Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is LA's 100 year old carnival pier and the endpoint of Route 66, featuring an iconic Ferris wheel and rides.
The Santa Monica Pier stretches into the Pacific where Colorado Avenue meets Ocean Avenue, ranking among the most photographed locations in the world. The century-old carnival pier features a distinctive Ferris wheel above the water and serves as the western endpoint of Route 66, offering a classic California backdrop.
Santa Monica Pier History and Attractions
Built in 1909 as the first concrete pier on the West Coast, Santa Monica Pier remains a popular fishing destination. The structure marks the western endpoint of Route 66, with the well-known End of Route 66 sign displayed in the middle of the pier for visiting photographers. As LA's centennial carnival pier, the location combines historic concrete construction with active carnival attractions.
Best Photo Spots
Here is 1 spot to photograph at Santa Monica Pier, a beachfront landmark on the California coast.
Santa Monica Pier
Photographs of This Location
Photographic Subjects at Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier features several photographic subjects spanning over a century of history, including the 1916 Looff Hippodrome, a National Historic Landmark that houses a carousel added in 1939. Since 2009, the pier has also held the distinction of being the official western terminus of Route 66, marked by a sign on site. For more contemporary subject matter, Pacific Park has operated on the pier since opening on May 25, 1996, making it the first new attraction there since the 1930s.
Common Questions
The Santa Monica Pier is located at the end of Colorado Ave in Santa Monica, at 200 Santa Monica Pier, CA 90401.
Photography at Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier, a historic landmark at the heart of Santa Monica, lies within the larger Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Its small amusement park, Pacific Park, contains 12 rides including the West Coaster and the Pacific Wheel, the first solar-powered Ferris wheel, and the pier also holds concession stands, fishing areas, and viewpoints over the ocean. The concentration of rides, fishing activity, and open coastline in one accessible location offers strong subjects for photography throughout the day.
Practical Information
end of Colorado Ave; 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Parking at the Santa Monica Pier includes street parking, a parking lot, valet parking, and a parking garage.; Beach Parking Lot 1 North; Beach Parking Lot 1 South Short Term Parking
12PM-7PM / 11AM-9PM / 11AM-10PM; The pier functions as a venue for outdoor concerts, movies, and other public activities.
Free (no license needed); Pacific Park is Los Angeles' only admission-free amusement park.
The Pier and all surrounding attractions remain fully open throughout the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Improvement Project construction.
Session Tips
- At night, it is fun to take photos of the Ferris wheel and the ocean crashing below the pier.
- Photographers on foot can reach the pier via the pedestrian access sidewalk that runs alongside the car ramp at Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue.
- Because the pier is so widely photographed, photographers must work to find a unique way of capturing it.
- Use the carousel at Santa Monica Pier for playful photos.
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- The Santa Monica Pier has on-site elevators for accessibility.
- Parking
- There is street parking around Ocean Blvd or parking in the lot near the pier for $10-$15 a day, depending on the season.
- Walking distance
- 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401-3128
- Bike friendly
- The Marvin Braude Bike Trail (the Strand) is a paved path that runs 22 miles along the shore and connects directly to the pier.