The following is a press release from the Pier Corporation.
The Santa Monica Pier Corporation is thrilled to announce the grand finale of its popular Wellness & Waves series with a special UCLA Health Takeover on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free community event invites guests of all ages to “Be A Kid For A Day,” with a unique mix of physical activity, play, and mental wellness activations designed to inspire joy and self-care.
Presented in collaboration with UCLA Health, the event will transform the iconic pier into an open-air celebration of wellness and fun—open to all and specially promoted to UCLA Health’s 38,000 employees and their families.
“UCLA Health is proud to bring wellness beyond our hospital walls and into the heart of the community,” said Patrese Kirsch, Director, Workforce Wellness and Community Engagement, UCLA Health. “This special event at the Santa Monica Pier invites our employees, patients, and neighbors to reconnect with movement, nature, and joy—because being healthy should feel good. We’re thrilled to work with the Santa Monica Pier to celebrate the power of play, purpose, and public space.”
Highlights of the UCLA Health Takeover:
– Run & Walk with UCLA Recreation Instructors, Mandy Muenzer and Jacinta Elijah Kick off the morning with a scenic run or walk under the Pier Arch and along the coast led by UCLA FITWELL Program’s instructors.
– Yoga with Tiffany Caronia, UCLA Recreation and Jess Ray
Enjoy a yoga flow session with guidance from UCLA Recreation and Wellness & Waves instructors.
– UCLA Health’s People Animal Connection (PAC) Therapy Animals
Meet the “PAC” – gentle, trained therapy animals from UCLA’s People Animal Connection (PAC)at the peaceful West End overlooking the ocean.
– Play All Day Perks
– Free Playland Arcade game
– Basketball contest for UCLA Health guests with sign-ups via the Playland Arcade website
– Free rides on the historic Merry Go-Round
– 20% off Pacific Park unlimited ride wristbands; two rides open early for the event at 10 a.m.
– Complimentary refreshments from the Google Store, must attend yoga session to receive.
– Special gifts and discounts from adidas, Pause Studio, and more
– UCLA Health Tents and UCLA Recreation FITWELL Wellness Lounge
Engage with wellness experts and celebrate 100 years of UCLA Health Santa Monica Medical Center alongside the Santa Monica Pier’s 116th anniversary.
“There’s no better place to reconnect with childlike joy than the Santa Monica Pier,” said Jim Harris, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation. “We’re proud to team up with UCLA Health to close out the Wellness & Waves season with a day that reminds us all that health is about more than fitness—it’s about play, laughter, connection, and care.”
This season, Wellness & Waves welcomed nearly 3,000 guests to the Santa Monica Pier for a wide range of free wellness experiences—from yoga and movement classes to health screenings and family programming. Building on this momentum, the Santa Monica Pier Corporation is proud to announce that Wellness & Waves will return in April 2026 for another 26-week run, continuing its mission to foster health, community, and coastal connection in the heart of Santa Monica.
Wellness & Waves is proudly presented in partnership with adidas Santa Monica, Google Store, Pacific Park, Lifeway Kefir, Essentia, Good Body Pilates, shefayoga Venice, and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.
Arrive by Rideshare, Metro, Bus or Bike. The Santa Monica Pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
– For more information and register for yoga, visit: santamonicapier.org/wellness-and-waves
– Register for basketball contest: http://www.playlandarcade.com
– Buy discounted wristbands at: https://tickets.pacpark.com/en/promotion/uclahealth/
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