Twilight Concerts: Santa Monica Pier

Best Concert Venue in LA

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

Type: Outdoors, Seasonal
Category: Entertainment, Happy Hour, Dinner
Company: Everyone who loves SUMMER, BOOZE, and FOOD on the BEACH!
Cost: Free!
Schedule: July 5th-September 6th. Line-Up. 7pm-10pm. Get there early to secure a spot!

OTC Tip: Contrary to website info, the best spots are *not* on the pier but in the sand on the south side. Choosing to sit *on* the pier will result in bag checks, booze confiscation, and the typical concert crowding that is *so* not Santa Monica. Sit on the beach. Trust me.

Review: 
LA likes to battle out which side is the best side - East of the 405 likes to stock up on destinations like Runyon Canyon, restaurants like Animal, shopping through Beverly Hills and thrills like cupcake ATMs. But the Westside has the beach, and come summer there's truly no contest: The Westside IS the Bestside.

But forget your alliance. Summer is for all, and when the Santa Monica Pier decides to throw Thursday evening concerts from July until September you know where a majority of the LA population will be. And you should join us.

Do:
Bring blankets, folding chairs, dinner (sandwiches from Bay Cities, picnics from Tavern, or assorted feasts to share), beer and/or wine. Yes, if you sit in the sand around the pier this is the only time you can drink on the beach without hiding it. Invite your well-behaved dog: he/she is welcome. Park in the lots around 3rd street or the meters off of Main.

Don't:
Fret about the line-up. It all sounds good when you're eating, drinking, and wiggling your toes in the sand. Bring your dressy clothes, work phones, and salty sailors - this us your chance to have happy hour al fresco so take the 3-hour moment to relax. Ride your bike: sure, they have bike valet but last year I remember being the last to leave the beach and walking past a line of 50 deep waiting to re-claim bikes. Yikes.

Enjoy!