Your Ultimate Guide to Shopping on the Santa Monica Pier
When it comes to fun and excitement on the shores of the Golden State, no trip is complete without a visit to the Santa Monica Pier. With its Instagram-worthy beaches, tasty boardwalk treats, thrilling Pacific Park rides, and stores for all manner of mementos and memorabilia, the Pier has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a Los Angeles local picking up some unique gifts or a traveler hoping to snag that perfect souvenir, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for while shopping on the Santa Monica Pier.
The Pier has no shortage of shops, selling everything from Route 66 memorabilia to fishing supplies. Head inside Pacific Park, and you’ll find even more specialty stores and gift stands. Feeling daunted by all your options? Here’s a quick guide highlighting all of the stores you’ll want to watch out for while shopping at Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier.
Shopping in Pacific Park…Here’s a quick guide highlighting all of the stores you’ll want to watch out for while shopping at Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier.
If you’re looking to do shopping on the Santa Monica Pier, head on into Pacific Park. Located along the south side of the Pier, this California amusement park and entertainment venue boasts twelve thrilling rides, including a 55-foot steel coaster and the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel. In between all the rides and midway games, you can also peruse the specialty stores and gift stands inside the Park. There you’ll find sweet Santa Monica themed merchandise such as apparel, local gifts, magnets, and more.
Here are three shops you’ll definitely want to check out once you’re inside Pacific Park.
Pier Gear
Looking for fun, beach-themed souvenirs to commemorate your trip to Santa Monica? Stop by Pier Gear, located next to Santa Monica’s famous Trapeze School. This souvenir shop has a vast assortment of fun mementos, including t-shirts, magnets, shot glasses, and the ever-popular Lifeguard sweatshirts. You can even pick up a more customizable gift, like beach sand bottles or seashell jewelry. Be sure to also keep an eye out for their rotating selection of locally designed products and collectibles from artisans all throughout the Santa Monica area.
Airstream
Route 66 merchandise is all the rage at the Santa Monica Pier. If you can’t get enough, be sure to stop by Airstream, located just before the Pier’s fishing docks. This unique gift stand is fashioned from a custom-designed Airstream trailer and features a wide variety of Route 66 themed gifts, from baseball caps to t-shirts, and everything in between. It also makes a fun stop for a quirky, vintage Instagram photo.
Magnet Wall
If your family has a tradition of collecting magnets for every trip you take, you’ll definitely want to check out the Magnet Wall in Pacific Park. This fun little gift stand is exactly what it sounds like—a whole wall of Santa Monica and Los Angeles themed magnets for you to choose from. Pick out your favorites and decorate your fridge at home with all of your memories from the Pier.
Shopping on the Santa Monica Pier
For about 100 years, the Pier has welcomed visitors with picturesque views of the California shore. Over time, more and more shops began popping up, celebrating the Pier’s vibrant history and providing guests with fun mementos of their visit. Even without heading into the theme park, the Pier offers plenty of opportunities for shopping. Take a stroll down the Santa Monica Pier, and you’ll quickly see just how much this seaside venue has to offer.
Here are a few more shops you won’t want to miss out on!
Santa Monica Pier Shop & Visitor Center
If you’re a first time visitor to the Pier, you’ll want to stop at the Santa Monica Pier Shop & Visitor Center. Located at 200 Santa Monica Pier just across from the parking lot, this historic center is your go-to place for information on everything the Pier has to offer, as well as official Santa Monica apparel and gifts. Step inside and speak with friendly and helpful travel guides, grab a map, and maybe snag a souvenir or two.
66 to Cali
After your stop at the Pier Shop & Visitor Center, take a short stroll down the boardwalk, and you’ll come across 66 to Cali. Owner Dan Rice opened this small gift stand in 2009 after traveling Route 66 over 25 times and noticing a lack of American-made t-shirts being sold along the famous highway. This inspired him to create his own line of t-shirts and open his own shop on the Pier, which is the official “end of the road” for Route 66. From clothing to shot glasses, everything in 66 to Cali is made in the U.S.A., as a tribute to the iconic American road. Patriots and history buffs alike will adore this vintage-themed shop, so be sure to stop on by.
Oatman Rock Shop
Speaking of history, as you stroll further down the Pier, and you’ll spot the Oatman Rock Shop just past Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company on the right. Open since 1965, this beachside gift stand sells an assortment of souvenirs such as shells, crystals, 60s-themed mementos, and more. If you’re a fan of vintage-inspired merchandise and love supporting local shops, be sure to check this one out. After shopping, take a quick stop for some gorgeous snapshots overlooking the beach.
Marlene’s Beachcomber
Speaking of the beach, you may want to put the shopping on hold for a while and go take a dip in the ocean. If you’re in need of some beachside essentials, Marlene’s Beachcomber has got you covered. From men’s and women’s sunglasses and bathing suits to souvenir beach umbrellas and towels, this shop has everything your family needs for a great day at the beach.
Marlene’s isn’t just beachside essentials though—what makes this shop unique is their Fishing for Pearls promotion, where you can pick your own oyster and have it opened in front of you to reveal a real saltwater Akoya pearl. Take your pearl home on its own or wear it in one of their pendant necklaces. Either way, this beautiful beachside souvenir makes the perfect gift for you or someone you love and is a great way to commemorate your trip to Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle
If your family has come to the Pier to do some fishing, you’re in luck. Located at the very end of the Pier, the Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle shop is your one-stop-shop for fishing supplies. You can rent poles, purchase bait and tackle, and chat with knowledgeable staff who will be happy to get you started. Whether you’re a master angler or simply just a beginner, you’ll definitely want to check out this shop if you plan on doing any fishing during your time at the Pier.
Even More Great Shops
These shops listed here are just a few of the many gift stands and stores on the Santa Monica Pier and inside Pacific Park. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your family, or your friends back home, there’s no lack of options when it comes to fun and unique Santa Monica themed gifts, souvenirs, and merchandise. Head on down the Pier and see for yourself. You never know just what treasures you may find!