192 See the Sights at Santa Monica Pier With tangerine-hued sunsets from a solar-powered Ferris wheel and roller coaster rides at Pacific Park, Santa Monica Pier is loads of fun and ranks among Southern California's most Instagrammable spots. Take a stroll along the pier or expansive surrounding beach, treat yourself to a lobster roll or creamy milkshake, or learn more about the pier's ocean environment at Heal the Bay Aquarium, home to more than 100 species of aquatic animals.