Santa Monica: Ghosts and Phantoms of the Pier Walking Tour

Santa Monica’s pier is famous for its rides and ocean views, but this tour takes a different tack: it looks for the town’s ghosts among its hotels, bars, bridges, and amusement rides. You’ll hear stories about a mysterious disappearance, Old Hollywood, the gold rush, and the Day of the Dead, with the pier as your starting point and finish.

I like the mix of local history and ghost lore, which gives the stories a sense of place rather than making this a generic spooky walk. I also like the chance to hear about hauntings connected to familiar landmarks, including The Georgian Hotel and Chez Jay.

The main consideration is the walking: the tour lasts an hour, is not recommended for anyone unable to walk more than a mile, and is described as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. It runs rain or shine, so comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing matter.

• Start beneath the Santa Monica Pier sign: Meet at Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue, where your guide will have a US Ghost Adventures shirt and lantern.
• Hear stories linked to The Georgian Hotel and Chez Jay: The tour pairs paranormal tales with places tied to Santa Monica’s local and Old Hollywood past.
• Look for the supernatural around the pier: Stories include a mysterious shadow on the carousel and spirits said to appear on rooftops.
• Get a history lesson with the ghost stories: The themes include Santa Monica’s gold-rush connections and Day of the Dead traditions.
• Consider the extended option: It adds three haunted locations, including the Pacific Wheel, where Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy are said to have been spotted together.
• Plan for a walk, not a ride: The one-hour route ends where it begins, and the standard tour is not recommended if walking more than a mile is difficult.

The pier is the right place to begin

All tours meet under the Santa Monica Pier sign at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue, at the foot of Colorado Avenue. This is an easy landmark to identify, but don’t cut it close: arrive 15 minutes before the start time and look for a guide carrying a lantern and wearing a US Ghost Adventures T-shirt.

The pier makes a fitting starting point for a tour about a seaside town with a long public life. You begin among the familiar sights, then shift your attention from the bright, busy waterfront to the stranger stories attached to nearby hotels, bars, bridges, and rides. The walk ends back at the same sign, so there’s no need to arrange transport from a second location.

The mood is meant to be spooky, but the value isn’t only in the scares. The guide connects local ghost tales to Santa Monica’s past, including its gold-rush ties and Day of the Dead traditions. That historical thread gives you more to listen for than a string of unexplained noises and shadowy figures.

The Georgian Hotel and Chez Jay bring the tales closer

Two of the tour’s most distinctive story stops involve The Georgian Hotel and Chez Jay. At The Georgian, you’ll hear first-hand accounts of paranormal hijinks. The phrasing suggests a focus on stories people have told about the place, rather than a claim that the tour can prove anything supernatural.

Chez Jay brings in the spirits of Old Hollywood. The tour connects the area with famous names including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and Marlon Brando. These stories work best as a way to imagine Santa Monica’s past social scene, with the ghostly angle adding a little mischief. If you prefer history that sticks strictly to documented events, keep in mind that paranormal tales are part of the entertainment, not established fact.

The supplied details don’t set out a precise stop-by-stop route or say how long the group spends at each landmark. Expect the guide to lead the walk and tell stories along the way, rather than a long indoor visit at either venue. That makes the tour a useful way to add context to places you may otherwise pass without knowing their connection to the town’s legends.

The carousel, bridges, and rooftop spirits

The pier’s rides and structures provide some of the tour’s most vivid settings. One story involves a mysterious shadow on the carousel, while others point to haunted bridges and amusement rides. You’re not promised a supernatural encounter; the appeal is hearing the local story while standing near the place associated with it.

The tour also invites you to scan the skyline for rooftop spirits, particularly as the sun sets behind the water. If you can choose among available start times, a time near sunset may suit the atmosphere described. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning around the light. The tour takes place rain or shine, and coastal weather can change how comfortable an outdoor hour feels. Bring a layer if the forecast calls for cooler or wet conditions.

The experience is a walking tour, not a ticket to ride the carousel or other attractions. The carousel story is part of the guide’s narration. If you’re hoping for access to rides or interiors, the information provided doesn’t promise that, so plan on hearing the tales from along the route.

