Best Time to Visit the Santa Monica Pier (2026): Quietest Hours

The Santa Monica Pier by day and hour. BestTime forecasts.

Santa Monica Pier busyness by day

Busyness is shown as a % of the venue's own weekly peak (100%), not a head count. Values in brackets are the busyness at that hour.

The widget below shows every hour of the pier's typical week.

The Santa Monica Pier is a historic pier from 1909 at the end of Colorado Avenue. It is home to Pacific Park, the carousel in the Looff Hippodrome, an aquarium, restaurants and a fishing spot.

Best time of day to visit

The pier follows a late-day rhythm. It starts at 5% at 6 AM on every day and stays very low until mid-morning. From there it builds steadily through the afternoon and peaks in the late afternoon or early evening.

On weekdays the climb is gentle. On Tuesday, busyness goes from 10% at 9 AM to 45% at 5 PM and 6 PM. On Monday the peak is 55% from 4 PM to 6 PM. Thursday peaks later, with a single high point of 55% at 6 PM.

Friday is a step up. It reaches 60% at 3 PM and holds 65% from 5 PM to 7 PM. Even at 9 PM it is still at 45%.

The weekend climbs fast. On Saturday, busyness goes from 20% at 9 AM to 70% at 1 PM and 100% at 5 PM and 6 PM. At 9 PM it is still at 70%. Sunday peaks one hour earlier, at 100% at 4 PM and 5 PM, and eases to 50% by 9 PM.

The evening is not a quiet escape on weekends. On weekdays, though, 9 PM drops to 25% on Monday to Wednesday and 30% on Thursday.

Weekdays vs weekends

The weekend is clearly busier. Weekdays average 35% and the weekend averages 60%. Saturday and Sunday both average 60%. The weekly peak of 100% falls on Saturday at 5 PM and 6 PM and Sunday at 4 PM and 5 PM.

Among weekdays, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each average 30%. Monday averages 35% and Friday 40%. Weekday peaks stay between 45% and 65%.

Nearby alternatives

The Getty. The Getty runs on a different clock from the pier. It is closed on Monday in our forecast, and its quietest day is Wednesday. On weekdays it peaks at midday, at 12 PM to 2 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On weekdays its calmest hour is 6 PM, at 25% of its own weekly peak. Its busiest slots are Saturday at 2 PM and 3 PM. If you want both in one weekday, see the Getty at 5 PM or 6 PM while it winds down, or go in the morning and keep the pier for the evening. On Sunday, the Getty is at its quietest at 10 AM, at 40%.

Plan your visit

• For the calmest walk, go Tuesday to Thursday between 8 AM and 10 AM. Busyness is 5% and 10% then.
• On a weekend, arrive by 10 AM. Saturday is at 30% at 10 AM and reaches 70% by 1 PM.
• For a calmer late afternoon, Tuesday at 5 PM or 6 PM sits at 45%, compared with 100% at the same hours on Saturday.
• Walking onto the pier is free. Rides and attractions charge their own fees and keep their own seasonal hours.
• Check the official Santa Monica Pier site for ride hours and events.

How we measured

These numbers are BestTime forecasts, built from anonymized, aggregated phone location data combined with real-world signals such as weather, events and holidays. Busyness is a percentage of the pier's own busiest hour of the week (100%), not a head count. The forecast describes a typical week and does not account for seasons, holidays, special events or queues. Read more about how the forecasts work.

Next steps

• Find quiet hours for more landmarks in the free Los Angeles sightseeing guide.
• Browse all busy times guides.
• Plan another stop with the best time to visit Griffith Observatory.
• See the quietest hours at Universal Studios Hollywood.
• Heading out after sunset? Read our guide to Los Angeles nightlife busy times.