PARKING ON THE SANTA MONICA PIER
Parking on the Santa Monica Pier is a relatively easy experience although it may cost you up to $10. There is an abundance of parking all around the Pier and throughout Santa Monica, however most of it is all paid.
Parking on the Pier
Those looking to get as close to the pier as possible will find that they will be able to drive directly on to the Santa Monica Pier. They will then be directed down a ramp off of the pier and into a parking lot that is along the beach and adjacent to the pier. Parking in this lot can be $7-$10 depending on the day. From here it is less than a few minute walk to the pier where stairs offer visitors the ability to climb right on to the pier near Bubba Gumps Shrimp. This parking lot is also very convenient to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and bike and roller blade rental shops that are at the base of the pier.
On the Beaches
There are several parking lots up and down the Santa Monica Pier that fan out from the pier in both the north and south directions for up to a mile. Two of these lots can be found when traveling northbound on the Pacific Coast Highway away from the pier on the left hand side. Don’t pass too many lots and head in this direction too far, once you hit Patrick’s Roadhouse on Channel Road and PCH you are a good 1.5 miles from the pier at this point. The beach south of the pier also offers convenient parking and can be assessed by taking Ocean Avenue south and just past Pico Blvd where Ocean Blvd splits, take the right fork and you will find both metered parking and a full lot that is $7-$10 a day.
Ocean Avenue
All along Ocean Avenues if $2.00 an hour metered parking. These lots can be found on either side of the street although are more abundant on the west side along Santa Monica Park over looking the ocean. In the early mornings and sometimes in the evenings these lots have some available spaces, but during the day, especially on the weekend they can be difficult to secure a spot. There are however, hundreds of them so with some patience and luck, one can be eventually found. Depending on where on Ocean Ave you find this spot, you maybe in for up to 15 minute walk to the pier, however it beats the up to $10 fee the lots charge that are found at the pier or immediately adjacent to it.
Santa Monica
Parking in Santa Monica maybe your best bet if you are looking to take in all the sights Santa Monica has to offer in addition to the pier, such as 3rd Street Promenade and the new Santa Monica Place Shopping Mall. Free, 3 hour parking during the day can be found in several parking garages at the following locations: 4th Street and Wilshire Blvd, 2nd Street and Wilshire, 4th, Street and Santa Monica Blvd, 4th Street at Arizona, and at the Santa Monica Place shopping Center on Arizona. The Santa Monica Pier is about a five to ten minute walk from all of these locations.
