Community Corner

Santa Monica Pier Seeking Volunteer Docents

Teach visitors about the history of the Santa Monica Pier, including celebrity lore surrounding icons Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin.

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica Pier Corporation is seeking volunteer docents to guide visitors through the rich history of the century-old Santa Monica Pier, according to a press release. Docents will be trained to share fascinating stories about the apartments above the Merry Go-Round, celebrity lore surrounding such icons as Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin, and the legend about a certain fishing boat captain who became immortalized as a world-famous cartoon character, the press release said.

Docents will operate out of the Pier Shop inside the historic Merry Go-Round Building and will provide information on site as well as take visitors on walking historical tours. Those interested in being docents need not be experts – training sessions will be held in mid-July, the press release said.

Docents will be required to work on their feet as well as to walk the length of the Pier two to three times per day. Docent shifts will be late morning/early afternoons on the weekend, and on weekdays during peak seasons. Expected participation is one-to-two days per month, or more if desired, the press release said.

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Interested volunteer docent candidates can contact Lara Talatinian at lara@santamonicapier.org or call (310) 458-8901.

Photo by David McNew/Getty Images

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