Beautiful Parks
Historic Piers, Lively Boardwalks, and Hidden Coastal Gems Along the LA Coastline
Last Updated: August 21, 2026
Los Angeles County is home to some of Southern California's most iconic piers and boardwalks, each offering a distinct slice of coastal life. This 2026 guide ranks the 10 best piers in Los Angeles, spanning family-friendly amusement, quiet fishing spots, waterfront dining, and classic beach-town charm — from the world-famous Santa Monica Pier to the harbor views of Shoreline Village in Long Beach.
The iconic Santa Monica Pier tops the list with its Pacific Park amusement rides, street performers, and unmistakable Ferris wheel. Just south, the Venice Pier and Boardwalk pairs a historic 1,300-foot fishing pier with the eclectic street art and people-watching Venice Beach is known for. Down the coast, the Redondo Beach Pier and Fisherman's Wharf serve up fresh seafood and a walkable waterfront loop, while the Manhattan Beach Pier and Hermosa Beach Pier anchor the South Bay with panoramic sunset views and lively beach culture. Farther south, Long Beach's Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier and Shoreline Village Boardwalk, San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach Pier, and the small-town charm of Seal Beach Pier round out this list of the best piers and boardwalks in and around Los Angeles.
The Santa Monica Pier stands as a timeless icon, steeped in over a century of history and cinematic allure. Its vibrant atmosphere, adorned with the dazzling lights of the Ferris wheel and the exhilarating twists of the rollercoaster, draws visitors from across the globe. Immortalized in celluloid, the pier has left an indelible mark on the silver screen, gracing classics like "The Sting," "Forrest Gump," "Titanic," "Iron Man," and "A Night at the Roxbury." As visitors stroll along the wooden planks, they tread upon the same ground as cinematic legends, adding another layer of enchantment to this coastal marvel. From the nostalgic charm of the Looff Hippodrome Carousel to the cutting-edge allure of the solar-powered Ferris wheel, the Santa Monica Pier remains a captivating destination, blending history, entertainment, and cinematic magic in perfect harmony.
The southern enclave of Venice boasts the iconic 1,300-foot Venice Pier, adorning the upscale locale known affectionately as Washington Square. Erected in 1963, the pier stands as a testament to accessibility, featuring lights, benches, fish-cleaning stations, and a 120-foot diameter circular end, complete with special cutouts catering to both fishing enthusiasts and wheelchair users. Adjacent to the pier lies the revered Venice Pier Beach, a haven for surfers who ride the waves proximate to its sturdy structure. The Venice Breakwater further enhances the local surfing scene, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide. A paved bike path extends northward from the pier along the sun-kissed shoreline, offering cyclists a scenic route leading all the way to Santa Monica. Volleyball courts pepper the landscape, inviting friendly competition just a stone's throw from the pier's convenient parking lot. Steeped in cinematic history, the Venice Pier and Boardwalk have lent their picturesque vistas to an array of iconic films, from "The Jazz Singer," which immortalized the beachfront allure with scenes near the fishing pier, to "The Big Fix," where the canal district and boardwalk serve as atmospheric backdrops for Richard Dreyfuss' sleuthing adventures. Even "Falling Down" finds its dramatic climax on the Venice fishing pier at Washington St., where Michael Douglas's character meets his fateful end, plunging into the Pacific Ocean below. As a hub of recreation and celluloid magic, the Venice Pier & Boardwalk stand as enduring symbols of coastal beauty and cinematic allure.
The Redondo Beach Pier, nestled amidst the bustling Fisherman's Wharf, offers visitors a picturesque coastal escape with its unique dual connections to the shore, forming an inviting walking loop. Surrounded by the vibrant International Boardwalk and Marina, the pier boasts an array of over 50 dining, entertainment, and shopping options, ensuring there's something for everyone. Beyond its charming confines, the waterfront teems with recreational opportunities, from exhilarating sport boat fishing and captivating whale watching trips to leisurely marina boat rides and invigorating sailing classes. Bike rentals, roller skating/blading, and a sprawling two-mile stretch of sandy beach beckon adventurers to soak up the California sun, whether lounging, swimming, or surfing. Renowned as the largest "endless" pier on the California Coast, its storied past is interwoven with Hollywood glamour, having served as a primary filming location for TV series like "The O.C.," "Riptide," and Redondo Beach Notably, the Redondo Pier played host to the legendary Black Pearl from "Pirates of the Caribbean," adding a touch of mystique to its already captivating allure. From the sun-kissed shores to the cinematic charm, the Redondo Beach Pier stands as a beacon of coastal delight, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its vibrant tapestry of leisure and cinematic history.
Malibu Pier stands as a timeless emblem of coastal charm and history, its legacy dating back to 1905. Adjacent to the renowned Surfrider Beach, where waves beckon surfers from around the globe, the pier offers not just panoramic views of the coastline but a vibrant seaside ambiance steeped in tradition. Its iconic dual white towers and weathered planks invite visitors to stroll along its length, soaking in the salty air and the sight of dolphins frolicking in the waves. With its array of exceptional restaurants and boutiques, including the esteemed Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar and the laid-back Malibu Farm Cafe, the pier beckons both food enthusiasts and sunseekers alike. Whether relishing in farm-fresh cuisine or simply savoring the coastal breeze, Malibu Pier remains an enduring symbol of California's coastal allure, promising a quintessential experience for all who wander its storied planks.
