learning fun facts, seeing beautiful views, and more! This guided tour takes about 3 hours, including various stops near essential attractions while our guides provide in-depth narration and stop for photo opportunities at famous sights and hidden gems throughout the tour.

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Santa Monica and Venice Beach Electric Bike Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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Explore the iconic landmarks of Los Angeles in one full day starting from our convenient location in Santa Monica. This comprehensive tour covers must-see attractions like Hollywood, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills, Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign allowing you to experience the vibrant culture and sights of LA. Enjoy up to 40 minutes at each stop (an 1-hour for lunch), guided by a knowledgeable tour guide who shares fun facts and history. Travel in comfort on a luxury small tour bus with complimentary bottled water. - Full day tour lasting approximately 7.5 hours with six iconi stops - Just a few spots you'd see up close and personal include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Park, Muscle Beach, Rodeo Drive and the famous Farmers' Market at the Grove - The drive will be great as well we cruise past famous Sunset strip and celebrity sighting locations! - Ideal for families , first-time visitors to Los Angeles and those looking for an overivew of the whole city!

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Full Day Iconic Sites Tour of LA from Santa Monica with Six Stops

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Private Rickshaw Tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach

1 hourFree Cancellation

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Discover the highlights of Los Angeles on a small-group full-day tour from Anaheim. Visit famous movie and TV locales such as Hollywood's Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Stop for lunch at the farmer's market, then wind down your day at Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. Your small-group tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels Anaheim Resort Area and Buena Park.

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Anaheim to LA: Hollywood, Beaches & Famous Film Sites tour

9 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Full-Day LA Tour: Santa Monica, Hollywood and Beverly Hills

7 hoursFree Cancellation

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Los Angeles is filled with must-see landmarks, from the famous Hollywood sign to Santa Monica Pier. But neighborhoods are spread out, and it can be tough to make much progress with limited time to spare. Ideal for time-pressed travelers, this easy half-day tour covers the highlights by luxury bus. Depart from Hollywood or Santa Monica, and take in destinations like Rodeo Drive and Griffith Observatory without dedicating days to sightseeing.

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Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops and Free Time

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Explore Los Angeles at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour, featuring two distinct routes—the Hollywood Loop and the Beach Shuttle. Highlights include iconic stops like the TCL Chinese Theatre, Sunset Plaza, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and coastal gems like the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk. Choose between a 1-day or 2-day ticket, and enjoy extras like celebrity homes or a TCL Chinese Theatre walking tour.

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Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Explore two of Los Angeles' most popular areas—Santa Monica and Venice Beach—in one time-saving excursion, all thanks to this small-group Segway tour. Cover more than you could see on a walking tour as you zip straight to the top sights, including Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Boardwalk, and Muscle Beach. Along the way, listen as your guide narrates the area’s history and culture. This beginner-friendly tour also includes a brief orientation and safety equipment.

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Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Explore Santa Monica and Venice like a local on this guided bike tour. Ride through these coastal towns on a classic beach cruiser. Experience the famous boardwalk and canals, go to hidden spots, and learn about the history of these Los Angeles neighborhoods. The tour passes by the Santa Monica Pier and stops at Muscle Beach. You’ll be able to visit Abbot Kinney Boulevard for juice or coffee before heading up Main Street.

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Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Spend a half-day sightseeing in Los Angeles during this guided tour from Long Beach. With an expert local guide and a small group of fourteen people or less, see LA landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Follow your guide to filming locations of famous movies, explore Hollywood Boulevard and see one of the biggest ports in the US. This tour includes round-trip transportation from Long Beach hotels.

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Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach

8 hoursFree Cancellation

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Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime when you soar above all that Los Angeles has to offer for 60 minutes on a doors-off, glare-free aerial helicopter photography flight. Leaving Long Beach, heading straight to Downtown Long Beach and the the Queen Mary ship. Then, over the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the famous Vincent Thomas Bridge, seen in the movie 'Gone in 60 Seconds' with Nicholas Cage. From there you will see the USS Battleship Iowa and head around the magnificent Palos Verdes Peninsula. Then up to the Manhattan Beach Pier, skimming along the waves through LAX and up to the famous Venice Beach. Upon reaching the iconic Santa Monica Pier you will head inland over Beverly Hills, UCLA, and Hollywood before cruising by the timeless Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park Observatory. Then you will head over to the Dodgers Stadium and Downtown LA, marveling at the height of the US Bank building, the tallest on the West Coast, before heading back to Long Beach.

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LA Private Doors-Off Aerial Photography Helicopter Adventure

1 hourFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach

8 hoursFree Cancellation

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Discover the best of Los Angeles all in one day on this convenient and accessible bus tour. Meet your guide in the heart of Hollywood, and set off. You’ll get to take photos on the Walk of Fame, will disembark for a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier, will stop for lunch (own expense) at the Hollywood Farmers Market, will head to the Griffith Observatory for Hollywood Sign views, and more.

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All Day LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

7 hoursFree Cancellation

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Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Discover Los Angeles' vibrant energy and diverse culture with our self-guided audio tour app, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. Begin at the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, the heart of Tinseltown, then proceed to the impressive TCL Chinese Theatre, a landmark of cinema history. Immerse yourself in Hollywood glamour at the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, before admiring the lively atmosphere of the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Stroll down the elegant Rodeo Drive to the Getty Center, home to a vast collection of art and stunning architecture. Experience the vibrant food scene at the famous Grand Central Market, LA's most popular culinary destination, then marvel at the stunning Griffith Observatory and its extensive views of the city and stars. Continue your tour at Santa Monica Pier, exploring its classic amusements and ascending Pacific Park's Ferris wheel for panoramic ocean views, embodying the blend of entertainment and natural beauty that defines LA.

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Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets

Member Pricing

See major Los Angeles highlights on a guided tour designed to balance sightseeing with comfort and efficiency. Travel in a small group with a guide who provides context on the city’s neighborhoods, entertainment history, and landmarks. The structured route includes photo stops at the Beverly Hills Sign, Santa Monica Pier, and Hollywood Sign Overlook, helping first-time visitors understand how key areas connect while supporting a personal experience.

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Half Day LA Tour: Hollywood, Celebrity Homes, Santa Monica

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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What are people saying about Santa Monica Beach and Pier

Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo

Jennifer_Y, Oct 2026

Great tour!!

Raul was a great guide. Gave great instructions at each location and a lot of info along the way. Great way to mark off several things in one day!

Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo

breyonna_b, Oct 2026

Day in LA is the best!

I had a blast on this tour! Our tour guide, George, was a delight. Very knowledgeable about all things California, and very funny as well! I would strongly recommend out of towners such as myself to tour with this company. Thank you!

All Day LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

YathendraMadineni, Oct 2026

Non AC windowless bus....

Non AC windowless bus. Watch out for LA heat. Guide Mr. Hollywood is amazing and energetic. Gives great historical background.

Santa Monica and Venice Beach Electric Bike Tour

Jeremy_J, Jul 2026

I’d do this again!

This was a wonderfully entertaining and informative tour of Santa Monica and Venice. Conrad was hilarious, informative, and helpful. We’ve already recommended the tour to friends who will be visiting in the near future.