![]() The pleasure pier was purchased in 1943 by Venice banker Walter Newcomb, and in 1947 he relocated a carousel from the Venice Pier to the Santa Monica Pier to replace the Looff Carousel. By WWII the Santa Monica Pier had became an important commercial fishing port to feed the troops. The iconic Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign was installed in 1940, to commemorate the new ramp at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier. This larger than life figure regaled kids with fabulous tales of his travels, and eventually caught the attention of local cartoonist Elzie. ![]() Olsen provided 10% of his catch to poor families during the Depression, and was also instrumental in preventing commercial net fishing off the coastline. He'd retired from the US Navy and ran fishing charters off the Santa Monica Pier. The LaMonica Ballroom was utilized at different times as a jail, convention center, and lifeguard headquarters.Ī local sailor named Olaf Olsen also became the inspiration for the world famous Popeye cartoon during these Depression years. The massive building had a dozen minarets that were illuminated at night, and it was designed to look like a Moorish palace.ĭuring the 1930s Depression, the golden age of seaside amusement parks was over, and the rollercoaster and rides were closed or demolished. This ushered in a glamorous new era of big bands and dances, and was the biggest dance venue in the West that could accommodate 5,000 people. They replaced the rollercoaster with a faster one known as the Whirlwind Dipper, however their crowning achievement was the construction of the 15,000 square foot LaMonica Ballroom. Looff's new amusement park grew to include a wooden roller coaster named the Blue Streak Racer, an Aeroscope Ride, Bowling and Billiards Room, and fun house.Ĭharles Looff died in 1918, and his son sold the pleasure pier to the Santa Monica Amusement Company in 1924. The first attraction was an ornate carousel housed within the Looff Hippodrome, designed in a flamboyant moorish-byzantine style. In 1916 entrepreneur and renowned carousel maker Charles Looff constructed the Looff Pleasure Pier on the south side of the city's municipal pier. In 1909 the 1,600-foot municipal pier was constructed to deposit treated sewage in the ocean. This practice ended shortly thereafter, and the pier became popular for fishing. The Santa Monica Pier had humble beginnings. Learn about the fascinating history of the Santa Monica Pier. The pier's iconic ferris wheel is visible from miles away, and is an enchanting place to visit at night when illuminated by 174,000 LED lights. It's also one of the most instagrammed placed in LA. Visit the fun Pacific Park amusement park, with a rollercoaster and ferris wheel. It was relocated to Santa Monica Pier in 1947, and has 44 horses, 2 sleighs, a rabbit and goat. The carousel was constructed in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for the Venice Pier. The beautiful Looff Hippodrome has survived storms and demolition attempts, but is miraculously still standing. Ride the historic carousel housed inside the Looff Hippodrome, the oldest building on the pier. ![]() ![]() The shorter section on the south side was added in 1916 as an entertainment pier.ġ0 best things to do at Santa Monica Pierġ. The first section was constructed in 1909 as a municipal pier for fisherman, and at 1,600 feet is the longest section of the Santa Monica Pier. There are two parts to the Santa Monica Pier, built seven years apart. You can also walk five minutes from downtown Santa Monica, to the Santa Monica Pier. Paid parking is available at the Santa Monica Pier parking lot, accessible off Ocean Avenue. This historic pier bustles with activity, and has an amusement park, video arcade, carousel, aquarium and restaurants.Īccess to the pier is free, but tickets are required for the Pacific Park amusement park, ferris wheel, carousel, and aquarium. Santa Monica Pier is one of LA's top attractions.
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