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. Santa monica west coaster pacific park santa monica. Santa monica history museumarthur carrillo calkins. About pacific park on the santa monica pier pacific park on the santa monica pier, las only admission free amusement park, offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, an oceanfront food plaza and beachside retail shops. Its slow enough around the first bend to get a photo on your phone of santa monica. On the park edge lies the well known santa monica pier. This amusement park is packed with rides, games, food and all kinds of family fun. Eventually, there were five piers in santa monica alone, with several more down the coast, most notably abbott kinneys venice of america pier. Stay connected for our latest news and events happening on the pier. The park was giving double rides this particular day. Stella rose and the sea dragon pacific park amusement. The history of santa monica, california, covers the significant events and movements in santa monica s past. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund.
The history of the santa monica pier coaster kings. However expansion was put on hold when a huge storm on february 1, 1926 nearly demolished the pier. The history of the santa monica pier here at california coaster kings, we tend to lean more towards the coverage of the larger amusement and theme parks in our home state, focusing on the here and now of the major players in the amusement industry. Apr 30, 2010 the following is on ride video of west roller coaster at pacific park on the santa monica pier. The aquarium contains more than 100 species of marine animals and plants which are found in the santa monica bay. In fact, the hippodrome building that houses the old fshioned carousel at the pier was named santa monica s first national historic landmark. The complete guide to the santa monica pier and amusement. It carried ten people, cost five cents, and traversed the old railroad gorge. Things to do in santa monica, ca comfort inn santa monica. Designed to look like the sea serpent roller coaster from the now closed pacific ocean park that operated back in the late 1950s, the sea dragon on the santa monica pier brings a new generation of thrill seekers. The santa monica west coaster also known as the west coaster is a steel roller coaster located in pacific park on the santa monica pier in santa monica, california. I think it is very exciting and i hope it is an inspiration to other people, said stella. Santa monica pier santa monica, ca amusement parks mapquest.
Rides pacific park amusement park on the santa monica. Clip begins on a stretch of venice beach between 17th street and north venice blvd. As the small beach town of santa monica grew, as did its sewage, yes, you read right, sewage. Aug 11, 2015 whats the best way to spend a day at pacific park. Not to be confused with pacific ocean park, a former amusement park a few miles south which operated from 1958 to 1967 and has. I learned that some store owners had no idea of what they had, recalls marquez. The hidden gem of the pier, heal the bays public marineeducation center is handson fun tucked just underneath the historic carousel. Whirlwind dipper 19241930 type wooden twister location santa monica pier. Parking at the santa monica pier the pier is located in the heart of santa monica, and parking and traffic can be a hassle at almost any hour. Pacific park coaster to sport a route 66 redesign nbc. His 1917 prospectus book was a way to advertise stock in his santa monica pleasure pier company. Theres something for everyone on the santa monica pier.
To celebrate its centennial, historian jeffrey stanton has published a new and enlarged hardback edition of his photographic history book about southern californias fabulous amusement resort that thrilled millions during the first half of the 20th century. 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. 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. The looff carousel and the era of seaside amusement over 90 years of exposure to sea salt and smog seems to have settled a permanent coat of sticky dust over the santa monica hippodromes walls. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views. The only west coast, oceanfront, steel roller coaster located on a pier over the pacific coastline. Aerial of pier, city street scene and hollywood boulevard. May, 2019 stella rose and the sea dragon is illustrated by michael baily, designed by amy woo and published by resonant books, llc. The hippodrome housed the piers carousel, and the building still stands today with the distinction of being santa monicas first national historic landmark. Home events calendar holiday cheer on the pier month of love pier 360 roga twilight wake up with the waves food fun visit history. The santa monica pier aquarium is a public marine education center located the next level below the carousel on the pier. New exhibit traces history of santa monica pier santa monica daily. Santa monica west coaster front seat on ride pov pacific park. Exploring the historic santa monica pier atomic redhead.
