Perched over the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, "The Pier" feels more like a carnival than a place to shop. Cirque du Soleil pitches their tent on the beach here annually, and there are concerts and dances on the weekends in the summer. In addition to the many restaurants and souvenir stands, there is a full-service amusement park with a roller coaster, ferris wheel, merry-go-round and arcade. The pier's end provides one of the best sunset views in Los Angeles County. Credit cards accepted vary by store.
• Hours: Vary