Category: Attractions

After a morning with the girls exploring Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, I suggest doing lunch at the Rose Garden Tea Room. With views of three acres of roses, it’s a great place for you and the clutch to get your girl on.

You’ll have tea in high style, but without the worry of snobby dress codes (though people do like to dress for the occasion, casual attire is accepted). Children are also welcome. The cost is $19.95 per person, and while that may sound steep, it includes a limitless pot of English tea and delicious scones. After that it’s a help-yourself buffet with finger sandwiches (cucumber mint, Atlantic salmon with caviar, ham and asparagus and more), domestic and imported cheeses, fresh fruits, seasonal salads, and a variety of tarts, cakes and petite desserts. And being a buffet, it is perfectly acceptable to go back again and again (dieters beware)!

While they aren’t snobby about dress codes, don’t expect to just waltz in and get a table. This place is classy and popular, and reservations are required, especially for groups of 6 or more. And keep in mind that if you just want a place to do tea with the girls, at the Huntington you will have to pay the entry fee to the gardens in addition to the cost of the tea. If you don’t have time to enjoy the Gardens, I suggest getting a tea reservation for the first Thursday of the month, when you can get into the Gardens for free (call 800-838-3006 to reserve your free day tickets). Also, if you are going to the Tea Room with 8 people or more, the cost goes up to $25.49 per person, but that includes the tax and gratuity.

You might want to make your reservations at least two weeks ahead, because they book up quickly, especially for Mother’s Day. No email reservations here, just the good old fashion phone-in kind. For more information and a list of menu items go to:

If you don’t mind doing some advanced planning, lunch with the girls at the Huntington Tea Room is real treat. And don’t worry - you can walk off all those pound packing pastries in the Garden!

If you want to get out of the city, love flowers, gardening, art, or just need a change from the usual girls night out routine, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is a refreshing daytime excursion. Wear comfortable shoes, because there is plenty to see and do here, and about 120 acres of it!

Started by Henry Huntington over 100 years ago, Huntington Botanical Gardens now offers some 15,000 kinds of plants from all over the world. The estate is beautifully landscaped with over a dozen themed gardens, and features a Cafe, Tea Room, and Gift Shop.

In the Japanese Garden you’ll find an upper middle class home from the 1800’s built in the Shoin style, a brook of koi fish, and an elegant high arching bridge. Flowering plum, bamboo, and Japanese Black Pine are planted throughout, with a special pavilion dedicated to Bonsai trees.
This year (2008) the Rose Garden celebrates its Centennial at the Huntington, and the official flower of the Centennial is the Huntington Rose, a many-petaled English rose created by David Austin Nurseries and named specially for the Huntington. The best months to visit the Rose Garden are from May to July, and October to November when the roses are in full bloom.

Starting February 23rd, 2008, the Chinese Garden will be open for the first time to the public. Plants like camellias, pine and lotus are classically landscaped around a 1.5 acre lake, along with hand sculpted stone bridges, and a canyon waterfall against a backdrop of tall California oaks.

There are many other gardens to explore including the Camellia Garden, the Herb Garden, the Australia Garden, or the Jungle Garden, which sits beside a lush Lily Pond. Neo-classical statues, ornate fountains, and benches with fanciful faces grace the well-groomed lawns, or serve as shady spots throughout the Gardens to take a break and decide what to see next.

For after the gardens, there is still more to see. The Huntington Art Gallery remains closed for renovation until May 28th, 2008, but you can still view Gainsborough’s famous “Blue Boy,” and Lawrence’s “Pinky” among other distinguished works of British and French art from the late 16th through the 18th centuries at the Erburu Gallery.

If that’s not enough, the Huntington Library Exhibition Halls display some of the most treasured rare books and manuscripts of Anglo-American civilization, including the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and early editions of Shakespeare's works. Many of these volumes are “illuminated” or feature colorful pages of hand painted illustrations and intricate works of calligraphy.

By now you’ll be pretty tired, but don’t forget to stop by the Huntington Gardens Gift Shop on your way out. Cards with exhibit images, gardening books, hats, shirts, pins, scarves and even parasols are among the novelty items available for purchase.

