You really can't get any closer to the Pacific Ocean than the sparkly Santa Monica Pier, and there's no better place to enjoy this year round sunny carnival than Rusty's Surf Ranch. Right in the thick of things on the Pier, this restaurant and bar makes for an excellent place to take shelter from the sun's rays while enjoying some icy cold beer and some crispy French fries. Surrounded by surf decor, you'll feel right at home just off the beach.
Though many bars may be near the Santa Monica Pier, only an elite few can claim that they actually sit atop the famous boardwalk. Rusty's Surf Ranch does justice to its more than stellar location by hosting a bevy of sun kissed surfers and beach enthusiasts inside its wooden walls every night. Each day people eating their melting ice cream cones and gazing out at the crashing waves on one of the pier's benches will also likely notice the droves of people parading in and out of Rusty's. Since the Santa Monica Pier itself is always home to a healthy mix of tourists walking through the pier's neon arch for the first time and locals making a beeline for their preferred fishing spot, it's no wonder that Rusty's also boasts a cocktail of travelers and regional patrons (all in their flip flop finest). Overflowing with Southern California style, Rusty's lets the West Coast surf culture wash over everything it does. With tons of surfboards tied to the ceiling, hanging over weathered wooden tables, this place is SoCal at its best. There are even signed surfer movies lovingly hung up on the walls, which gives Rusty's, an otherwise totally relaxed joint, just a whiff of that famous L.A. flare. Their menu has all the delightfully greasy classics you'd want out of a beachside spot, and they've got enough cold beer on tap to please anyone who wants to shelter themselves from the sun for a little while. What's even better, is that Rusty's stays hopping even after the sun goes down. With live bands and killer drinks, Rusty's is the beach bar that can take you from day to night without any problems.