This is a follow on from my last post. I was wondering where is the best place to park when we visit Santa Monica Pier? Is there street parking or is there parking garages nearby?

ttt

You can park on the pier itself for $5-7, not sure exactly. Up from the pier
on 2nd Street (2-3 blocks from ocean) you can park in a public lot for 2 hours for free, then a reaosnable amount after. If you enter the public lots after 6 pm it is $3 flat fee.

There is street metered parking but it is often full.

Kylie--I've never had a problem parking in Santa Monica. Public lots near the pier or right on the beach on Pacific Coast Highway.

Just got back from Santa Monica and was very disappointed with the Pier. It was like a big dirty carnival so if you like that kind of thing it will be fine. However, parking at the Promenade could be a headache. On Friday night, we had to drive through 4 parking garages before we found a spot!!

Getting there before 6 helps. Also, I agree with the 2nd street parking garage recommendation. I usually don't have problems there. Everyone tries to park in the mall structure.

The 3 lots that we went to that were full were all on 2nd Street.

Suzy...yup...on Friday night, the parking in S.M. sucks, pure and simple.