Good evening, beach walkers. In Santa Monica, a walk beside the pier can take you from the last sunshine on the sand to the first lights above the water. Start on the beach to see the full length of the pier. Then go up onto the deck while there is still enough light to see the coast beyond it.

A ride on the wheel is one way to end the evening, but leave time for a last walk along the boards even if you skip the rides.

Arrive With Time for the Beach

Take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica and walk west toward the ocean. The regular Metro fare is US$1.75 per ride. Check the return timetable and any service changes if you plan to stay for dinner. Walking from the station gives you time to pick up water or a snack before the beach. If you are driving, settle on a legal parking option and look at the posted charges before leaving the car.

From the beach, find a place where you can see the pier from the side. The supports make a long row of dark lines beneath the brighter structures above. On a clear evening, the low sun can reach the sand beyond the pier even after the deck itself has started to look dim. Stay above the reach of the waves and keep a light layer handy for the breeze.

Watch the Light From the Pier

The pier itself is free to visit. Walk beyond the busiest entrance area and look both ways along the coast. Toward the shore you can see people on the broad beach, while the seaward end gives more room to watch the water. Stop where you can stay out of the flow of people. If you want a photograph, a simple frame that includes part of the railing can show the height of the deck above the waves.

Aim to arrive before sunset if you want to see how the coast changes through the evening. The view you get depends on cloud and the time of year. When the horizon is hazy, look for colour closer to you, where the water briefly reflects the sky between waves. Keep a little time for the lights on the pier after the brightest part of the sunset has passed.

Decide About the Pacific Wheel

A ride on Pacific Park’s Pacific Wheel costs US$17 per person. You can buy an individual ticket if the wheel is the only ride you want. The park requires riders to share a gondola, so check the current arrangement if you are visiting alone. Confirm operating hours before timing your evening around the ride, and allow for a queue when the pier is busy.

From the wheel, the beach and streets sit in the same view. Going up just before dark lets you see the coastline, while a later ride is better for lights along the pier. If your group is happy staying at ground level, spend the money on a meal and walk the deck when the crowds thin. A quiet stretch on the beach gives a good view of the illuminated wheel too.

Two Santa Monica Bases

Ocean View Hotel has rooms starting at about US$146 a night. Its Ocean Avenue location is useful if you want to walk to the pier and head back after dark without a separate ride. Check the room description for the view and the total after any property charges. If you drive, compare parking costs before booking a room close to the beach.

Sea Shore Motel in Ocean Park has rooms from about US$144 a night. Its Main Street setting suits travellers who want local cafés and a quieter place to start the following morning. Allow time to walk or take a short ride back from the pier. With similar starting prices, choose according to how much time you plan to spend around the pier and how you want to end the evening.

Stay long enough to see the wheel reflected in a shallow patch of water if the tide leaves one. For a few moments, the best view of the pier may be down at your feet.