Adult admission to the Huntington is $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and Monday holidays. Seniors, students, children and large groups receive discounts. The first Thursday of every month is free but you need to make reservations in advance. For gardeners, on the second Thursday of every month, free lectures are given in the Friend’s Hall by authors and gardening experts from all over the world, culminating in plant sales in the Plant Sale Nursery.

The Huntington is located near Pasadena, about twelve miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Photos courtesy of Randolph Scott

Spending an afternoon and evening in Chinatown is one of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends. Chinatown is a colorful, cultural, architectural, dining and shopping experience. I just love to be so close to home but yet feel that I'm in another world.

I usually start my day in the original Chinatown area called Central Plaza on Gingling Way. Central Plaza has a fantastic variety of stores, buildings and an elaborate rock garden – inspired wishing well. The plaza is a great place to take a break on a bench and for people watching.

My favorite Restaurant for lunch is "Hop Louie". The Hop Louie Restaurant Pagoda is the focal point of Central Plaza. Formerly the Golden Pagoda Restaurant, it was originally constructed in 1941. The five tier pagoda is gorgeous and it's the last major built in today's New Chinatown Central Plaza. The food is descent and inexpensive.

Another fun and popular Restaurant for lunch is the Empress Pavilion. You have to try the Dim Sum Lunch on which you can feast on everything from pork dumplings to sesame sponge cake. The Chinese call the little delicacies "dim sum", which translates into "touching your heart".

After lunch explore the Art galleries and Antique stores on Chungking road in the west plaza.

Outside central plaza on north Broadway is Chinatown's largest store, Wing Hop Fung, where the medicinal aroma of ginseng and other Chinese herbs wafts through the lower floor. Upstairs is a colorful bazaar of paper dragons, lanterns and all types of bargains.

Bargains – that's part of the fun, finding a treasure you like and chasing down the best price – or staying to bargain with the shopkeeper.

Down the street at the corner of Ord Street and North Broadway is a group of colorful stalls offering everything from peacock feathers to those nifty ‘70s beaded curtains, tiny faux jade Buddhas {one each for health, wealth, fertility and other good fortunes}, and giant vases with chinese floral designs to create an eastern ambience on your patio.

A great place to find gifts for all occasions, and the perfect Chinese outfit for your next Asian theme party.

Chinatown has several Bars to explore in the evening. Enjoy a well deserved cocktail after a long hard day of shopping

Located in the heart of Los Angeles is a wonderful resource that helps foster an appreciation and deeper understanding of art, Barnsdall Art Park. The Barnsdall Art Park features international art displays and exhibits, as well as resources to strengthen the community's knowledge of art, and also houses the famous Hollyhock House, which was designed for Aline Barnsdall by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Things To See

When visiting Barnsdall Art Park there are four major features that you will want to enjoy. First, is the unique view of Hollywood, including a fantastic view of the landmark Hollywood sign. The Park is located on Olive Hill and is situated at the intersection of Hollywood and Vermont.

The second site is the Hollyhock House that was built between 1919 and 1923 by Frank Lloyd Wright for Aline Barnsdall. There are scheduled times that you may take guided tours of the home. For parties larger than ten people, reservations are recommended. Tours are available from Wednesday through Sunday at 12:30, 1:30, and 3:30 Pacific Times. Tickets for students and seniors cost $3.00 and adults cost $7.00. Children twelve years and under are free. It should also be mentioned that there is no photography allowed throughout the tours.

During your visit, you'll also want to see the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and the Barnsdall Gallery Theater. The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery features many works of art by both local and international artists. The Barnsdall Gallery Theater features a number of theater groups and showcases live performances.

Classes & Art Workshops

The Barnsdall Art Pak is operated by the Community Arts Division of the Cultural Affairs Department. They also offer many art programs as well as workshops. In addition to these regular classes, the Junior Arts Center provides community art resources for children and youth. For more information or to find out the current list of workshops, visit: http://www.barnsdallart.com

When you think of Chinatown you may just think of one particular place. What you’ll find though is both Old Chinatown and New Chinatown, both with their different exotic sights, incredible smells of authentic Chinese food, and the many different shops and stores that hold treasures for everyone.