The Manhattan Beach Pier is one of the most recognizable landmarks along the South Bay coastline, extending approximately 928 feet into the Pacific at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Built between 1917 and 1920, the historic concrete pier is California Historical Landmark No. 1018 and is the oldest surviving reinforced-concrete pier on the West Coast. Its distinctive rounded end, ocean views, and classic seaside setting make it an especially appealing place for a leisurely walk, sunset viewing, fishing, and photography. At the end of the pier, the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium adds an educational element to the experience, while the surrounding beach, Strand, restaurants, and shops make it easy to turn a pier visit into a full South Bay outing. The Manhattan Beach Pier also connects naturally with the long beachfront walking and cycling routes that run through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, making it one of the best starting points for exploring the South Bay coast.
The Hermosa Beach Pier is a classic Southern California beach destination, extending 1,140 feet from Pier Plaza and the Strand into the Pacific Ocean. The current pier was built in 1965 and provides expansive views of the coastline, making it an excellent spot for watching surfers, fishermen, sunsets, and the activity along one of the South Bay's most popular beaches. The pier is surrounded by Pier Plaza, restaurants, shops, and the lively beach community of Hermosa Beach, while the adjacent Strand provides an ideal route for walking, jogging, and cycling. As part of the larger Marvin Braude Bike Trail, the waterfront route connects Hermosa with neighboring Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, allowing visitors to experience several of the area's most scenic coastal communities in one outing. For visitors looking for a combination of pier scenery, beach culture, outdoor recreation, and a lively pedestrian atmosphere, Hermosa Beach is one of the strongest choices around Los Angeles.
The Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier offers a different kind of Southern California waterfront experience, stretching approximately 1,620 feet into the Pacific from the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach. The original pier dates to 1915, while the existing concrete structure was built in 1965, giving the landmark a long connection to Long Beach's coastal history. Its considerable length provides sweeping views across the ocean and along the Long Beach shoreline, and the pier is particularly popular with anglers and visitors looking for a quieter waterfront walk than the more entertainment-focused piers farther north. The surrounding Belmont Shore neighborhood adds restaurants, shops, and beach activities within easy walking distance, while the nearby beach and coastal paths make it possible to combine a pier visit with a longer seaside outing. The city is also planning major improvements to the historic pier, making Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier an important part of Long Beach's evolving waterfront.
Shoreline Village offers one of the most distinctive waterfront walks in the Los Angeles area, with a pedestrian boardwalk overlooking Rainbow Harbor in downtown Long Beach. Designed with the character of a quaint coastal village, the waterfront combines colorful architecture with restaurants, specialty shops, entertainment, harbor cruises, bike rentals, and expansive views across the marina. The boardwalk is particularly appealing around sunset, when visitors can stroll beside the water while enjoying views of the Long Beach skyline, the harbor, and the Queen Mary across the channel. Unlike the traditional oceanfront piers farther up the coast, Shoreline Village provides a harbor-side experience with plenty of places to stop for food, shopping, or entertainment along the way. Its location also makes it convenient to combine a waterfront walk with nearby attractions such as the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Aquatic Park, and the rest of Long Beach's downtown waterfront.
Cabrillo Beach Pier provides a more relaxed and less commercial alternative to the famous piers of Santa Monica and the South Bay. Located at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, the pier extends into the Pacific beside a broad recreational beach and offers excellent opportunities for fishing, ocean viewing, and a peaceful seaside walk. The surrounding Cabrillo Beach area includes picnic facilities, volleyball areas, a children's play area, and access to the waterfront of the Los Angeles Harbor. Its location at the southern end of Los Angeles makes it especially worthwhile for visitors exploring San Pedro, the Port of Los Angeles, Point Fermin, and the city's historic waterfront. With fewer tourist-oriented attractions than Santa Monica or Venice, Cabrillo Beach Pier is best appreciated for its open coastal setting, fishing, harbor-area scenery, and relaxed atmosphere.
Just beyond Los Angeles County's South Bay, Seal Beach Pier offers a classic small-town California beach experience that makes it a worthwhile addition to any list of the best piers around Los Angeles. The pier extends into the Pacific from the heart of Seal Beach and is surrounded by a broad sandy beach, a walkable downtown, and Main Street's restaurants and shops. Its traditional wooden-pier atmosphere and relatively laid-back setting provide a pleasant contrast to the larger entertainment districts of Santa Monica, Venice, and Long Beach. Visitors can combine a walk along the pier with time on the beach or an easy stroll through the historic downtown area, making Seal Beach particularly attractive for those seeking a scenic coastal day trip without the intensity of the busier Los Angeles beach destinations.
Santa Monica Pier is the most famous pier in Los Angeles, known for Pacific Park's amusement rides, the historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel, and its many film and television appearances.
Manhattan Beach Pier and Hermosa Beach Pier are both known for wide, unobstructed sunset views over the Pacific, while Malibu Pier offers a quieter, more scenic alternative.
Redondo Beach Pier, Cabrillo Beach Pier, and Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier are popular fishing spots with public fishing areas close to bait and tackle shops.
Yes — Los Angeles County has numerous piers beyond Santa Monica, including Venice, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Malibu, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier and Shoreline Village in Long Beach, Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, and Seal Beach Pier just south of the county line.