This Cool Oceanfront Hotel Is a Straight Shot to Santa Monica’s Iconic Pier

The Pierside, a new addition to the city’s hotel scene that’s located right across the street from the pier, proved the ideal base for my stay. Managed by Sage Hospitality Group, the 132-room property — formerly a Wyndham — underwent an extensive renovation in 2023. The result? A lifestyle hotel with a laid back yet chic beachy vibe.

Inside The Pierside: a coastal aesthetic, fresh California eats, and all the beach gear you’ll need

The Pierside’s inviting lobby has seating areas with contemporary furniture and decor in a calming sand-and-sea palette of taupe, blue, and cream. One exception, a pair of sunset-hued armchairs, delivers a pleasing pop of color. By the front window, small flames danced in a standalone retro gas fireplace. Though the weather was far from chilly, I could easily imagine parking myself there on a cooler day.

A wood-slat wall separates the lobby from the equally appealing Surfing Fox, which specializes in coastal California cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Touches like retractable glass doors that open to a patio, built-in cushioned benches, and whimsical rattan front-porch “swing” seats create a relaxed, indoor-outdoor feel. The restaurant also has live music on Fridays and a bar with happy hour specials.

Upon checking-in, I discovered one of The Pierside’s most delightful amenities: The Board Shop. More of a neatly arranged display area by the front desk than an actual shop, it offers an array of items you can check out to dial up your pleasure on or off the beach. Along with boogie boards, surf boards, and skateboards, you’ll find things like board games and cameras. If vinyl tunes are your jam, borrow an old school record player. Or make your own music with a Board Shop ukulele. Guests get two hours of complimentary gear rentals daily.

Rooms at The Pierside: ocean, mountain, and city views

I’m a sucker for a window seat with a view, so I was thrilled to discover that my Coastal King room at The Pierside had the next best thing: a sectional sofa with a long chaise resting against a pair of floor-to-ceiling windows. I started my mornings there, sipping coffee brewed in the in-room coffee maker while drinking in the view of Santa Monica’s natural and human-made assets: the ocean, the Santa Monica Mountains to the west, and downtown’s high-rises and rooftops spread out below me. Added bonus: the sectional converted into a queen sleeper. Many of The Pierside’s rooms include sofa beds.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with the family, The Pierside has a variety of rooms to meet your needs. (And feel free to bring your pup along for the fun — the hotel welcomes dogs.) If, like me, you need to see water when staying by the beach, book a coastal room or suite with a partial ocean view. Or pay a bit less for accommodations overlooking neighboring Tongva Park or the Santa Monica skyline. Prices fluctuate, with standard rooms ranging from around $300-$600 per night, depending on the season. Standard suites start at about $450 per night.

All rooms boast plank floors and understated decor in soothing neutrals and blues that, like the rest of the hotel, evoke the coast.

Amenities at The Pierside: a sunny pool, Peloton bikes, and a can’t-miss mural

As someone who doesn’t have a great sense of direction, I appreciated The Pierside’s easy-to-navigate layout. Both the compact 24-hour gym — equipped with Peloton bikes, treadmills, elliptical trainers, and weights — and access to the outdoor pool are just down the hall from the front desk. Stretching up the side of the six-story hotel, a colorful mural by artist Shepard Fairey creates a dramatic backdrop for the small but appealing pool area. Another perk: The hotel provides reusable bottles for guests that can be filled at water stations on every floor, making it easy to hydrate while you play at the beach or elsewhere.

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Things to do near The Pierside

Hit the Santa Monica Pier

Constructed in 1909, the Santa Monica Pier is a US National Historic Landmark that lures more than 10 million visitors annually. Many come for the rides and games at Pacific Park. Santa Monica is also where iconic Route 66 terminates, and the pier is its unofficial endpoint. Tourists from all over the world line up for selfies at the “End of the Trail” sign near the entrance. I decided to skip the photo op and head to the amusement park.

I’m a wimp when it comes to riding roller coasters, even relatively tame ones like Pacific Park’s West Coaster. But I got a vicarious thrill watching the red cars clack up yellow tracks high above the sparkling Pacific, before whipping their way around a web of tight curves to deliver their shrieking passengers back to earth. The old-fashioned carnival games were more my speed. Even though I didn’t win a giant stuffed animal, I had fun playing a couple rounds of ring toss.

