My goddaughter (17) and I will be in Santa Monica next week. We will be staying near the SM Pier. If we go there around 7pm, is it safe? Also, it is worth it? What is there to do? (ie: what kind of rides, etc) I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!!!
Andiamo

At 7 p.m. it will be fine. It stays light at this time of year until 8:30 p.m.. The rides are very mild, and the ferris wheel is fun after dark when it's all lit up. Do take a jacket, as our evenings are cool, and cooler on the ferris wheel.

Keep in mind that next week will be July 4th weekend, so it will be busier at the pier. I haven't been keeping track of the fireworks down there in recent years. The fireworks in Santa Monica used to go off at the end of the pier, and the pier and the beach on either side of the pier became packed with people and became rowdy, so the city ceased doing the fireworks display in the evening. For a while at least (I don't know if they are still doing this), to avoid the problems that were being encountered the city, in its infinite wisdom, decided to do the "Dawn's Early Light" display. Which, if anyone knows Santa Monica at that time of year, means the fireworks going off at dawn could not be seen for the "Dawn's Early Fog".

Instead, go to Marina del Rey to see the fireworks over the bay for the double effect.

Surfergirl, I am staying at the Foghorn in MDR in 3 weeks, is it any good ?
I was kinda concerned because I called and talked to the guy at the front desk, I asked him how far of a walk it was to Venice Beach on the Strand, and the guy said he'd never heard of the Strand, and he didn't know how far of a walk it was, but it was a 5 minute drive.........

Surfergirl,
Thanks for the advice! We will be arriving on Monday and leaving Thursday morning (to come home to SF) to avoid the July 4th craziness. Thanks for the advice on the jackets. I keep thinking how much warmer it is in LA, but forget that at night by the water, it might be cooler. (I should mention our July 4th fireworks in SF are sad. So much fog in summer, it's like "BOOM" then pink fog, "BOOM", green fog, "BOOM", red fog, etc!!!!

So, I think we'll take a walk and check out the pier. Do you know exactly where it is located? I'm just trying to figure out where to park, or if we should walk.

Thanks for all of your help!!!
Andiamo

Santa Monica Pier is nothing great IMO. Pretty trashy rides and pretty trashy people.
Its pretty safe and I wouldnt worry about the cold-its been very warm here recently. No June gloom!

I'd spend about 15 minutes to walk out on the pier and walk back, then rent bikes (almost under the pier) and ride the paved path that goes to Venice right through the sand of the beach (about 15 or 20 minutes tops). A whole lot more fun than the pier itself.

A 17 year old might not stay entertained on the Pierfor very long, but it is worth a walk and you could mix in shopping on the Promenade (about 3 blocks inland) which she might like. The Pier does have some tame rides and games (my young ones liked to try to win the cheap toys, but a 17 year old might not be so into stuffed Nemos anymore). You won't have any trouble finding the Pier if you are staying near it - it juts out from the coastline at the end of Broadway-ish - can't remember the exact street, but it is Broadway or Colorado I think - take that to the water, look left, and there it will be!

fredman - In Venice, it is called the Boardwalk - in Hermosa Beach, they call the beachwalk The Strand. The guy you talked to either genuinely didn't realize the mix-up or did not feel like being helpful - but either way, renting a bike will get you to the Venice Boardwalk in 5-10 minutes.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. We had a blast. We didn't go to the Pier, but wound up spending our evenings on the 3rd street promenade. I appreciate everyone's help and advice!!
Andiamo