Five Must-Sees!

No two trips to the LA area are ever the same for me. Different celebrity sightings, a variety of food choices, and the vast neighborhoods and activities keep it a fresh and ever changing destination. However, one place on every LA itinerary (or at least it should be) that is always refreshingly familiar and offers a great sense of nostalgia is the Santa Monica Pier!

Whether it’s fishing, the beach, good food, fun, or people watching you are looking for, you can surely find it here! Here are my favorite “Must-Sees” on the Santa Monica Pier:

1) Pacific Park – This place has everything you need to feel 10 years old again. Challenge your friends or family to a game of “Whack-a Mole” or the Bottle Ring Toss. After you’ve won, or have attempted to win a giant stuffed animal, head over to the Ferris Wheel for a beautiful panoramic view! You can see the Santa Monica area and the Malibu Hills in the distance if the smog and sea mist has cleared. Grab your photo in one of the throwback photo booths for a lasting memory of your fun-filled day!

2) Soda Jerks – Located inside the historic carousel building toward the front of the pier, this place takes you back to the early 50’s and 60’s when soda fountains were in their prime! From the staff uniforms to the handmade treats, this place is authentic through and through and great for a visit with young kids. Enjoy your root beer float while the kids ride the beautifully detailed carousel. Don’t forget to grab some candy from their 50-bin candy case before you leave!

3) Route 66 end of the road – Growing up in an old Route 66 town, I realize I am a bit biased here as to how neat I believe this is. The Santa Monica pier is the end of the historic highway. Take your photo next to the sign and grab a bumper sticker or coffee mug for the memory and check it off the bucket list (or at least your mental “that was neat to see” list).

4) Fruit carts – The pier offers a lot of great eats – Rusty’s Surf Ranch, Bubba Gump’s, and some great burger joints. Since I tend to be more of a “grazer” who fills up on chocolate sundaes and candy, I opt for the smaller vendor style fruit carts when I’m on the pier. A wide selection of fresh fruit cut to order and dressed however you’d like. I go for the lime juice and chili powder on my jicama. Yummy!

5) People watching – You will see it all here, and it’s a great reminder to me every time why I travel. All these different kinds of people all gravitated towards the same place at the same time and it always blows me away. From the fisherman catching sharks off the pier, to the love birds taking a selfie, and the kids who made themselves way too dizzy on the scrambler. Grab your fruit cup, an open bench and enjoy the cool sea breeze and the everyday happenings going on around you.

The Santa Monica Pier is classic All-American fun. Whether you have a few hours or a whole day, this place is a must!