The park, located on the santa monica pier, looks directly out on the pacific ocean, in the direction of catalina island. 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. What i can say that for 3 dollars you get to ride the roller coaster twice. Additional parking is available at beach lots, downtown santa monica lots and at nearby hotels. Jul 27, 2018 for over 100 years the santa monica pier has been an icon of the beach city, and it has quite the colorful history. It is the only amusement park on the west coast of the united states located on a pier. The santa monica pier was constructed 1908 to 1909. Santa monica pier by william reagh santa monica pier, my childhood merrygoround. Wooden piers turned out to be readily flammable, but even. A roller coaster, the hippodrome greek for horse racecourse carousel. A classic pleasure pier with a certain je ne sais quoi, it attracts crowds of visitors from all over the. Once upon a time in santa monica the argonaut newsweekly. Signature rides include the pacific wheel, the worlds first solarpowered ferris wheel. Santa monica west coaster front seat on ride pov pacific.
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. The 2018 pacific park world taco eating championship major. Pacific park santa monica, california, united states. You know the roller coaster and the ferris wheel and the historic carousel. Take a front seat ride on the west coaster on pacific parks west coaster in california. 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. Competing pier owners commissioned ever larger roller coaster rides. Competing pier owners commissioned everlarger roller coaster rides. Of course i stopped on the way to visit griffith park, which was awesome, and later during the day got to actually see the hollywood sign on the drive sunday to the pier. Early views of santa monica water and power associates. Pacific park is an oceanfront amusement park located in santa monica, california. The santa monica pier is one of americas most well known seaside attractions and bears a long history to tell its story. It also fueled a career as a local historian and author of several books, including a history of santa monica and a history of the long wharf that formed a major port near what is now will rogers state beach. Drawing of a pier in santa monica in the 1800s the first iteration of the santa monica pier looked much different than its current much more iconic form.
Bet you think you know the santa monica pier, right. Girl overcomes fear of ride in santa monica by writing book. The santa monica pier was opened to the public on september 9th 1909 and has been attracting throngs of visitors ever since. Ocean sprays breeze by riders as they escalate to a height of 55 feet. On september 9th, the santa monica pier celebrated its centennial. The landmark santa monica pier debuted on september 9, 1909, and pacific park opened on may 26, 1996, becoming the first amusement park on the pier since 1930. There is a parking lot on the santa monica pier deck as well as one directly north of the pier.
History sketch of santa monica and the pier, 1875 an early santa monica pier, 1877 the pier with pacific park on the left, 2006 anglers on the santa monica pier, 2009 santa monica pier at dusk, 2010 view of the pier and pacific park from the beach at night, 2012 the ferris wheel and roller coaster lights at night, 2009 view of the municipal. Looff provided santa monica s north beach with its first successful amusements, including the blue streak racer roller coaster. With its authentic handcrafted merrygoround carousel, its spectacular ferris wheel or its roller coaster, 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. Historical photographs santa monica history museumsanta. See all 109 santa monica pier tours on tripadvisor. Sunset pier seen on the right, venice pier on left. Play packages at mountasia family fun center up to 45% off.
Whats more iconic than the ferris wheel and roller coaster sitting atop santa monica pier. The coaster provides spectacular views of santa monica bay and the pacific ocean as it trails from one end of the park to the other at 35 mph. History get youtube premium get youtube tv best of youtube. Shot widens to reveal the some kick roller coaster at venice pier. Santa monica pier all you need to know before you go. Both piers combined were also known as santa monica pier. Its the west coasts only amusement park located on a pier. Enjoy some of the best dining hotels, palmlined palisades park, and the distinctive tongva park. Pacific park, located on the world famous santa monica pier, is the family place to play. Discover oceanside thrills at thesanta monica pier discover the historic charm of the santa monica pier, offering timeless entertainment and family fun at the edge of the pacific ocean.
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. The santa monica pier is open year round and admission to the pier is always free. Did you know that pacific park on the santa monica pier was recently named californias best amusement park. Stella rose and the sea dragon pacific park amusement park. Santa monica collectible california postcards for sale ebay. Santa monica west coaster front seat onride pov pacific park. A new exhibit at the santa monica history museum is centered around a. First, the book emphasizes venices amusement park industry, portraying it as the economic engine. Pacific park at santa monica pier santa monica amusement park. Wooden piers turned out to be readily flammable, but even destroyed piers were soon replaced. Santa monica pier wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Thousands of people attended and enjoyed a day of bands playing, swimming races and the novelty of walking the 1600 foot wooden pier.
