Beautiful Santa Monica Pier celebrated its centennial in September 2009. For more than 100 years, the 1,600-foot-long concrete structure has been the hub of local entertainment, dining and shopping, hosting band concerts and swimming races, anglers and local entrepreneurs, while fulfilling its original purpose: to provide a breakwater for a yacht harbor and satisfy the city's sanitation needs.
Today, the upkeep of the pier is seen to by a non-profit, public benefit corporation made up of business and community leaders called the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation (SMPRC). The group was established in 1983 with a mission "to preserve and enhance the pleasure pier experience for people of all ages and for future generations.''
In 1996, Pacific Park opened, the first full-scale amusement park on the Pier since the 1930s. Families soon began flocking to the area, which in turn stimulated the retail environment. The amusement park's thrill rides include a historic 1922 Carousel and the West Coaster roller coaster. There are lively street performers on hand to amuse the crowds, too.
Below the Pier's eastern deck is the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. This is where visitors can observe some of the creatures of the Santa Monica Bay up close. The aquarium features interactive displays in addition to tanks full of sea life. Operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 2pm till 5pm and weekends from 12:30pm until 5pm. The facility is closed to the public on Mondays, when school programs are conducted.
Among full-service restaurants that can be found on the Pier are Mariasol Cocina Mexicana, the Surf View Cafy, and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Joining them is Rusty's Surf Ranch, which also provides live music and dancing nightly. The Pacific Park Shops have a food court and sell souvenir items, while Santa Monica Pier Seafood offers self-service dining.
Marlene's Beachcomber sells postcards, beach towels, and toys; Oatman Rock Shop has crystals, shells, beads, and novelties; and Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle Co. provides all the equipment anglers might need. For gift items, retailers include the Carousel Gift Shop, and Gifts at the Pier. Meanwhile, Blazing Saddles provides bicycle rentals and the Trapeze School New York teaches the skills of swinging from a trapeze.
There are vendors here, selling everything from sunglasses to churros and kettle corn from carts. The Playland Arcade has challenging games open from 10:30am to 2am. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and fishing licenses are not necessary to fish from the Pier. Open fires, however, including barbecues, are not permitted.
Most recently, the SMPRC succeeded in having Santa Monica Pier officially recognized as the western terminus of historic Route 66 by the Route 66 Alliance. A newly unveiled "End of the Trail'' sign has been added here to mark the occasion, and a number of local retailers now offer Route 66 merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, books, and more.
The Santa Monica Pier is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Admission is free. Its mailing address is 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401. To get there from Los Angeles International Airport, take the I-405 Freeway to I-10 West, exit at Fourth Street and continue to Colorado Avenue. Turn left on Colorado and continue straight to the Pier. Public parking is available here and along Seaside Terrace.
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