Walking the streets of Chinatown is by far the best way to get around. It is a simple trolley ride on the Gold line or you could take the Dash Minibus B from downtown Los Angeles. You can jump off right as you get to the base of Chinatown and you’re on your way.

With the many shops, restaurants, and décor of the architecture, the color and appearance makes it a popular tourist spot, as well as a place locals like to go to experience a culture that may be far from the norm in Los Angeles. You’ll know when you reach Chinatown by the landmark East Gate on N. Broadway. From there you can start your own self guided tour of Chinatown or you can take one of the many guided tours that lead you in to the most well sought after parts of Chinatown that few people know about.

You’ll most likely start with the Golden Pagoda which is about 50 feet high and one of the last newer buildings that was built in Chinatown. Although typically a tourist spot, it is a sight to behold. You can then make your way over to The Seven Star Cavern Wishing Well. With the magnificent architecture around this wishing well, it’ll be hard not to see the splendor of Chinatown in all of the old and new glory.

Meander your way through the alleys and you’ll find some of the most sought after Chinese herbs that have been used traditional Chinese medicine and teas for thousands of years. Fresh and ready to be bought, you’ll learn quite a bit about prolonging your life with the likes of ginseng root, pearl pills, and even gecko lizards.

For a little fun you should stop by the fortune cookie factory and see how they are really made. Sure, it’s a little self indulgent, but who doesn’t want to know how those tiny papers really get in those cookies? While you are being self indulgent, it may be time to eat by now. The Stockton Street food market is just the place to stop. Whether it’s Dim Sum you’re craving or a more exotic cuisine that you have yet to try, you’ll find it here. You may even pick up a few authentic foods to take home and try to make yourself.

For the art and history lover, Chung King Road is a must. They will do art openings in the evening that give you a chance to enjoy the beautiful and moving pieces of art. After you take in your fair share of culture you can hit the bars or more restaurants to talk late into the night with your friends. Chinatown is more than just a place to buy silk; it is a cornucopia of knowledge, food, culture, and fun.

When the Queen Mary first launched on September 26, 1934 it was considered to be the ship of the future. Weighing in at an impressive 81,237 tons it was larger than the Titanic and faster than any ship made previously. The maiden voyage set sail on May 27, 1936 and to all accounts was a major event.

John Brown and Company out of Scotland built the Queen Mary to be a weekly express from Southampton England to New York to be one of the fastest ships on the ocean at that time. It certainly held up to that name as it did indeed garner the record for the fastest North Atlantic crossing in 1937. For 3 years she traveled back and forth bringing the rich and elite across the Atlantic in luxury and style. In 1939 she was on a trip when World War II started and was ordered to become a troopship to carry soldiers from Australia and New Zealand to the United Kingdom.

After the war had completed, and Queen Mary narrowly escaped being sunk by the orders of Adolf Hitler and his U boats, the Queen Mary was used as a transatlantic passenger trade until 1958. Then the jets were starting to fly and it seemed that people wanted quicker ways to get across the Atlantic Ocean. Finally in 1966 it was put up for sale and bought by H.E. Ridings of Long Beach California where it still resides today.

Today, Queen Mary is on the National Register of Historic places and serves as a hotel, entertainment venue, and a museum. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction that brings people in from all over the world. You can choose a self guided ship walk tour that takes you from the engine to the wheelhouse, or you can have a daily guided tour that explores the elegant bygone era. You can even go on the special tour called The Ghost and Legends tour that talks about the paranormal experiences of the Queen Mary which people swear have taken over the ships at certain times.

Many people come to the Queen Mary to stay in one of the 365 original staterooms, 8 of which are luxurious suites of their time. Each room is artfully appointed in the style of the 1930’s and 1940’s with original artwork and much of the art deco feel that it had in the past. The room rates are very reasonable depending on the season and you can buy packages that include dinner or show tickets. After checking in you can experience award winning dining in many of the waterfront restaurants such as the Sir Winston restaurant or you can just grab a quick bite to eat at The Promenade Café if you are in a rush to get back to your self guided tour of the Queen Mary.

Visiting and staying on the Queen Mary is like taking a step back in time to the more elegant and fascinating bygone years. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.