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. The santa monica pier is a large doublejointed pier at the foot of colorado avenue in santa monica, california, united states. Jan 20, 2015 what i can say that for 3 dollars you get to ride the roller coaster twice. Whats more iconic than the ferris wheel and rollercoaster sitting atop santa monica pier. Jeffrey stantons history book, venice california coney island of the pacific. New exhibit traces history of santa monica pier santa. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views and fishing. Looff provided santa monicas north beach with its first successful amusements, including the blue streak racer roller coaster. Pictures of santa monica west coaster at rcdb the santa monica west coaster also known as the west coaster is a steel roller coaster located in pacific park on the santa monica pier in santa monica, california. History for most of its 110 years, the pier has attracted locals and tourists alike with the promise of endless entertainment options. The following is on ride video of west roller coaster at pacific park on the santa monica pier. As wonderful as carousel horses and cotton candy are, santa monicas pier began a little less glamorously. Santa monica pier ride the ferris wheel, play on the beach, enjoy carnival and arcade games, go shopping, and experience oceanfront dining at this historic pier overlooking the sparkling pacific.
Pacific park 380 santa monica pier santa monica, california, united states. Get the best deals on santa monica collectible california postcards when. After leaving the station, riders instantly start climbing the lift hill. As wonderful as carousel horses and cotton candy are, santa monica s pier began a little less glamorously. 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. West roller coaster at pacific park on the santa monica. The author of over thirty books, and a specialist on early santa monica, fred basten donated historical photographs that appear in his book, santa monica bay. 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. West roller coaster at pacific park on the santa monica pier. A century on the last of the pleasure pier, the definitive book chronicling the colorful history of. Theres a lot going on at the santa monica pier, so here are some tips for best times to go, how to take great pictures and where to eat. The rise and spectacular fall of venice beachs pacific ocean park. The 1909 santa monica pier is the last remaining amusement pier on the north bay.
The book goes on sale may 23 rd and can be purchase at pier gear on the santa monica pier or from the publishers website. Pacific park is located on the santa monica pier and is featured in the popular grand theft auto v. Santa monica pier a history from 18751990 stanton, jeffrey w. The santa monica pier still exists, and hosts a small park called pacific park. The santa monica municipal pier opened to the public on september 9, 1909 after 16 months of construction. Santa monica pier is a slice of american history to be enjoyed again and again and again. Its dominated by pacific park amusement park with arcades, carnival games, a ferris wheel and roller coaster. All of this is well documented in the book venice california coney island of the pacific by jeffrey stanton. Pacific park santa monica, california roller coasters. 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. What becomes apparent reading scotts book is that santa monica was never a sleepy beach town or leafy suburb, two of the fantasies people have about it, or. Pacific park coaster to sport a route 66 redesign santa monica pier s superfast attraction will sport vintagestyle cars and a fresh look, all to honor its place on the mother road.
Sep 21, 2018 however, the 1930s brought change when the santa monica pier was confronted with severe weather patterns and new entertainment trends. Morgan manufacturing, and opened on may 25, 1996 ride experience. For over 100 years the santa monica pier has been an icon of the beach city, and it has quite the colorful history. You may even be a clever clogs who knows the gem of an aquarium tucked underneath it all. Venice california coney island of the pacific history. Santa monica office of pier management pier history. We recommend booking santa monica pier tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The best things to do in santa monica is waiting just around the corner from our hotel. Santa monica, california end of route 66 legends of america. Originally built in 1909, this historic attraction overlooks the beach and features fun entertainment, shopping and dining for the whole family. 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 pacific park amusement park as we know it today opened in 1996. This thompson switchback gravity railroad, forerunner to the roller coaster, connected the town of santa monica to the hotel arcadia in the background.