A missing-person mystery and two ways to hear the history

The guide also investigates the mysterious disappearance of Celine Borde. That gives the walk a more specific mystery to follow, alongside its broader collection of ghost stories. The provided details don’t explain the circumstances of her disappearance, so go in ready to hear the story from the guide rather than expecting a full case file in advance.

Santa Monica’s gold-rush connections and the Day of the Dead add a wider historical frame. They help distinguish this outing from a tour built only around famous ghosts. You get stories about how local history and cultural traditions shape the town’s legends, though the exact detail and depth will depend on the guide.

The strongest element is the live storytelling. A lantern-carrying guide leading you through actual local settings makes the legends easier to picture than reading a list of hauntings on your phone. One available comment specifically praises the guide, but there are only six ratings overall and the average is 3.7 out of 5. That’s a modest evidence base, so I’d treat the tour as a potentially fun, guide-dependent hour rather than a guaranteed standout.

The extended option adds three locations

The standard tour lasts one hour and returns to the pier sign. If you want more stops, an extended option visits three additional haunted locations, including the Pacific Wheel. At that site, the story is that Marilyn Monroe has been spotted on a date with John F. Kennedy.

That’s a colorful piece of lore, and it also shows the tour’s tone: local places and historical names get a supernatural twist. The additional stops may suit you if the main draw is the ghost stories and you want more of them. The available details don’t state how much longer the extended option takes or its price, so check those specifics before booking rather than assuming they match the standard tour.

For a tighter evening plan, the one-hour version has a clear advantage. It gives you a guided introduction to haunted Santa Monica without taking up much of the night, and it starts and ends at a central landmark. If you’re especially keen on the Pacific Wheel story and the added locations, compare the options when you choose a time.

Is $24 a fair price?

At $24 per person, you’re paying for a one-hour guided walk, a live storyteller, and local tales tied to recognizable places. That’s reasonable if you enjoy ghost lore and want a focused way to learn about Santa Monica’s legends. The value lies in the guide’s delivery and in hearing the stories on location, not in a long list of included attractions.

Transportation and tips are not included. Since the tour begins and ends at the pier sign, you’ll need to make your own way there and plan separately for anything you want to do before or after. The price covers the walking tour itself, not rides, food, or other pier activities.

A helpful guide makes a big difference here. The tour’s central product is storytelling, and the same story can feel engaging or flat depending on how clearly it’s told. The one available comment about the guide is positive, but the overall rating is 3.7 from six ratings. That small sample doesn’t settle the question, but it’s a reason to book for the subject matter and convenient format, not on the assumption that every tour will be exceptional.

Who should take this walk?

This tour suits you if you like spooky stories, enjoy seeing familiar places through a different lens, and are comfortable walking outdoors for about an hour. It may be especially appealing as an evening activity, when the setting and sunset views support the ghost-story mood. It also works for visitors who want a short, guided introduction to Santa Monica’s local legends without committing to a longer excursion.

It’s less suitable if you want a strictly historical tour with no folklore, need a seated experience, or have difficulty walking more than a mile. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but it is also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and not recommended for those who cannot walk more than a mile. Those descriptions don’t sit neatly together. If access is a concern, check directly with the operator before booking rather than relying on the label alone.

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a passport or ID card. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and video recording are not allowed. The tour is in English, runs rain or shine, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you’re still shaping your plans.

Should you book the Santa Monica ghost tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, short walk built around local ghost stories, Old Hollywood names, and the familiar landmarks of the pier area. The best reasons to go are the setting, the unusual mix of history and hauntings, and the guide’s role in bringing those tales to life.

Skip it if you’re after a long historical tour, guaranteed paranormal evidence, or a low-walking outing. For most people who enjoy a good local legend and can comfortably walk the route, the $24 standard tour is a low-commitment way to spend an hour. Choose the extended option only if the added locations, especially the Pacific Wheel story, are worth extra time to you.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet beneath the Santa Monica Pier sign at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue, at the foot of Colorado Avenue. The guide will wear a US Ghost Adventures T-shirt and carry a lantern.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the tour’s starting time.

How long is the standard tour?

The standard walking tour lasts one hour. Check availability for starting times.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point beneath the Santa Monica Pier sign.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but it is also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and not recommended for anyone who cannot walk more than a mile. If access is a concern, confirm the route details with the operator before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, and clothing suited to the weather.

Does the tour run in the rain?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.