SANTA MONICA PIER

Description

Essentials about Santa Monica Pier in brief

Under no circumstances should a trip to Los Angeles end without a visit to Santa Monica Pier. Starting at Colorado Avenue and stretching across Santa Monica State Beach into the Pacific Ocean, the pier is one of the city’s must-see attractions, offering something for just about everyone: Toddlers can ride a merry-go-round on the pier, older kids can have fun on the roller coaster, view lovers can take a spin on a Ferris wheel, anglers can cast their lines, fish fans can visit an aquarium, gourmets can enjoy a delicious meal, romantics can enjoy the sunset over the Pacific Ocean, and motorists and bikers can take a photo at the famous terminus of the legendary Route 66.

The history of Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier consists of two piers joined together, which for a long time belonged to two different owners. The long and narrow Municipal Pier was opened as early as 1909, mainly for the purpose of running sewage pipes behind the surf. The short but wider Pleasure Pier (also called Newcomb Pier) at the south end was built in 1916 by Charles Looff and his son Arthur Looff, both pioneers in the construction of amusement parks. Father and son Looff built several attractions on Pleasure Pier, some of which are still in operation today. At the time of the Great Depression, the amusement park on Pleasure Pier failed economically and was henceforth used primarily as a ferry landing.

Fortunately, Pleasure Pier survived various demolition plans in the 1960s. The most unusual plan called for the construction of an artificial island for a huge hotel. However, it was shelved after massive opposition from a citizens’ group. In 1974, the pier was finally purchased by the city and the amusement park was restored.

Due to its proximity to Hollywood’s film studios and its popularity among the population, numerous television and cinema productions have been filmed on Santa Monica Pier since the 1930s, including world hits such as The Sting and Forrest Gump.

The attractions on Santa Monica Pier

The main attraction on Santa Monica Pier today is the Pacific Rim Amusement Park, which is especially recommended for families with younger children. The park includes a historic carousel from 1922, a not very scary roller coaster, a solar-powered Ferris wheel from which you have a great view of the Pacific Ocean and West Los Angeles, as well as various stores, junk stores, bars and restaurants.

Santa Monica Pier is also an extremely popular spot among anglers for their catches. Day after day, fishermen gather at the far end of the pier to cast their lines. By the way, if you want to learn more about the marine life of the Pacific, you should visit the Heal the Bay Aquarium, where you can marvel at about one hundred species of fish and other marine animals.

Especially in the evening, Santa Monica Pier is a popular location among Angelenos and tourists alike, because then you can witness a beautiful spectacle on the pier: The sunset. The sinking of the red sunball into the Pacific Ocean is a fantastically beautiful natural spectacle every day.