Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, United States

Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

Outty Ranking 63 5.0 · 2 traveler reviews0.5 hoursFrom $10

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour worth booking?

Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour is a 0.5-hour experience in Santa Monica, United States, from $10 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
5/5 (2)
Duration
0.5 hours
From
$10 per person

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

What you get

    About this experience

    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.

    What's included

    Included

    • Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
    • Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
    • Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk.
    • Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
    • Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
    • Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
    • Private walking tour experience for your family or group.
    • Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
    • Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

    Not included

    • Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and transport are separate.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Santa Monica Pier

      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.

      15 minutes here

    2. Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome

      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?

      15 minutes here

    3. 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!

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Pacific Park

      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?

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Santa Monica

    Begin from Santa Monica Pier Arch, 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Begin from Santa Monica Pier Arch, 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Adventures with Action

    Know before you go

    • 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.

    Photos

    Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica, photo 2Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica, photo 3Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica, photo 4Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica, photo 5Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica, photo 6Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Santa Monica, photo 7

    Traveler reviews

    2 verified traveler reviews for Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
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    3 star
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    Sightsee59081977403 · December 2024

    Amazing views!

    Pretty neat tour. Had nice stories, easy to just wander about without any time contraints. A laid back way to enjoy the pier vibes.

    Response from the operator: 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!

    via Tripadvisor

    Daydream24003684895 · November 2024

    Informative

    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.

    Response from the operator: 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!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    0.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 63

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
    Review evidence (18% weight)16
    Booking momentum (14% weight)12
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)52
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Monica.

    How much does Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $10 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Monica usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 0.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Monica is not rushed.

    Is Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Monica, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour?

    +

    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Monica can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Monica and add a light layer if any part of the 0.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Monica within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Santa Monica?

    +

    Santa Monica is where most LA coast tours start: beach bike and e-bike rides to Venice, surf lessons, food walks on Third Street and open-top runs up Pacific Coast Highway. On Outty we rank every Santa Monica experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops and Free Time, Half Day Best of Los Angeles City Tour from Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Santa Monica?

    +

    March to May and September to November, dodging the June marine layer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Santa Monica?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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