Santa Monica Pier Carousel

For anyone that finds themselves interested in our Golden Age of Hollywood tour – we have a recommendation for a great way to cap off a trip in the truest old-fashioned way possible. After learning all about the golden era of Hollywood and Beverly Hills with our city tour, you can make your way down to the Santa Monica Pier for a classic afternoon filled with soda fountains, ice cream sundaes, and a carousel ride.

Santa Monica Pier Carousel

Just at the start of the Santa Monica Pier, literally to your left as you step onto the boardwalk, is a building known as the Hippodrome, harboring one of the most well-kept attractions from the early days of Santa Monica. Inside this unassuming building you will find a classic carousel, beautifully kept and ready for you to hop on and ride. Part of the original “Pleasure Pier” that sat adjacent to the Santa Monica pier, the carousel first debuted in June of 1916. Once the smaller pier was going to be torn down by the city in the 1970’s, it was moved to the Santa Monica pier by a restoration task force team. Fully restored in the 80’s after being nearly destroyed by winter storms, it’s the perfect piece of Santa Monica for any history buff. 100 years of history and visitors have much to admire.

Santa Monica Pier

This historical attraction may be a quieter part of the pier, and lesser known than the noisy, more modern rides at the end, but it has all the charm for those looking for that classic feel. Inside the Hippodrome is an old fashioned soda fountain, so you can have your ice cream cone while you ride the carousel. Not a bad afternoon and it makes for some fun shots of the family for Instagram (You’ve got to keep the millennials interested somehow)!

Plus, fans of the movie, “The Sting” with Robert Redford and Paul Newman, will certainly recognize it as a filming location.