Destination Guides: Santa Monica, United States - Family Fun

The Beach

The world famous 3.5-mile Santa Monica Beach has appeared in countless movies and TV shows epitomizing the beach life of Southern California. Here visitors can ride a wave or wade in one. Work on the perfect tan. Build a sandcastle or build up their body. Pedal or skate along the sand. Play games that are good for the body and the brain. Or just watch the waves kiss the shore. On Santa Monica Beach visitors can be as active or laid back as they want to be because in Santa Monica being who you want to be is the way of life.

Pacific Park

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
380 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-260-8744

Hours: Call for days and hours of operation

Admission Charged

What visitors do on the Pier today isn’t very different from what they did more than 100 years ago. They fish day or night, watch the waves, view the wonders of the undersea world, dance under the stars, ride a carousel horse or a roller coaster, dine at an ocean view restaurant, and entertain themselves at an arcade and shop for souvenirs. The Pier is a place for families and fun, for amusement and amazement.

The Carousel on the Pier

Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-260-8744

Hours: Call for days and hours of operation

Admission Charged

The highlight of the original Pier, which was built in 1912 and restored lovingly in 1990, is the famed Santa Monica Carousel which is housed in its own Victorian style hippodrome building at the inland side of the Pier. This merry-go-round carved by Charles Looff in 1922 was featured in the Paul Newman/Robert Redford film The Sting. The Carousel, which harks back to a more innocent time, is still extremely popular with today’s visitors.

Palisades Park

1400 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401

310-393-7593

Hours: Open daily, summer hours 10am - 5pm, winter hours 10am - 4pm

Admission Free

Palisades Park is a neighborhood focal point for readers and runners, sunbathers and sketchers, art lovers and animated conversationalists. At any time of the day it’s breathtaking, but don’t miss seeing the sunset from this Ocean Avenue landmark.

Muscle Beach

Located along Ocean Front Walk

As visitors stroll along Ocean Front Walk they’ll come upon California’s original Muscle Beach, the famous outdoor workout venue. Newly restored in 2000, this bit of beach has attracted suntanned fitness buffs since 1930. The combination of gorgeous location and wide array of gymnastic and balance apparatus draw fitness experts and novices alike. There’s even an exhibition area where the fittest are likely to do some flexing for those watching.

Nearby Attractions:

Disneyland

1313 S Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92802

714-781-4000

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Disneyland, America’s original theme park and its companion, The California Adventure are about an hour's drive from Santa Monica.

Knott’s Berry Farm

8039 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90620
714-220-5200

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Knott’s Berry Farm, slightly north of Disneyland, offers thrill rides as well as play areas designed for younger children, along with its famed restaurant known for its chicken dinners and signature jams and jellies.

Universal Studios, Hollywood

70 Universal City Plaza

Universal City, CA 91608

818-777-6727

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Universal Studios, Hollywood, approximately one-half hour from Santa Monica, offers a tour of the studio back-lots, participatory demonstrations and rides based on the studio’s most popular releases, and City Walk, a shopping street filled with shops and restaurants.

Magic Mountain

26101 Magic Mountain Parkway

Valencia, CA 93155

661-255-4100

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Magic Mountain, a park alive with roller coasters and thrill rides is located in Valencia, just north of the San Fernando Valley.