The only west coast, oceanfront, steel roller coaster located on a pier over the pacific coastline. Its dominated by pacific park amusement park with arcades, carnival games, a ferris wheel and roller coaster. Stay connected for our latest news and events happening on the pier. Pacific park santa monica, california, united states. Santa monica office of pier management pier map and. Ive been living walking distance from the santa monica pier for years and figured i had done everything there was to do on it eaten. A new exhibit at the santa monica history museum is centered around a oneofakind prospectus from 1917 by charles looff, the architect behind the santa monica pier. The santa monica pier was constructed 1908 to 1909. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun youd expect from one of southern californias leading. Over the years it was the site of fabulous parties, nasty scandals, and a murder. The santa monica pier is open year round and admission to the pier is always free. Looff provided santa monica s north beach with its first successful amusements, including the blue streak racer roller coaster. However, the 1930s brought change when the santa monica pier was confronted with severe weather patterns and new entertainment trends. Condon and his two sons, blake and his 8yearold, zachary, came to the pier sunday for the third annual fathers day fishing derby, put on by santa monica pier bait and tackle.
Its dramatic story of survival fighting mother nature, politics and changing times makes santa monica pier more than a landmark, more than a pleasure pier or a must see on the west coast. If you have any videos of you riding any rollercoaster anywhere in. With the booming bythesea population of the early 20th century in idyllic santa monica where many a. An illustated book about amusement park rides and roller coasters.
Pacific park at santa monica pier santa monica amusement. About 40 people showed up for the daylong event that gave prizes for the biggest fish. Home events calendar holiday cheer on the pier month of love pier 360 roga twilight wake up with the waves food fun visit history rentals. The rise and spectacular fall of venice beachs pacific ocean park. The brightly lit wheel can be seen from a distance and has been turned off during the earth hour observance other attractions. General information public elevator located alongside bubba gump shrimp co. Although the beginning idea of the original municipal pier was not the prettiest, it was soon to become the first concrete pier in the early 1900s. A new exhibit at the santa monica history museum is centered around a. Dubbed the looff pleasure pier, it boasted a carousel, roller coaster, bowling and billiards building, a fun house, and a new picnic pavilion.
The history of the santa monica pier coaster kings. Looff provided santa monicas north beach with its first successful amusements, including the blue streak racer roller coaster. Many thanks to the wonderful work of james harris, whose book santa monica pier. After it closed and fell into disrepair, the park and pier anchored the dogtown area of santa monica history. It is just great book introduce lost themepark in santa monica cal. With its authentic handcrafted merrygoround carousel, its spectacular ferris wheel or its rollercoaster, you will not want to miss the opportunity to take a step back into history and enjoy yourself as thousands have for decades before you. In may, pacific park will host jim, stella, and book illustrator michael baily at the park for the book s official release. Santa monica office of pier management pier history. You may even be a clever clogs who knows the gem of an aquarium tucked underneath it all.
After opening day, the pier continued to be a success, drawing huge. The enormous hotel arcadia, built on a low seaside bluff in the 1880s, was santa monicas first grand hotel. Find it all and much more with the interactive roller coaster database. The new owners soon replaced the blue streak coaster with the larger whirlwind dipper roller coaster. The santa monica pier was opened to the public on september 9th 1909 and has been attracting throngs of visitors ever since. The pier contains pacific park, a family amusement park with its solar panelled ferris wheel.
West coaster pacific park amusement park on the santa. Thousands of people attended and enjoyed a day of bands playing, swimming races and the novelty of walking the 1600 foot wooden pier. Event planning and information to book an event on the santa monica pier please contact 310 4588901 or visit firstaid and minor incidents harbor guard 310 4588695, police substation 310 4588450 for emergencies, please contact smpd. The santa monica municipal pier opened to the public on september 9, 1909 after 16 months of construction. Its the west coasts only amusement park located on a pier.
How piers became part of southern california beach culture. Santa monica pier is a slice of american history to be enjoyed again and again and again. In many ways, it was the heart of the city, said harris, whose book santa monica pier. The story becomes a riveting account of the political, cultural and urban renewal. With california craftsmanstyle interiors and a distinct southern california atmosphere, our santa monica hotel is primely located in midcity, a residential neighborhood with great arts, culture, restaurants and shops, mere minutes from the areas bestknown attractions, including the santa monica pier and bergamot station. The roller coaster santa monica highquality nature. Whirlwind dipper 19241930 type wooden twister location santa monica pier. On september 9th, the santa monica pier celebrated its centennial. The pier was born out of practical purposes, really. His 1917 prospectus book was a way to advertise stock in his santa monica pleasure pier company. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views and fishing. Jeffrey stantons history book, venice california coney island of the pacific. In 1924, the looff family sold their pier to the santa monica amusement company and shifted their attention to the amusement zone at santa cruz. Lick pier, jutting some 900 feet into the bay between the santa monica pier to the north.
There are a total of twelve rides in pacific park, including the world. The pacific park amusement park as we know it today opened in 1996. Historical photographs santa monica history museumsanta. Santa monica pier page 5 of 8 pier fishing in california. Where to bring kids in santa monica the ambrose hotel. Pacific park is the west coasts only family amusement park located on an oceanfront pier, the world famous santa monica pier, the park has twelve rides for the entire family including the hard to miss pacific wheel, the worlds first solar powered ferris wheel, west coaster, a steel roller coaster offering thrills for the entire family and a childrens ride area with six rides for youngsters. A century of the last great pleasure pier angel city press, 2009 details the structures history.
