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# Pier-beach shuttle begins this Friday
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/pier-beach-shuttle-begins-this-friday/
- Published: 2002-05-20T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:17:29.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Environment, Pier, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

The Santa Monica Pier-Beach shuttle will fire up May 24 for the summer. The shuttle will operate its free beach run in a 10-minute loop between Lot 4 South at 2030 Barnard Way to the pier on the weekends through Labor Day. Fees for parking at Lot 4 are $6 a day and $3 after 6 p.m.

Shuttle hours are Fridays, 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 9 p.m. On Thursdays, June 27 through Aug. 29, and Wednesday, July 3, the 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. schedule will accommodate the parking for the Pier Twilight Dance Series.

“Over the years, the pier/beach shuttle has become well-known as the kick-off of Santa Monica’s many summertime beach services,” said Elaine Polachek, the city open space manager. “It’s the easiest way to the beach.”

To get to Lot 4 and the shuttle, follow the street signs in downtown Santa Monica or take the Fourth Street exit off the I-10 freeway. Signs direct drivers southbound to Pico Boulevard and west to Lot 4 South.

More than 20,000 people take advantage of the city-sponsored service every year.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 20, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052002.pdf?ref=smdp.com)