In Los Angeles County, where the boulevards are wide, the views sweeping, and the parking elusive, location counts for everything. And when it comes to Santa Monica, a sun-splashed blend of seaside charm and coastal culture, The Pierside Hotel places you squarely in the center of it all. Just steps from the iconic Santa Monica Pier, a block from the buzz of Ocean Avenue, and directly across from the beach’s endless stretch of sand, the 132-room hotel offers a front-row seat to the best of L.A.'s favorite oceanfront playground.
The Pierside is not about butlers or marble, nor does it pretend to be. Instead, its appeal lies in a more relaxed kind of luxury. What it delivers is access: to the surf, the city, and the unmistakable spirit of a Southern California beach day done right. Just outside its front door, Santa Monica unfurls at your feet. To the left, the historic Santa Monica Pier, with its candy-colored Ferris wheel and arcade energy, is a minute’s walk away. To the right, the pedestrian promenade stretches down to Main Street and up toward Palisades Park, where palms sway over ocean bluffs. And before you, the sand. That vast, golden expanse that’s drawn sunseekers and filmmakers alike for decades. In the summer months, you’ll see volleyball nets strung up, kids zigzagging down bike paths, surfers paddling out for one more wave. And if you’re staying at The Pierside, you’ll be equipped to join them.
Through its Board Shop, the hotel provides complimentary beach chairs, towels, skateboards, and even boogie boards, making spontaneous dips in the Pacific or lazy hours by the shore a breeze. There’s also a small fleet of bicycles available, ideal for riding up the coast toward the more tranquil stretches of Will Rogers State Beach or down to Venice, where street performers and skateboarding teens create a kinetic sidewalk show.
Inside, the rooms are cheerful, functional, and light-filled. Crisp white linens, soft blue accents, and playful touches reflect the surrounding ocean, while practical amenities—Wi-Fi, Keurig machines, mini-fridges—ensure that modern comforts aren’t overlooked.
Downstairs, The Surfing Fox, helmed by Chef Irene Verceles, brings welcome character to the lobby level. With whimsical beach house design and an approachable all-day menu, it feels more like a favorite neighborhood spot than a typical hotel restaurant. In the evenings, the al fresco patio hums with energy. Additional hotel amenities include a swimming pool (where Sunday Sound Baths take place), a compact but well-equipped fitness center, valet parking, a game selection, and a cozy, fireplace warmed lobby lounge with couches and communal tables for working, reading, or unwinding post-surf. You can even borrow an LED red light Therabody TheraFace Mask if that’s your thing. There’s also a small shop next to the reservation desk stocked with sunscreen, snacks, a variety of drinks, and logoed items for remembering your stay.
The Pierside understands its context: you’re not here to stay indoors. You're here to wake up early and walk the shoreline, to bike the Marvin Braude path with the wind in your face, to hike the Santa Monica Stairs, or explore the boutiques of Montana Avenue, only to walk “home” along the oceanfront. And when you do return, The Pierside offers that rarest of coastal comforts: a place to crash without pretension, a clean, cool room, and a place to rinse the saltwater from your hair.
In Santa Monica, where so much of the experience is built around the outdoors, The Pierside delivers the essentials—with an unbeatable address with proximity to the beach, to the pier, to the city’s cultural landmarks and casual magic. And for travelers looking to spend more time exploring and less time navigating, that’s a luxury in its own right.
Photos courtesy of The Pierside Santa Monica
