1 / 2Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
📍 Santa Monica, CA
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier offers 12 rides including the West Coaster and solar-powered Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel, midway games, beachside food vendors, and direct beach access — all with free pier entry.
Super surreal experience. It looks just like GTA 5. The rides are fun and the views are great. Nearby beaches are nice with gyms and e bikes.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids aged 4 and up who want a classic California pier experience with rides and beach access in one spot. The West Coaster suits older kids; the Ferris wheel works for all ages. Visit at sunset for the best Pacific Wheel views.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →14,941 Google reviews
A S
a month ago
“Super surreal experience. It looks just like GTA 5. The rides are fun and the views are great. Nearby beaches are nice with gyms and e bikes.”
Antonio Neves
3 months ago
“The park is really fun (and busy). The lines to ride are long but they go fast, so that is not a problem. I recommend the wheel to get astonishing views from the top, I was afraid of the gondolas because they swing a little bit when they stop the wheel on top but that was nice actually! I think this is a must go!”
Maria Pena
3 months ago
“The Santa Monica Pier is a place I always forget about and when I visit I tell myself "why did you forget this place?" Being an Angelino I often forget about everything these neighboring cities have to offer but this time bringing my family to Pacific Park was the reminder that memories can be made in our own backyard. Pacific Park welcomes everyone with its variety of rides and attractions. It showcases the famous ferris wheel that I literally found out that day was fully solar powered. A win for the planet 🙌. It has a roller coaster with views to the ocean, bumper car rides called sig alert EV which had me laughing for it's literal name and the bumper to bumper traffic we face daily,my favorite the shark frenzy, my nieces favorite the sea dragon, an arcade and carnival games. Highly recommend to everyone that wants a day at a theme park that's priced reasonably and a trip to the beach to end that day.”
Diddy L
4 months ago
“The perfect California evening! We came here for a casual evening and ended up having the most iconic Santa Monica experience. The energy on the pier is just infectious, everyone is smiling, laughing, and just enjoying the moment. We rode the West Coaster as the sun was setting, and the views of the ocean and the coastline were absolutely breathtaking. It was the perfect mix of a fun ride and a stunning vista. We also picked up some cute souvenirs from the gift shop, great prices and a nice memento. But honestly, the best parts were free: feeling the ocean breeze, watching the incredible sunset paint the sky, walking on the sandy beach, and standing at the symbolic end of the historic Route 66. You can just feel the history and the joy here. It's a must-do for locals and tourists alike. A quintessential, feel-good spot that reminds you why we love California!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Pacific Park sits on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier with 12 rides ranging from the West Coaster roller coaster to the solar-powered Pacific Wheel. The Ferris wheel delivers panoramic views of the Pacific and LA coastline. Entry to the pier is free; rides use individual tickets. Beachfront food vendors, midway games, and direct sand access are all part of the experience. Sunset is the most-cited time to visit for views from the Wheel.



