Santa Monica Pier to celebrate 115th anniversary

A beloved symbol of the Los Angeles area is marking a major milestone this week.

On Friday, the Santa Monica Pier will celebrate 115 years as one of Southern California’s most recognizable landmarks with live entertainment and family activities planned throughout the day.

The Santa Monica Pier officially opened to the public on Sept. 9, 1909, and “quickly evolved into a popular fishing and boating destination,” according to Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.

Seven years later, the pier began the first steps of its evolution into the tourism and entertainment beacon it is today.

Charles Looff, an amusement park developer known for his work at Coney Island in New York, oversaw the addition of a second pier which featured a billiards and bowling hall, a ballroom, and the iconic carousel that remains to this day. The 44 hand-carved horses currently reside in the Looff Hippodrome, named for the innovative craftsman who brought the vision to life.

Decades later, more amusement park rides began to open on the Santa Monica Pier, and in 1940, its famous neon welcome sign was constructed.

But it wasn’t always blue skies and sunny days for the pier, as it faced possible closures throughout the years that followed.

Eventually, the Santa Monica Pier and the Looff Hippodrome building were designated U.S. National Historic Landmarks thanks to a campaign to “Save the Pier.”

In 1996, Pacific Park opened, welcoming locals and tourists with thrill rides and midway games, and the world famous Pacific Wheel. The Ferris wheel later became the first solar-powered theme park ride of its kind.

The Santa Monica Pier has seen many changes over the years, with businesses coming and going and renovations to the structure itself and surrounding area, but it has withstood the test of time and remains synonymous with L.A. and Southern California beach culture.

This week, Angelenos and Santa Monica visitors are encouraged to celebrate the pier’s enduring history with a jam-packed schedule of events, including live musical performances, “birthday” treats and a free outdoor screening of “Barbie,” among other family- and community-focused events.

For more information on the Santa Monica Pier anniversary celebration, click here.