Then I strolled to the end of the pier. The wooden timbers creaked under my feet as music from different performers mingled with excited laughter and the squawks of gulls dive-bombing for stray fries and funnel cake crumbs. A group of women broke into a line dance in front of one musician, bringing smiles to the faces of passersby. The refreshing ocean breeze grew stronger as I neared the end of the pier. There, I peered over the railing at fishermen on a platform below attempting to hook sand bass, halibut, and surf perch.

Santa Monica Pier: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Really dig in at The Surfing Fox

I was starting to crave some seafood myself, so I headed to The Surfing Fox for dinner. Chef David Yamaguchi draws on his Japanese and Mexican heritage to concoct unique versions of some of the familiar dishes on the restaurant’s simple menu. Take the vibrant green edamame hummus that my friendly server recommended as a dinner starter. Seasoned with wasabi and furikake — a Japanese spice — it had just enough kick to wake up my taste buds.

Wonton chips on the side were a satisfying alternative to pita bread. I also enjoyed the street corn focaccia served with rich chipotle butter. Earlier that day, I’d noticed a server delivering The Surfing Fox’s fish and chips to an outside table. One tantalizing whiff, and I knew I couldn’t leave The Pierside without ordering them. Good decision — the flaky Icelandic cod, wrapped in golden crust, lived up to my expectations.

The Surfing Fox: 120 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Stroll through Palisades Park

After coffee in my room the next morning, I took a walk in pretty Palisades Park. Sandwiched between Ocean Avenue and bluffs that tower above the coastline, the park has a 1.8-mile path lined with palms and elegant old street lamps. Popular with joggers and walkers, it’s also a prime spot to catch sunset. On the way back to The Pierside, I made a pitstop for more caffeine at Espresso Cielo, where I savored my latte at an outdoor table.

Then I returned to the Surfing Fox for breakfast. I’ve had my share of disappointing avocado toasts, but I was totally stoked on The Surfing Fox’s take on the ubiquitous breakfast staple: a generous portion of avocado perfectly seasoned with smoky salsa macha (a Mexican condiment) and topped with ninja radishes.

Palisades Park: Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Pedal to Venice or beyond

That afternoon, I rented a beach cruiser from Boardwalk Bike Rentals, located just south of the pier. The Pierside has complimentary electric bikes for guests, but they seemed like overkill for the flat Marvin Braude Bike Trail. Pedaling south, I passed iconic Muscle Beach where hard bodies showed off on the rings and balance beams. The gorgeous, 22-mile oceanfront trail meanders all the way to Torrance Beach, but I only went as far as Venice, a couple miles south of Santa Monica.

With separate sections for cyclists and pedestrians, the trail never felt too crazy or congested. I stopped to join a crowd of spectators marveling at the daredevil antics of skaters at Venice Skate Park, then ventured off the trail for a quick detour to the famed Venice canals. With their dainty, arched bridges that look like something out of a fairytale, and assorted small boats moored in front of lovely homes, the canals cast a spell on me.

Boardwalk Bike Rentals: 1619 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Swim or bodysurf in the Pacific

Back at The Pierside, I was ready for a dip in the ocean. I grew up just down the coast in San Diego and spent almost every summer day at the beach. After grabbing a beach chair from the Board Shop, I staked out a spot in the sand, then hit the water, a perfect 70 degrees. Bodysurfing Santa Monica’s gentle waves, then lazing in the sun with a book, transported me back to the carefree summers of my childhood.

Get one last taste of Santa Monica

Sadly, my time in Santa Monica was vanishing faster than high tide can wash away a sandcastle. That evening, I went back to the pier for dinner and to experience its festive nighttime energy and colorful lights. There are plenty of dining options, including sit-down restaurants like Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. But I made a beeline for Pier Burger, known for its tasty burgers and frozen custard.

Before checking out the next morning, I headed north on the oceanfront trail for breakfast at Back on the Beach Cafe, a casual eatery that’s popular with locals. Striped orange umbrellas protect tables that sit right on the sand, but because there was a wait for them, I opted to dine indoors where I was seated right away. The setting was just as pleasant, and I feasted on a veggie omelet, home fries and fresh-baked scone. Fueled for the long drive home to the Bay Area, I headed back to The Pierside, packed my bag, and hit the road.

Pier Burger: 330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Back on the Beach Cafe: 445 CA-1, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Getting to The Pierside

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport to Santa Monica. From the airport, hop on the 405 or 110 and head west for about 30 minutes. Rideshares are easy to secure at the airport, as well as to get around town, although Santa Monica is also known for being walkable. Add in public transportation options like buses and the light rail, scooter-shares, and the e-bikes that The Pierside provides, and you should have no problem getting around.