Pier 360 Beach Festival Returns June 28-29 with Two Days of Surf, Sports and SoCal Vibes
Photo credit: The Santa Monica Pier Corporation.
Santa Monica's Pier 360 Beach Festival returns June 28-29 for two days of competition, entertainment and beach culture celebration along the iconic shoreline. The free, all-ages event brings together thousands for ocean sports, skateboarding, live music and activities celebrating 90 years of paddleboard racing history.
Festival action begins at 8 a.m. on the sand Saturday and Sunday, with pier deck activities starting at 10 a.m. The event showcases Southern California beach culture through various competitions and entertainment.
Main attractions include paddleboard races on June 29, celebrating nine decades of the sport with One-Mile Short Course ($30), Mike Vaughan Memorial 5-Mile Distance Race ($40) and Sprint Racing ($40) events open to all skill levels. Ocean swims feature 500-meter and one-mile open water events with wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions, beginning with check-in at 7:30 a.m. and a Hawaiian blessing.
CBVA Beach Volleyball Tournaments run both days with men's and women's open competition for a $4,000 prize pool, plus Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame Legends Exhibition. The Santa Monica Classic strongman contest features over 80 male and female athletes across multiple weight classes.
Additional competitions include AAU Invitational with top girls teams on June 29, lifeguard competitions June 28 featuring the Pete Peterson Surfboat 1-Mile Dory Race, and skate experiences both days with demos and competitions on custom ramps.
Family activities include the POP SK8 Roller Rink on the pier deck from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with skates available on-site. The Youth Zone operates from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days with arts, crafts and games for children accompanied by adults.
The Museum of Beach Life offers free exhibits exploring surf, Muscle Beach and paddleboard racing history. Entertainment includes daily Polynesian performances and live music, while the Ocean Brews & Bites Garden features Michelob Ultra beverages.
"Pier 360 is more than a festival; it's a tribute to the unique culture that was born right here on the Santa Monica Pier," said Jim Harris, executive director and historian of Santa Monica Pier.
The festival is produced by Santa Monica Pier Corporation with sponsors including Adidas, Best Day Brewing, Celsius, Costco and Toyota.
Registration and event details are available at santamonicapier.org/pier-360-festivities. The pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A.
Edited by SMDP Staff