Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
Description
No trip to sunny Los Angeles is complete without a visit to the Santa Monica Pier, and no visit to the Pier is complete without this self-guided audio walking tour! As you stroll along this bustling pier, you’ll dig deep into its history, from its humble origins to devastating storms and ambitious amusement parks. Spot the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel and Pacific Park before making your way to the very end of the pier, offering unbeatable views of the ocean and Santa Monica Beach. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our tour begins at the Santa Monica Pier Arch. You can’t miss it! This historic structure has been standing tall for over 80 years, adding a little touch of drama to the pier’s entrance. The tour is over 0.38 miles long, with more than 14 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Now let’s get to know Charles Looff, Danish immigrant, furniture carver, and the pier’s hero. By day, he carved away in a factory, but at night, he created life-size animal sculptures full of imagination, whimsy, and magic. Can you guess what he was building?
To our left stands Santa Monica’s iconic carousel. While this one only dates back to the 1940s, the original was built by none other than Charles Looff. He built it as part of a hugely ambitious project in 1916. His goal was nothing less than turning this sewage site into a tourist attraction!
For decades, the pier sat mostly empty and unused. By the 70s, Santa Monica’s City Council was looking for excuses to tear down the old eyesore. They put forth a plan to destroy the pier and build an artificial island instead. During a meeting, a resident asks the City Manager whether the public should have a say. His response?
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Reviews(2)
Pretty neat tour. Had nice stories, easy to just wander about without any time contraints. A laid back way to enjoy the pier vibes.
Dustin, I’m glad you enjoyed my Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. I loved that you found the stories engaging and appreciated the laid-back, flexible experience to soak in the pier vibes. If you're excited to explore more at your own pace, my 100+ self-guided tours offer the same flexibility and seamless experience. Enjoy your next adventure!
This Santa Monica Pier walking tour, provides an in-depth, self-guided audio experience that explores the pier's history and attractions at your own pace. The tour begins under the famous Santa Monica Pier arch and covers highlights like the Pacific Park with its solar-powered Ferris wheel, and the Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign. This GPS-based tour features location-triggered stories that start automatically, even without an internet connection, making it highly convenient for visitors.
James, I'm thrilled you enjoyed my Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. It's fantastic that you found the GPS-triggered, location-based stories convenient and helpful for exploring the pier's history and attractions without an internet connection. Starting under the iconic Santa Monica Pier arch and uncovering spots like Pacific Park and the “End of the Trail” sign sounds like a memorable journey. If you're excited to explore more at your own pace, my 100+ self-guided tours offer the same flexibility and seamless experience. Enjoy your next adventure!
