Santa Monica Pier's Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

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You’ll begin your tour by stepping onto the vibrant Santa Monica Pier, a bustling hub that marks the end of the famous Route 66. Here, the mix of seaside entertainment and historical landmarks offers a unique glimpse into Southern California's coastal culture. Your first stop is the Santa Monica Pier Carousel within the Looff Hippodrome, a beautifully preserved piece of Americana that has delighted visitors since its debut in 1916. Listen to the enchanting stories of the carousel's creation and the evolution of the pier around it.A short walk away, you'll find the former site of La Monica Ballroom. Once the largest ballroom on the West Coast, it hosted thousands during the roaring ‘20s. Find out what happened to it as you continue along this historic wooden pier. Next, immerse yourself in the playful atmosphere of Pacific Park. This modern amusement park features a range of attractions, including the iconic solar-powered Ferris wheel which offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Then, uncover more of the pier’s history and keep walking until you reach the far end of the pier, boasting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and Santa Monica Beach on the other. Your tour concludes here.

Highlights

Explore the vibrant and historic Santa Monica Pier
See the enchanting Santa Monica Pier Carousel
Discover a history full of storms and survival
Take in unbeatable views of Santa Monica Beach
Tour entirely at your own pace

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Activity package

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Facilities

Free cancellation

mobile

an hour

Available in English

What's included

Audio guide
Map. Downloadable APP
Digital guidebook

Not included

Food and drinks
Entrance fees
Transportation

Where you'll meet

This self-guided experience begins at the Santa Monica Pier Arch, 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Operated by

ACTION TOUR GUIDE

Important information

Know in advance: * *Temporary update (January 2025): The wildfire situation remains dynamic. Due to ongoing wildfire activity in certain areas around Los Angeles, some routes may be affected. It's recommended to check local updates and road closures to ensure that your tour can proceed safely* * This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one * After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Please don't wait until you are on-site * Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps * The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere * Most stops along the tour have animated videos, allowing you to visualise what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms * This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket * You have lifetime access to this tour, with no expiration date. You can use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want * The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service