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Santa Monica Pier
Bryant Irawan /Indonesia Media
 Racking up around 3.5 million people a year, the Santa Monica Pier is truly the most recognized landmark of Santa Monica. On September 9, 1909, the Santa Monica Municipal Pier finally opened to the public. Thousands of people swarmed onto the 1,600-foot pier to enjoy a festive day of band concerts and swimming races. With an impressive visitor toll on the first day, Charles Looff became impressed with the pier’s potential. In 1916, Looff started to construct his pier along side the Municipal Pier and added the landmark Hippodrome building that now houses the vintage merry-go-round and Wurlitzer organs. Later in 1953, it was  taken over by the City of Santa Monica. Being an amusement park, aquarium, arcade, and a host of the first solar Ferris wheel in the world all at the same time has helped the pier rank as one of the best if not the best pier in the States. Similar to the Promenade St. in Santa Monica, the pier also has street vendors providing their service to tourists. After relaxing in the beach, visitors have the option to head to the food court or dine at a shrimp restaurant. Playing a few arcade games and riding the roller coaster on the pier is always available if you have a craving for more fun. All sorts of amusement rides are available from bumper cars to a rocking dragon boat. Visitors could  even fish on the side of the pier. Of course, this is no professional deep sea fishing, but it’s an excellent place for novices to train. The pier also displays one of Wyland’s renowned marine murals at the pier. If you ever drive by Long Beach, has a circular aquarium with magnificent portraits of whales and sea creatures caught your eye? If so, this mural’s artist is the same as the giant aquarium in Long Beach. Remember, the pier is free for you to explore as much as you want and take your time to slowly stroll back and forth across the pier. And to  finish your day, bikes are available for rent to ride along the South Bay Bicycle Trail which runs along the beach for 22 miles. It’s a great way to ride at a safe bike trail while enjoying the view of the beach and a sunset. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to cover the whole pier in one day, but one visit is all you need to remember this pier forever.
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