If you’re a fan of animals and are looking to spend some time outdoors, head on over to the Los Angeles Zoo for a fun filled day. Bordering Griffith Park and hosting over 1.4 million visitors each year, the Los Angeles Zoo is home to more than 1,200 species of animals from around the globe. You can never be too old to have a great time at the Zoo; it’s a perfect activity for the entire family, a group of friends, or on a date.

Parking & Tickets

There is plenty of parking at the Los Angeles Zoo and it is free. As you walk from your car to the ticket booth, you may be a little intimidated by the line…but don’t panic, it moves fairly quickly (expect to wait about 20-30 minutes). Unfortunately, there is no way around the wait since the Zoo doesn’t offer advance online ticket sales. If it’s warm outside, and it usually is in that part of the city, I suggest you wear light colored clothing; only a small portion of the line is covered and you’ll be standing under sun most of the time.

The price of admission at the Los Angeles Zoo is a reasonable $10 per adult, while children are admitted for $5. There are about a half dozen shows held throughout the day and the cost is included in your ticket price.

The Food

I can’t comment on the food since I didn’t have any…but you should expect to pay around $7-$10 for a meal. It’s probably just me, but I always felt a little uncomfortable eating a hamburger with a family of Zebra’s frolicking only a few yards away. They have plenty of stands around the zoo serving the usual over-priced goodies: Churros, Shaved Italian Ice, Frozen Lemonade, and Dipping Dots.

The Animals

If you’ve ever been to the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, or any other major Zoo around the Country, you probably won’t be that impressed with the Los Angeles Zoo. But since it’s the only Zoo in Los Angeles, we can't really complain.

If you arrive around Noon and the animals haven’t been fed yet, be prepared to play “Where’s Waldo” at the exhibits. During my visit to the Los Angeles Zoo, some of the more interesting animals like the Snow Leopard, Tigers, Bears, and Wolves were nowhere to be found. I did get a spectacular close-up of the Tortoise…but the experience wasn’t that exhilarating.

If you decide to visit the Los Angeles Zoo, I would suggest that you arrive in the morning when the Zoo opens (at 10am). Alternatively, if you decide visit during the afternoon, swing by after 2pm. If you’re just casually strolling through and taking pictures, you should plan to spend anywhere from 2-3 hours at the Zoo; plan a little more time if you decide to take in a show.

Shopping at a Farmers’ Market allows you to purchase the freshest produce directly from the farmer. And since you’re dealing directly with the farmer, the produce is actually cheaper because the farmer is able to pass on the savings to you (as opposed to dealing with a distributor and/or store which cuts into their profits).

Here is a schedule of Farmers’ Market locations around Los Angeles County on any given day of the week:

MONDAY

Bellflower
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Oak St and Clark Ave

South Gate
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Tweedy Blvd & Pinehurst Ave

West Hollywood
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: Plummer Park

 

TUESDAY

Baldwin Park
When: 4pm to 9pm
Where: Ramona Blvd & Cesar E Chavez Dr

Culver City
When: 2pm to 7pm
Where: Culver Blvd & Main St

Highland Park
When: 3pm to 7pm
Where: Marmion Way & N Avenue 58

La Verne - University of La Verne
When: 5:30pm to 9pm (May through August)
Where: Bonita Avenue & D Street

Lynwood
When: 12pm to 5pm
Where: Martin Luther King Jr Blvd & Cesar E Chavez Ln

Manhattan Beach
When: 12pm to 4pm
Where: Morningside Dr & 13th St

Norwalk
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Pioneer Blvd & Alondra Blvd

Pasadena - Villa Park
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: E Villa St & N Garfield Ave

Torrance
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Charles Wilson Park

 

WEDNESDAY

Gardena
When: 7:30am to 12pm
Where: W 162nd St & La Salle Ave

Huntington Park
When: 9:30am to 1pm
Where: Florence Ave & Bissell St (At Salt Lake Park)

San Dimas
When: 4:30pm to 8:30pm (April through September)
Where: 245 E. Bonita Ave

Santa Monica - 3rd St Promenade
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: Arizona Ave & 3rd St Prom

