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.

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

Important to know

Know in advance:

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The Action Tour Guide 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 visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
This tour is valid for one year - from the moment of booking. You can use it multiple times over multiple trips
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Audio guide
Downloadable APP
Digital guidebook

Food and drinks
Entrance fees
Transportation

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

Santa Monica Pier Arch, 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Meeting point:

This is a self-guided experience and not an entrance ticket. It begins at the Santa Monica Pier Arch, 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Before you start your tour, make sure you download the Action Tour Guide app, enter your unique password, and download your tour. These steps require a good data/wifi connection. Instructions will be sent to your email. From there, simply follow the audio instructions and the route.