Private Rickshaw Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach

A one-hour ride through two beaches, a pier, and the birthplace of skateboarding

A private rickshaw tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach for two passengers, guided by a local who speaks English or Spanish. You'll ride past the Santa Monica Pier, Palisades Park, and the Venice Beach Boardwalk, stopping to see Muscle Beach where Arnold Schwarzenegger trained, the skate park, and the 100-year-old Carousel at Pacific Park. Pickup is included; the tour runs one hour and suits all fitness levels, including those with limited mobility.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rickshaw tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach

• Ride through Santa Monica Pier
• Take photo under Pier sign
• Pass by birthplace of workout craze
• Explore Venice Beach Boardwalk
• Watch skateboarders at skate park
• Visit Muscle Beach gym area
• Tour Third Street Promenade and Palisades Park
• See 100-year-old Carousel at Pier
• Preview Pacific Park rides

The Experience

One hour on a rickshaw means you cover ground without walking it. The route starts at the Santa Monica Pier—you'll stop to photograph the iconic sign—then moves through Palisades Park where street performers work the Third Street Promenade. From there the ride heads south along the coast to Venice Beach, where the boardwalk opens up the history the neighborhood is built on: the birthplace of the modern workout craze in the early 20th century, the skate park where today's generation still does tricks, and Muscle Beach, where Arnold Schwarzenegger and other bodybuilders trained in the '70s and '80s.

A local guide narrates the route in English or Spanish, pointing out the details most visitors miss—the 100-year-old Carousel at Pacific Park, the local restaurants and shops worth knowing about, the layers of Venice Beach culture stacked on top of each other. Two passengers ride together in the rickshaw, which means the pace stays relaxed and the guide can answer questions as you move. The vehicle has a step and can load at the curb, making it accessible for people with limited mobility; infants can sit on an adult's lap, and small children and pets are welcome (small children may incur an additional fee).

What’s included

• Private rickshaw transportation for two passengers.
• local guide in English or Spanish.
• pickup included.
• stops at the Santa Monica Pier, Palisades Park, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, and the skate park.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Santa Monica Rickshaw Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover both Santa Monica and Venice Beach in one ride without walking between them, or if you're traveling as a pair and prefer a guide who knows the local history behind each stop. The rickshaw's accessible design and relaxed pace also work well for anyone with limited mobility or anyone who'd rather ride than walk the beaches.

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Top questions

What is Muscle Beach and why does the guide stop there?

Muscle Beach is the outdoor gym on Venice Beach where Arnold Schwarzenegger and other athletes trained in the 1970s and '80s, launching the bodybuilding craze that spread across the country. The rickshaw stops so you can see the gym still in use today and learn how this one spot shaped fitness culture.

Does the rickshaw tour go on the Santa Monica Pier itself?

The tour stops at the Santa Monica Pier so you can photograph the iconic pier sign and see the 100-year-old Carousel and Pacific Park's rides up close, but the rickshaw stays on the streets and boardwalk rather than driving onto the pier structure itself.

Can I bring my child on this rickshaw tour?

Yes, small children are welcome and can ride in the rickshaw; infants must sit on an adult's lap. Small children may incur an additional fee, so confirm the cost when you book.

What's included in the one-hour tour price?

The rickshaw tour includes private transportation for two passengers, a local guide speaking English or Spanish, and pickup; you pay one price and ride the full route without extra charges for the stops or the guide's commentary.