Westchester
When: 8:30am to 1pm
Where: Truxton Ave & W 87th St

 

THURSDAY

Carson
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: E Carson St & Bonita St

Century City
When: 11:30am to 3pm
Where: Constellation Blvd & Ave of the Stars

El Segundo
When: 3pm to 7pm
Where: Pine Ave & Main St

Glendale
When: 9:30am to 1pm
Where: N Brand Blvd & E Wilson Ave

Los Angeles - Chinatown
When: 4pm to 8pm
Where: N Hill St & Alpine St

Los Angeles - Figueroa & 7th
When: 10am to 4pm
Where: S Figueroa St & W 7th St

Redondo Beach
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Harbor Dr - W Veterans Park

Signal Hill
When: 2pm to 7pm
Where: Walnut Ave & E 27th St

South Pasadena
When: 4pm to 8pm
Where: Mission St & Meridian Ave

Westwood
When: 1pm to 7pm
Where: Constitution Ave & Davis Ave

 

FRIDAY

Covina
When: 5pm to 9pm (April through December)
Where: N Citrus Ave & E San Bernardino Rd

Echo Park
When: 3pm to 7pm
Where: Logan St Parking Lot (South of Sunset Blvd)

Hermosa Beach
When: 12pm to 4pm
Where: N Valley Dr & 10th St

Los Angeles - Eagle Rock
When: 5pm to 8:30pm
Where: 2100 Merton Ave

Los Angeles - Figueroa & 7th
When: 10am to 4pm
Where: S Figueroa St & W 7th St

Los Angeles - Wilshire Center
When: 11:30am to 3pm
Where: Wilshire Blvd & S Mariposa Ave

Lawndale
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Hawthorne Blvd & W 147th St

Long Beach - Downtown
When: 10am to 4pm
Where: E Broadway & The Promenade N

Monrovia
When: 5pm to 9pm (March through December); 4pm to 8pm (September through May)
Where: E Olive Ave & S Myrtle Ave

San Pedro - Old Town
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: W 7th St & S Mesa St

Venice
When: 7am to 11am
Where: N Venice Blvd & Venice Way

Whittier
When: 8:30am to 1pm
Where: Greenleaf Ave & Bailey St

 

SATURDAY

Burbank
When: 8am to 12:30pm
Where: E Olive Ave & N Glenoaks Blvd

Calabasas Old Town
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Calabasas Rd & Mulholland Dr

Central Avenue
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: 43rd St & Central Ave

Cerritos
When: 8am to 12pm
Where: Park Plaza Drive & Towne Center Drive

Chatsworth
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Canoga Ave & Devonshire St

Diamond Bar
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: 1920 S. Brea Canyon Cutoff Rd

Gardena
When: 6:30am to 12pm
Where: Van Ness Ave & West El Segundo Blvd

Los Angeles - Harambee
When: 10am to 4pm
Where: Crenshaw Blvd & W Slauson Ave

Los Angeles - Figueroa & 7th
When: 10am to 4pm
Where: S Figueroa St & W 7th St

Los Angeles - Silverlake
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: W Sunset Blvd & Edgecliffe Dr

La Canada Flintridge
When: 8am to 12pm
Where: Foothill Blvd & Beulah Dr

La Verne - University of La Verne
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Bonita Avenue & D Street

Leimert Park Village
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: W 43rd St & Degnan Blvd

Little Tokyo
When: 10am to 3pm
Where: S San Pedro St & E 2nd St (Weller Court)

Pasadena - Victory Park
When: 8:30am to 1pm
Where: N Sierra Madre Blvd & Paloma St

Pamona
When: 7:30am to 11:30am
Where: N Garey Ave & E Pearl St

Santa Monica - Pico
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Pico Blvd & Cloverfield Blvd

Santa Monica - 3rd St Promenade
When: 8:30am to 1pm
Where: Arizona Ave & 3rd St Prom

Torrance
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Charles Wilson Park

 

SUNDAY

Alhambra
When: 8:30am to 1pm
Where: S Monterey St & E Bay State St

Atwater Village
When: 10am to 2pm
Where: 3250 Glendale Blvd

Beverly Hills
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Civic Center Dr

