What do the movies Quicksand, The Opposite of Sex, The Sting, A Night at the Roxbury, Forrest Gump, Iron Man, and Hanna Montana all have in common? If you said they all include scenes featuring the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, you are absolutely correct. One of the most iconic spots on the West Coast, the Santa Monica Pier is a great destination for all manner of family fun. There’s no charge to enter the Pier’s Pacific Park, which boasts a dozen rides, including a roller coaster and a solar-powered Ferris wheel. Summer evenings also regularly feature live, local bands, and if you’re looking for a cold beer or craft cocktail, the Pier’s many outstanding restaurants and pubs have just what you need to stay cool and refreshed. The ever-popular State Beach, with its three-mile stretch of soft, glistening shoreline, also offers an ideal spot for relaxing and gazing out over the majesty of the Pacific.

Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401