Pacific Park
Pacific Park is marketed as LA's only admission-free amusement park.
Pacific Park sits on the Santa Monica Pier in California, the West Coast's only amusement park built directly on a pier and Los Angeles County's only admission-free park. Its Pacific Wheel is the world's first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel, and the pier is a state-registered landmark and a year-round destination for photographers.
Santa Monica Pier's Historic Wooden Deck
The Santa Monica Pier, originally built in 1909 to carry sewer pipes out beyond the breakers, features a wooden deck that is now over 100 years old and lends an aged character to any shot taken at deck level. After a restoration effort, the 2-acre Pacific Park opened on the site in 1996 as a full-scale family amusement park, introducing a modern counterpoint to the historic timber planking. Photographers should note that smoking is prohibited across the pier deck and confined to designated beach-level areas, which keeps the air clearer during longer sessions near the rides.
Best Photo Spots
Inside Pacific Park, this guide lists 1 photography spot: the coastal Santa Monica Pier.
Santa Monica Pier
Photographs of This Location
Historic Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier
Pacific Park sits on the historic Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, where the structure has served the community for more than a century. The site was previously home to amusements such as the George Looff Hippodrome and the La Monica Swing, and its recognizable profile has appeared in countless movies and television shows. As an internationally recognized symbol of Southern California culture, the pier combines an active amusement park with a coastal setting.
Common Questions
Commercial filming and photography at Pacific Park are prohibited without prior arrangements and may require filming permits.
No, Pacific Park is LA's only admission-free amusement park with no fees to enter; visitors pay only for rides and games.
The Pacific Wheel is the world's first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel.
No, Pacific Park is non-gated and free to enter, but individual rides charge a fee.
No, Pacific Park has a No Drone policy as regulated by the FAA.
Pacific Park opened on May 25, 1996.
Practical Information
Metro Expo Line, 46 minutes, $1.75; Big Blue Bus Route 8; Drop-off at 1541 Ocean Ave 120, Santa Monica, CA 90401
1550 Appian Way, Santa Monica, CA 90401; $3-$15 per day; Paid street parking or nearby parking lots
Year-round; 365 days a year; 6 AM – 10 PM
Free admission; rides charged individually; Free admission; $17
Permit required for commercial; No drones; Pacific Park provides a separate guide covering film shoot and photography permit rules for the Santa Monica Pier.
Session Tips
- Personal non-commercial use of cameras and video recorders is allowed at Pacific Park, though some rides may restrict cameras for safety.
- The best walking path from Downtown Santa Monica to the Pier is under the historic Santa Monica Pier and Yacht Harbor sign at Ocean and Colorado.
- Shooting from the beach rather than the pier deck avoids foot traffic cutting through the frame of the Ferris wheel on busy days.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:25 PM - 1:50 PM
1:50 PM - 2:50 PM
12:35 AM - 1:35 AM
1:35 AM - 2:00 AM
Best Season
Year-round
Avoid
Off season
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:59 | 17:08 | 10h 8m |
| Feb | 06:38 | 17:38 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:04 | 19:01 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 19:25 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:52 | 19:48 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:42 | 20:06 | 14h 24m |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:05 | 14h 11m |
| Aug | 06:15 | 19:40 | 13h 24m |
| Sep | 06:37 | 19:00 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:59 | 18:19 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:26 | 16:50 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:52 | 16:46 | 9h 54m |
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- The back side of the Santa Monica Pier is accessible by wheel-chair accessible ramps from Ocean Front Walk.
- Parking
- Accessible parking for visitors with mobility impairments is available at Lot 1 North (1550 Appian Way) and Lot 1 South (1640 Appian Way).
- Public transit
- Metro Expo Line to Downtown Santa Monica Station (4th and Colorado); 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA; Metro Expo Line
- Walking distance
- 10 minutes
- Bike friendly
- The pier connects to a meandering bike path linking Santa Monica to neighboring Venice Beach via Ocean Front Walk.