Los Angeles with kids

Santa Monica and Venice Beach with Kids: the Pier, a Bike Ride and the Canals

Santa Monica and Venice sit side by side on the beach, linked by a flat bike path, which makes them one of the easiest days in Los Angeles with kids: a pier with rides, a little aquarium, huge playgrounds on the sand and quiet canals.

By Play Your Trip · Updated · 3 min read

The Play Your Trip card for Los Angeles

Here's a one-day plan. The pier is free to walk; rides and the aquarium are paid. Check the official websites for hours.

A day in Santa Monica and Venice

The pier in the morning, bikes to Venice, the canals, and sunset back on the sand.

  1. Morning

    Heal the Bay Aquarium (opens Google Maps)

    A small aquarium under the pier with touch tanks and more than 100 species from Santa Monica Bay. Perfect for little ones.

  2. Late morning

    Pacific Park on the pier (opens Google Maps)

    The solar-powered Ferris wheel over the ocean, a small roller coaster and kiddie rides. Mornings are calmer.

  3. Lunch · Lunch

    Lunch on Main Street

    Family-friendly cafés a few blocks south of the pier.

  4. Afternoon

    Bikes to Venice (opens Google Maps)

    Rent bikes, tag-alongs or trailers near the pier and ride the flat beach path south to Venice (about 3 km). Stop at the playgrounds on the sand.

  5. Afternoon

    Venice Canals (opens Google Maps)

    Quiet residential canals with little arched footbridges and ducks, a few blocks from the beach. Walk, don't bike, here.

  6. Sunset

    Sunset on the beach (opens Google Maps)

    Watch the skaters and the sunset, then ride back to Santa Monica.

Good to know

  • Venice Boardwalk: colourful and lively, with street performers and the skatepark. Fine by day with kids; it gets rowdier later.
  • Swimming: swim near a staffed lifeguard tower; the water is cool most of the year.
  • Parking: beach lots fill up on weekends. The Metro E Line ends a short walk from the pier.
  • Sun: hats and sunscreen, even when it's cloudy in the morning.

Make it a game

A Play Your Trip book turns your beach day into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Los Angeles books are coming soon; see how it works.

Questions

Is Santa Monica Pier good for kids?

Yes: it's free to walk, with Pacific Park's rides and Ferris wheel, the small Heal the Bay Aquarium underneath, and the beach and playgrounds beside it.

How far is Venice from Santa Monica Pier?

About 3 km (2 miles) along a flat beach bike path: a short, easy ride or a longer walk.

Is Venice Beach safe for kids?

During the day, the beach, the canals and the boardwalk are fine with kids; it's busier and rowdier in the evening. Keep to the main areas.