Wake Up With the Waves is returning to the Santa Monica Pier on May 18th! This annual event put on by the Santa Monica Pier Corporation is an interactive story time with the Story Pirates. It’s a fun, free experience for families and a great way to spend a Saturday morning at the Pier together. You can enjoy the free event from 9-11am on May 18th, 25th, and June 1st in the historical Carousel Park. Carousel Park, located behind the building that houses the Pier’s carousel, has welcomed locals and tourists to the Pier and provided access from Ocean Front Walk to the Pier. Built in 1986 with seating and a playground, Carousel Park was a big part of re-launching tourism to the Santa Monica Pier during its redesign in the 80’s and has helped make the Pier the cultural icon it is today. You can visit the Pier’s historical landmark so your family can enjoy a memorable morning with the Story Pirates, who will be a part of Wake Up With the Waves for the first time this year.

About the Story Pirates

The Story Pirates are a touring group that lets kids be a part of the storytelling through interactive play, music and dance. They are advocates for arts education and work with their partner non-profit, Story Pirates Changemakers, to provide literacy and creative writing programs in New York and Los Angeles. What better way to start your day at the Santa Monica Pier than with some swashbuckling tales?

Enjoy Breakfast at Pacific Park

Make it a whole family day at the Pier by heading to Pacific Park’s food court for breakfast. Courtesy of Pacific Park, each Wake Up With the Wave participant will receive $2 off an order of decadent buttermilk pancakes served at Beach Burger in Pacific Park (limit one coupon per person). The hearty serving of buttermilk pancakes comes with butter and maple syrup, and you can add on a side of bacon and orange juice.

After you enjoy a pancake breakfast at Beach Burger, continue the fun by visiting Pacific Park to enjoy a day of games and rides. Stop by the one of the ticket booths in the Park to get wristbands for unlimited rides, including the iconic Pacific Wheel, where you can make memories together while taking in the sweeping ocean views. If you’re going to be visiting Pacific Park with younger kids after Wake Up With the Waves, you can use this guide to ride height requirements and see all the offerings for younger kids at Pacific Park.

The Santa Monica Pier Corporation

Wake Up With the Waves is being put together by the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, which is a non-profit chartered by the City of Santa Monica to help put together events, marketing, and fundraising for the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Wake Up with the Waves is one of the events organized by their efforts. You can learn more about their other projects and outreach by visiting their site. Be sure to come by and enjoy the free annual Wake Up With the Waves event May 18, 25th, and June 1st for a family fun day at Santa Monica Pier.

Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Day at Santa Monica Pier:

When: Wake Up With the Waves is 9-11am on Saturday May 18th, 25th, and June 1st.

Where: Carousel Park, behind the building that houses the Santa Monica Pier Carousel.

Cost: Wake Up With the Waves is free!

Where to Park: You can park in the lot on the Pier to be near Carousel Park and Pacific Park to enjoy breakfast afterward! You can find other parking options and prices nearby here.

Where to Have Breakfast: Wake Up With the Waves participants will receive $2 off the pancake breakfast at Beach Burger, located at Pacific Park’s food court. Breakfast is served 9-11am at Beach Burger.

Pacific Park Hours for Wake Up With the Waves dates: May 18th 11am-12am, May 25th 10am-12:30am, June 1st 1pm-12:30am

Cover image courtesy of @kimberlyrambish.