Attraction · Los Angeles
Santa Monica Pier: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Santa Monica Pier website. Official links are under Sources.
Santa Monica Pier is free to enter.
- Open today 06:00–22:00.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Walking the pier, watching the sunset and fishing from the deck cost nothing.
- Buy Pacific Park ride wristbands online in advance; they are cheaper than at the booth.
- The Pier Bridge is being replaced (until the end of 2027), so expect detours; take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica and walk about 10 minutes.
- The historic carousel runs Monday and Thursday-Sunday, 11am-7pm.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeFree to walk onto the pier, open to the public year round · 06:00–22:00 | everyone | Free access to the pier deck. Rides, games, the carousel and parking are paid. | No |
| Free areaPacific Park amusement park has no entry fee; you pay per ride | everyone | Rides are priced individually ($6-20) or via an unlimited-ride wristband. Park hours vary by season. | No |
Official prices
Santa Monica Pier ticket prices
| Pacific Park Unlimited Ride Wristband, ages 8 and over (online price) — $50 at the booth; ages 7 and under $20 online ($30 at the booth). Covers all 12 rides, not the Funhouse. | $40 |
| Single ride on the Pacific Wheel (online price) — The solar-powered Ferris wheel; higher price at the booth. | $14 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Santa Monica Pier
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 06:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 06:00–22:00 |
| Wed | 06:00–22:00 |
| Thu | 06:00–22:00 |
| Fri | 06:00–22:00 |
| Sat | 06:00–22:00 |
| Sun | 06:00–22:00 |
The pier is open daily 6am-10pm (may be restricted during special events). Rides, shops and restaurants keep their own hours.
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
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Sources
Where this comes from
- pacpark.com/visit/ · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.