Santa Monica Pier - Things to Do in Santa Monica
In this episode of "
California Travel Tips,"
I'll show you the sights and attractions of
Santa Monica Pier — one of the best things to do in
Santa Monica! Santa Monica Pier is one of the
West Coast's oldest pleasure piers, dating back to
1909.
Pacific Park is one of the best Santa Monica attractions, serving up all kinds of family fun — from carnival-style boardwalk amusements to fast moving roller coasters.
It's the West Coast's only amusement park located on a pier.
Be sure to ride on the
Pacific Wheel — the world's first solar-powered
Ferris wheel — then hop aboard the
West Coaster, which travels 35 miles per hour around the pier. At the
Playland Arcade, you can play vintage video games or get your fortune told by Zoltar, a famous icon from the movie "
Big."
While you're touring Santa Monica Pier, be sure to take a spin on the 1922 carousel, which was featured in
Paul Newman's movie,
The Sting.
Featuring 44 hand-carved horses, the Santa Monica Pier carousel is located inside the historic Santa Monica Loof Hippodrome, which was built in
1916.
Downstairs, at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium run by
Heal the Bay, you can get a close-up look at moon jellies, moray eels and other
Pacific ocean sea life.
Most Santa Monica Pier restaurants serve up typical fun park fare — ranging from funnel cakes and churros to
Dippin' Dots and Icees. There are several full service restaurants on the pier, or you can head down to the Santa Monica boardwalk for a
Hot Dog on a Stick, an icon here since 1946. (This was the first restaurant in the famous chain.)
Bring your circus dreams to life at the
Trapeze School of
New York, or rent a bike for a leisurely ride to
Venice Beach.
The South Bay
Bicycle Trail in Santa Monica is the world's longest beach cycling path, stretching 22 miles from Torrance to
Malibu.
Santa Monica
Muscle Beach dates back to the
1930s. This outdoor gym, which was a favorite hangout for
Jack LaLane, is credited as being the birthplace of
America's fitness boom. All of the equipment here is free to use, from the rings and bars to the tightropes. The Muscle Beach in Venice Beach now caters to the weight lifting crowd.
Just across the way is
International Chess Park, which boasts a human-size chessboard and a variety of free permanent tables.
Did we forget your favorite Santa Monica Pier attraction or restaurant?
Let us know in the comments below!
SUBSCRIBE!
http://tinyurl.com/p2fveuj
LIKE ME ON
FACEBOOK http://tinyurl.com/nqx9osq
CIRCLE ME ON
GOOGLE PLUS http://tinyurl.com/odkmbqk
FOLLOW ME ON
TWITTER https://twitter.com/Californiatips
FOLLOW ME ON
INSTAGRAM http://instagram.com/californiatraveltips
BUY MY
APPS!
California
Essential Guide App:
ITUNES: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id428163062?mt=8
GOOGLE
PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sutromedia.android.guide.ca.essential.guide568&hl;=en
Yosemite Travel
Essentials App:
ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=606694986&mt;=8
DISNEYLAND INSIDER'S TRAVEL
GUIDE
ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/ua/app/disneyland-insiders-travel/id528739310?mt=8
GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sutromedia.android.guide.disney.guide&hl;=en