Santa Monica Pier Turns the Ocean Into a Playground for LA Kids Who Rarely Get to See It

On Saturday, October 10, the Santa Monica Pier stopped being a postcard and became a private backyard for kids from underserved communities across Los Angeles County. The second annual Youth Day at the Pier gave roughly 200 children and their caretakers a full day of free entertainment, amusement-park rides, performances, and, for many, their first look at the Pacific Ocean.

Presented by the Santa Monica Pier Corporation and made possible by Goldenvoice, the event is part of a two-celebration series running through 2026–27. Kids arrived by school bus, stepped onto the historic pier, and immediately found arts and crafts tables, soccer games, Dance Arts Academy performances, free rides on the classic Merry-Go-Round, Pacific Park attractions (including the Sea Dragon), and Playland Arcade coupons. The whole thing happened against the backdrop of open water and ocean air most of the children had never experienced in person.

“Youth Day is about making the Pier feel like it belongs to every kid, not just the ones who already know how to get here,” said Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian of the Santa Monica Pier. “A lot of these children live in Los Angeles and still haven’t stood at the edge of the Pacific. We’re trying to change that, one free day at a time.”

The program launched in 2025 in partnership with the Hands and Hearts of Hope Foundation. What started as a single outreach day has grown into an annual tradition focused on access. Goldenvoice is the presenting partner for the current two-event series. Additional support came from the Santa Monica Ocean Way Festival, Kaiser Permanente, Pacific Park, Kiwanis Santa Monica, Playland Arcade, Costco, Starbucks, and the City of Santa Monica.

A second Youth Day is already scheduled for May 2027. The Santa Monica Pier Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funds free programs like this through donations, sponsorships, and community partnerships. Anyone interested in supporting future Youth Days can give at http://www.santamonicapier.org/support and select “Youth Day at the Pier.”

The October event also received support from community partners Santa Monica Ocean Way Festival, Kaiser Permanente, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, Kiwanis Santa Monica, Playland Arcade, Costco, Starbucks and the City of Santa Monica, whose participation helped provide activities and experiences for the children and families attending.

Launched in 2025 in partnership with the Hands and Hearts of Hope Foundation, the inaugural Youth Day welcomed children from underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County to the Santa Monica Pier. For many participants, it was their first opportunity to see the Pacific Ocean, despite living in the greater Los Angeles area. The program has since grown into an annual tradition dedicated to providing young people with memorable experiences while fostering community engagement and giving back.