New exhibit traces history of santa monica pier santa. It was a top local attraction until 1919 when the pier collapsed. Ocean sprays breeze by riders as they escalate to a height of 55 feet. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun youd expect from one of southern californias leading entertainment. The 1,600 foot long pier was very innovative for the time, as it was the first on the west coast to make use and be of the new technology at the time, concrete. New exhibit traces history of santa monica pier santa monica daily. The santa monica municipal pier opened on september 9th, 1909, after a 16 month construction process.
I loved this park, which uncle don took me to in 1962 when i was 10 years old. The pier is home to restaurants and attractions for all ages, including pacific park. The santa monica pier is a large doublejointed pier at the foot of colorado avenue in santa monica, california, united states. A roller coaster, the hippodrome greek for horse racecourse carousel, games. I ride in the front seat of the santa monica pier roller coaster in santa monica, california. Pacific park is an oceanfront amusement park located in santa monica, california. It is the only amusement park on the west coast of the united states located on a pier and las only admissionfree park.
The coaster provides spectacular views of the santa monica bay and the pacific ocean as it trails from one end of the park to the other at 35 mph. Featuring 12 thrilling rides, including the west coaster and pacific wheel, the first solarpowered ferris wheel. West coaster begins with a helix followed by a gentle first drop, a quick bunny hop and concludes with one final helix before returning to the station. The two santa monica piers were eventually merged into one big pleasure pier complete with a roller coaster, ferris wheel, carousel, soda fountain and trapeze school of today. Located between modernday ocean park boulevard in santa monica and rose avenue in venice, the 28acre p. The complete guide to the santa monica pier and amusement. Pacific ocean park was a twentyeight acre 110,000 m. We had a blast riding roller coaster rides at santa monica pier. We played at the santa monica pier and got to ride all the rides and ferris wheel. Licks new pier was basically the same layout as his old pier.
In the popular book series the dark artifices by cassandra clare, the fictional. You know the roller coaster and the ferris wheel and the historic carousel. West coaster at pacific park is a family steel coaster that rises to a height of 55 feet and races at speeds of up to 35 mph along the world famous santa monica pier. Stella rose and the sea dragon pacific park amusement park. Once the very end of the legendary route 66 and still the object of a tourist love affair, this muchphotographed pier dates back to 1908 and is the citys most compelling landmark. Santa monica west coaster pacific park santa monica, california, united. Rollercoaster lovers know that six flags magic mountain in valencia is one of the worlds best amusement parks, boasting more hairraising rides than any other on the planet.
Pacific park santa monica, california roller coasters. The hippodrome housed the piers carousel, and the building still stands today with the distinction of being santa monicas first national historic landmark. As a familyoriented attraction in the 50s with moderniststyled rides. On the new west coaster cars that mimic classic automobiles from route 66s heyday will zip past vintage billboards that highlight attractions along the 2,200mile highway, including the chicago theatre sign, the st.
Its hard to decide just where to start so why not begin on a high note literally with a ride on the west coaster, a classic santa monica roller coaster which escalates to a height of 55 feet above the santa monica bay and pacific ocean. The roller coasters loading station will feature themed. In fact, the hippodrome building that houses the old fshioned carousel at the pier was named santa monicas first national historic landmark. Louis gateway arch, a saguaro cactus and the santa monica pier arch. Perfect for private parties or an impromptu ride, this historic icon pairs perfectly with treats from the vintage sodafountain located inside. A pair of excited boys join pacific ocean park staff in a sky ride car, santa monica, p. But like the pacifics waters, the history of the pier reveals some. Life and landmarks in santa monica, 2000 2001 traveling exhibition at santa monica city hall, santa monica public library, lobby of santa monicaucla hospital, first federal bank, us bank. Santa monica pier page 6 of 8 pier fishing in california. For fun in the sun, afterdark thrills, perfect selfie spots, fascinating people watching, fresh seafood, and even educational entertainment, you cant beat the santa monica pier. Lick needed a new coaster for the summer so he contracted prior and church to rebuild their famous giant dipper coaster on the site formally occupied by. On the park edge lies the well known santa monica pier.
Santa monica west coaster pacific park santa monica, california, united states operating since 5251996. History for most of its 110 years, the pier has attracted locals and tourists alike with the promise of endless entertainment options. Pacific park 380 santa monica pier santa monica, california, united states. The park, located on the santa monica pier, looks directly out on the pacific ocean, in the direction of catalina island. A century on the last of the pleasure pier, the definitive book chronicling the colorful history of. The santa monica pier is an iconic landmark open 365 days a year. A history with photos of santa monica, californias amusement pier. The roller coaster at the amusement park on the santa monica pier in santa monica, california. The santa monica west coaster has a 5 car train, but at least during 20, operated. Stella rose and the sea dragon is an allegorical tale about the journey a young person takes when graduating from a small, fun family ride to one of the larger thrill rides at the piers famous amusement park. The hippodrome housed the pier s carousel, and the building still stands today with the distinction of being santa monica s first national historic landmark. Bet you think you know the santa monica pier, right. The above video of santa monicas ocean park pier was shot in 1954, before the attraction was renamed and reopened as pacific ocean park p.