This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #BerryGoodFlavors #CollectiveBias
Hello friends! I’m not sure about you, but January was not a fun month for us. We basically decided to hunker down and never
leave the apartment, full on hybernation style. While it was nice to lay low after the holidays, I was getting major cabin fever. Me with cabin fever is not a pretty sight, let me tell ya. In the name of my sanity and everyone who has to deal with me, I decided it was time to venture out of the house and try something new…the Santa Monica pier!
You’re probably thinking to yourself….don’t you live in Los Angeles? Shouldn’t this super iconic LA landmark be something you’ve explored before? Its a shame and kind of embarrassing, butt yes I do live in LA and no I haven’t really spent significant time getting to know this huge attraction in my own city. Whether or not your an Angeleno, or just coming for a visit, the Santa Monica pier is a fun destination for everyone, young and old, and I have partnered up with Diet Coke® to give you all the details you should know for your visit, and to spread the word about their latest flavors, perfect for taking along on a trip to the beach!
Hint: you can find these new delicious and fun Diet Coke® flavors on the soda aisle at your local Kroger or Kroger banner store!
Getting to the Santa Monica Pier
I’d tell ya to just use the old GPS on your phone, but just in case, its super easy to find your way to the Pier….just head west on the I-10…if you hit water, you went too far! Parking at the pier is pretty easy. There’s a lot directly on the pier, which you can enter at Ocean and Colorado, or a lot down below. Depending on the season, these lots can range from $6-$15 a day. I’ve also parked in the nearby parking lots for the city of Santa Monica, which are also a great option, just realize you will have to walk a little bit!
Santa Monica Pier: Classic Los Angeles landmark
The Santa Monica pier first opened in 1909, making this landmark more than 100 years old! It has appeared in countless films, tv shows, music videos, print, and even video games. The pier also contains the iconic Pacific Park, which is the only amusement park on the West Coast that is located on a pier above water. You definitely can’t get much more LA than the Santa Monica pier!
One thing that is a must while at the pier is indulging in some refreshments and yummy snacks. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, few things are as refreshing to me on a sunny SoCal afternoon than an ice cold can of Diet Coke®. I’ve been loving the fun new flavors they have been producing, so of course, when I heard that their latest flavor was Diet Coke® Blueberry Acai, I had to try it out! Let’s just say, it is delicious and such a fun new flavor to quench your thirst. I love the fruity burst of flavor that enhances the classic taste of Diet Coke®. Available in packs or on-the-go singles, they are perfect for breaking out of your comfort zone and trying a fun new flavor while you enjoy a day of fun in the sun! Grab yours at a Ralph’s or a Kroger banner store year you and let me know what you think of the new Diet Coke® Blueberry Acai and Strawberry Guava flavors!
What to do at the Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier has fun for everyone, old and young alike! You can ride several rides on the pier, including a roller coaster, and the ferris wheel, which will give you an incredible view of the coast. You can also play all kinds of fun carnival-style games to try to win fun prizes. Hungry?? The Santa Monica pier is home to several restaurants and frequented by street food vendors, so there’s no shortage of good eats, no matter what you’re in the mood for.
In addition to Pacific Park, the Santa Monica Pier has other awesome attractions. You can see different marine life at the Santa Monica Aquarium, operated by Heal the Bay. If people watching is more your thing, there are no shortage of characters to watch here. Often you’ll find a variety of street performers putting on a myriad of side shows. There’s also a beautiful carousel, housed in its original 1920’s hippodrome. Its so cool to get to experience this little bit of history on the coast and go for a little spin at the same time.
From the pier, I highly suggest renting bikes and taking a cruise down the boardwalk. The ride between Santa Monica and Venice Beach is pretty short, but its a really fun way to get a little exercise and enjoy the salty ocean air and sunshine.
I hope you all enjoyed this post! I am so excited to start bringing you more Los Angeles related content, as I love my city and love being able to share my tips on how to get the most out of it!
pacific ocean Santa Monica pier
