Not for Tourists Guide to Los Angeles 2014 by Not for Tourists

Author:Not for Tourists [Not for Tourists]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781628735833
Publisher: Not For Tourists
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Beaches & Marinas • Santa Monica Beach & Pier

Overview

Santa Monica Beach is the jewel in the crown of Los Angeles beaches. An offshore breakwater assures a gentle surf—good enough for neighborhood boogie boarders, novice surfers, and even the occasional pro in the everlasting search for that perfect wave. (For even better beginner waves, go to Manhattan Beach.) Aside from die-hard beach bums, Santa Monicans tend to stay away from the pier unless they’re entertaining visitors. In 1909, the pier opened to an excited public and was a boom town of entertainment until the 1940s, when it experienced a bit of a mid-life crisis. The beloved structure was slated to be torn down after years of deterioration, but local residents rallied, and it was rebuilt in 1988. Film crews, photographers, and sun bunnies came flooding back, and today the place is buzzing with activity once again. Check out the Twilight Dance Series concerts on Thursday nights during the summer, featuring popular performers from a wide variety of musical genres. For more information, visit www.santamonicapier.org, www.santamonica.com, or call 310-319-6263.

Amusement Park

Located right on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park Amusement Center is home to the nine-story Ferris Wheel, with a terrific view of the coastline and the city. Take a moonlit ride over the ocean on a summer night. The famous 1920s vintage carousel was featured in the Paul Newman/ Robert Redford movie The Sting and still costs just 25 cents for kids and 50 cents for adults. Other amusements include a fairly slow and uneventful rollercoaster, skeeball, air hockey, pinball, and video games. 310-260-8744; www.pacpark.com.

Camera Obscura

1450 Ocean Ave, 310-458-8644. Hours: Mon–Fri: 9 am–3 pm; Sat-Sun: 11am–3 pm;

Camera Obscura is another popular attraction. Entering the dark room on a sunny day, you can see images from the outside cast onto a table by a long-focus camera lens. The Camera Obscura—essentially a camera the size of a building—is in the Santa Monica Senior Recreation Center. Admission is free, just leave your driver’s license at the Rec Center’s office in exchange for the key. It may not be as exciting as the nearby ferris wheel, or as portable as your sleek, little digital camera, but it’s definitely worth popping in.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

1600 Ocean Front Walk; 310-393-6149; www.healthebay.org/smpa.

Hours: Sat–Sun: 12:30pm–5 pm; Tues–Fri: 2 pm–5 pm

At the hands-on marine science aquarium, located underneath the carousel, exhibits focus on local sealife. Sea stars, crabs, snails, and sea urchins populate the touch tanks, but the shark tanks are strictly for eyes only. Suggested donation for admission is $5, but if you have no shame, you can pay as little as $2. Children under 12 enter free with an adult.

Practicalities

The parking lot on the north of the pier at 1550 PCH costs $5 weekdays and $7 weekends during the off-season, and $7 weekdays and $8 weekends during the summer months. There is metered parking along Ocean Avenue north and south of the pier. The visitor information stand is located on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. You’ll also find some rather grungy restrooms underneath and near the end of the pier.

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