A slow day in Santa Monica
Build a relaxed Santa Monica day around the pier, ocean air and time away from the car.
Make the pier your anchor
Santa Monica Pier gives your coastal day an easy meeting point. Start with a walk on the pier, then leave room in the plan for a beachside stroll. Treat this as one neighborhood to explore, rather than a stop between several distant sights.
Plan parking before you leave
Use the pier’s official directions and parking guide to choose an arrival route. Check its current bridge access updates before setting out; navigation instructions and vehicle access may change during construction. Leave extra time to walk from your parking space.
Keep the return relaxed
Choose your rental return time with space for traffic and the final handoff. A coastal afternoon is more enjoyable when the last stop is optional. Keep belongings out of sight and follow posted parking signs.