Brentwood
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Gretna Green Way & San Vicente Blvd

Encino
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Victory Blvd & White Oak Ave

Hollywood
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Ivar Ave & Selma Ave

Larchmont Village
When: 10am to 2pm
Where: Larchmont Blvd

Long Beach - Marina
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: E 2nd St & E Pacific Coast Hwy

Mar Vista
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: Venice Blvd & Grandview Ave

Melrose Place
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: N Croft Ave & Melrose Pl

Pacific Palisades
When: 8am to 1:30pm
Where: W Sunset Blvd & Swarthmore Ave

Palos Verdes
When: 9am to 1pm
Where: Peninsula Shopping Center

Santa Monica - Ocean Park
When: 9:30am to 1pm
Where: Ocean Park Blvd & Main St

Studio City
When: 8am to 1pm
Where: Ventura Blvd & Ventura Pl

West Los Angeles
When: 9am to 2pm
Where: 1645 Corinth Ave

With summer right around the corner, nothing beats spending a day at the beach. Although Los Angeles is home to a plethora of wonderful beaches, I have always been particularly fond of Venice.

This strip of beach is about 1.5 miles in length (north to south) and it’s bordered by Navy St and Washington Blvd. Besides the typical beach activities like playing frisbee, flying kites, swimming, and laying out on the sand...there are plenty of other things to see and do at Venice Beach.

The Boardwalk

Lined with souvenir shops, artists, musicians, and street performers – the Boardwalk at Venice Beach is a great spot for an afternoon stroll. If you’re looking for a little more activity, rent a pair of rollerblades or a bike for about $20 and then head off in any direction. The Boardwalk is part of the South Bay Bicycle Trail which spans 22 miles from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance County...so make sure you have enough energy for the trip back

Bars & Cafes

There are plenty of cafes along the boardwalk where you can sit down and enjoy the view; it’s also great for people watching. For something quick and affordable, grab a slice of pizza and then find a bench facing the ocean. On a hot day, why not grab a cold beer (or cola) at a neighborhood bar to cool down.

Souvenirs & Art

If you’re looking for some cheap souvenirs or pieces of art for the house, you’ve come to the right place. Venice Beach is home to tons of vendors who will sell you everything from fake designer sunglasses to hand carved trinkets.

Tarot Card Readings

Another thing you’ll find abundant at Venice Beach are the Palm and Tarot Card Readers…about 2-3 per block. Some have their own shops while others are nestled along the boardwalk between the street performers and the animal rights activists.

Parking

Parking in Venice is no picnic and you’ll be really lucky to find an available space along the street. Make sure you read the signs carefully because you don’t want to get a ticket, or worse, have your car towed away. If you don’t find parking along the street, there’s a lot on Rose Ave and Speedway that charges $4. Interestingly enough, there is another parking lot a few blocks south that charges $14.

Located in Santa Monica, the Pier offers a plethora of activities that will keep you busy for hours.

Aquarium

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is located right below the Carousel. There are a total of 8 different exhibits to enjoy, including 3 touch tanks that will allow you to get up close and personal with over 30 different species of marine life.

Arcade

The Playland Arcade features over 200 different arcade games, from the newer titles to traditional favorites, such as Pac Man, Air Hockey and Pinball.

Fishing

If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, grab your fishing supplies and head out to the Pier. It’s also a great activity to enjoy on a date, especially the first. While you probably won’t catch anything, you’ll have plenty of time to talk and get to know each other better. The best spots for fishing can be found towards the end of the Pier.

Theme Park

Located on the Pier, Pacific Park is a small amusement park with something for everyone. There are about a dozen rides in total, including a steel rollercoaster and the iconic ferris wheel – both providing a spectacular view of the Pacific Coast.

Getting There

The main entrance to the Santa Monica Pier is on Colorado Ave and Ocean Ave. You can park your car at the Pier lot, but if you want to save a little money and don’t mind the walk, park your car at the Santa Monica Mall structure (located 2 blocks away on Colorado & 2nd). If you arrive in the day (8am to 5pm), you can park for 3 hours at no cost; in the evening (5pm to 2am), there’s a $3 flat rate.