SaMo Scoop
Things to Do
Walks, looks, and a few hours well spent.
A small aquarium under the Pier with local species — as of Oct 2026, regular weekend drop-in hours are paused.
A stretch of independent shops and cafés from 7th to 17th — calmer, and slower, than the Promenade.
A compact aviation museum at Santa Monica Airport, with aircraft, open cockpits, and a Sunday simulator.
The original outdoor gym on the sand just south of the Pier — free equipment, not the Venice pit.
An ungated amusement park on the Pier, with the Pacific Wheel, a coaster, and pay-as-you-go rides.
A free-to-walk pier with a carousel, rides, fishing, and restaurants — busy, and under construction at the entrance.
A car-free downtown shopping street of stores, restaurants, and a twice-weekly farmers market.