Countless movies and TV shows were filmed at Santa Monica Pier, CA making it a bucket list destination for many.
Its famous wheel, cotton-candy skies, unique entertainers, golden sunsets, and clear, blue, ocean waves certainly lived up to the hype.
Bucket List Publications
Indulge- Travel, Adventure, & New Experiences
Bucket List Publications 
One of my favorite places to hang out! Always something different to see.
LikeLike
I used to live in the Palisades and always enjoyed mornings and late afternoons at and around the pier.
LikeLike
So beautiful and can see why they chose that location to shoot movies and shows!
LikeLike
My Bro lived up the road for 8 years and loved it! … Back here in the UK now though!
LikeLike
Ahhh, GREAT memories!! Reminds me I need to take the kids back to play some more!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to take my new, baby girl there. I’m sure she’ll love all the sights and activities. 🙂
LikeLike
Looks like a great place to have fun.
LikeLike
Great pic…can’t wait to go back.
LikeLike
What a beautiful sunset! The pictures are beautiful.
LikeLike
I’m reminded daily of why I moved to California. I can see that same sunset each evening from my patio. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful picture! Have fun Lesley!
LikeLike
Stunning! (Your’re not so bad yourself) 😀
LikeLike
How beautiful and challenging! I’m too old now but a few years ago I would have loved it! My children and grandchildren would love it! Oh yah!!!
LikeLike
I love these pictures, especially the top one of the wheel and the ride.
LikeLike
Having been born in So Cal, oh, a while back, these pictures brought back many good memories, from a lot of different times of life… body surfing & riding the carousel as a kid, going there on dates after college, taking my family and kids there, and many times stopping in for a break while driving down Highway 1… thanks!
LikeLike
My wife and I spent a truly magical evening on the Pier. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
LikeLike
Great visuals.
LikeLike
Beautiful photographs. I love California. Cannot believe it has been 27 years since I visited there. All the beaches iin southern California are cool.
LikeLike
I think it’s time for a return trip 😉
The beauty here never ceases to amaze me.
LikeLike
Santa Monica Pier is one of those sleazy, yet lovely places. Love sitting with a cocktail and watching the lights brighten as the sun goes down.
LikeLike
Love the Pier…love to bike ride and people watch along Muscle Beach. Was there 6 months ago – will be back soon! Thanks for the great pics (and getting me looking for airline tickets)
LikeLike
Oh Gosh the one of you with the ferris wheel in the background is so pretty.
LikeLike
I was born in St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, and grew up riding the merry-go-round on the pier. To this day, the Santa Monica pier remains a magical place for me. Loved your post, Lesley! Thank you…
LikeLike
I grew up in LA… Santa Monica pier and beach were my fave places to hang out on Christmas morning–totally deserted and a great place for a pensive walk.
LikeLike
The sunset shot of the rides is great … the perspective created by the pier supports is off the chart. Great eye.
LikeLike
Was just there a couple of months ago and loved it. Thanks for the post and photos. Very nice!
LikeLike
Love the photo under the pier!
LikeLike
Great shots! Love the B&W under the pier. Nice.
LikeLike
thank you for sharing beautiful photo’s, have fun… 🙂
LikeLike
Never been to Santa Monica, but these pics make me really want to go. Great post!
LikeLike
I am going to have to go there now… great pictures!!
LikeLike
I love all the Photos!!!!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos! I lived very near to this spot for three years and still love to drive up. I really liked your composition for the photo underneath the pier.
LikeLike
Amazing photos! Amazing you in them! I am fascinated with clouds. I always take photos of all kinds of clouds when I go on a trip. I also love the way you say “cotton-candy skies”. Cheers!!!
LikeLike
Beautiful black and white photo under the pier. 🙂
LikeLike
Great pictures! I’m living vicariously through your California posts! Nice work.
LikeLike
Amazing… the picture under the piers – wow!
LikeLike
I have to go visit !!!
LikeLike
These are wicked images on a drab grey Easter morning in north east England! Happy Easter to you. Hope all’s going well with the pregnancy. You look great!
LikeLike
I delivered my baby girl on April 2nd and we are having a great first week together as a family 🙂
LikeLike
Bless you- I should keep up! Many congratulations Lesley. Bet the other half is besotted.
LikeLike
Great shots of the pier!
LikeLike
I worked for a great company (Intrepid) and led passengers up and down the west coast. The pier was always a great stop and they enjoyed the stories about movies filmed there.
LikeLike
Good job on this post. It shows the life around the pier! I “pinned” two of your photos on Pinterest with a mention of your blog post.
LikeLike
Hi Sally, great to see you here. One of my favorite blogs. xoxo
LikeLike
Superb photos!
LikeLike
just beautiful. just spent the whole weekend down by venice and marina del ray … that whole area down there is too nice. great photos!
LikeLike
Hey, Leslie. I would love to see Santa Monica and several other cities in California. Have never been to the west coast but hope to visit someday. Thanks for the “like” on my Key West R&R post. And I am so happy to hear your baby girl arrived and you are both doing well. 🙂
LikeLike
The photos are gorgeous. I have never been to Santa Monica, looks very inviting!
LikeLike
Lesley, I’ve nominated you for an award! http://yourdailydoseofgratitude.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/sunshine-award/
LikeLike
Great pics, it looks as if you had a wonderful time! 🙂
Santa Monica certainly is on my bucket list too 🙂
LikeLike
Great! 🙂
LikeLike
Miss photogenic!!!
LikeLike
Nice pics. I go there all the time and never got that good of pics there….
Love the shimmering beach.
It is real fun there and if you are not feeling like getting sand in your socks, but want to enjoy, people watch, be wowed by a California beach sunset in comfort over a great lunch, dinner or cocktails then check out Shutters on the beach. They have great dinner restaurant called Pico 1, but I prefer the restaurant downstairs if you can get in… prepare to wait.
Also next door, and great for sunset watching is the old Pritikin Center, now the incredible Casa Del Mar. Have lunch and take the short walk to the pier and the longer walk to Venice Beach to see the street people you always see on TV.
You can find these great places at 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
No I do not work there or receive benefits, just sharing.
BTW The Bucket List is one of my Faves… and gets my ♥♥♥♥ 4 heart award!
LikeLike
Opps.. Congrats on the new baby…. xo
LikeLike
Grew up a couple of miles south of there…
Perfect weather, lots of interesting people, wish I never left!
The west coast is the BEST coast! Nice pics!
LikeLike
It wasn’t on my bucket list before, but after this post, I think it is!
LikeLike