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The fog is significant. Unlike our clear, blue-sky day, at Channel Island’s National Park. The weather at Santa Monica Pier, California, is a moody teenager.
Initially, I’m disappointed. How can I get the perfect picture of the Santa Monica Pier, Ferris Wheel, through this soupy veil? The more we walk the pier, however, the more excellent the views. The fog is not good or bad. It’s just different. Pressing forward, we’re committed to do all of the things we wanted to do at Santa Monica Pier. Yearning to become a miniscule part of this famed, pier’s, history.
Route 66 Sign
Riding along Route 66, is a future, travel goal, but since we are at the drive’s ending point, sign, a picture is in order. In the morning, there’s a moderate line, but later in the afternoon, there is no line at all.
Fishing Pier
The fog twists around the bodies. Some on the pier are actually fishing, others, like us, are here for the views.
The melancholy does not deter beachgoers.
Entertainment
There are a variety of buskers and street performers, along Santa Monica Pier. We stop and join a crowd, watching a dancer/acrobat.
He’s a talented, energetic, performer.
Pacific Park
There are two must-do-rides at Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park. In the morning the amusement park is blissfully uncrowded, but by noon, it is packed with riders.
West Coaster
The bright yellow, steel coaster, weaves through the wooden expanse. We board the car-themed, train, with a large group of friends.
The coaster’s thrill is mild, but the group of friends yell, like we’re on the scariest roller coaster in California. I can’t help but, yelp out a “whooooo,” to join in the frivolity. Once back to the station, the staff asks,
“Do you want to go again?” The entire coaster train cheers. We are climbing up the lift hill again.
Overall, the coaster is a fun time. The thrill level is similar to a kiddie coaster. It reminded me of a better version, of the Pepsi Streak Coaster, at Nickelodeon Universe in Mall of America.
Pacific Wheel
The eye-anchor of Santa Monica Pier, the solar-powered, Ferris Wheel, grants riders, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
It’s considered one of the most famous wheels in the world. Used frequently in movie and television scenes. It’s a comfortable, cheerful ride.
The views are beautiful.
Only a few days after our visit, a man climbed the Ferris Wheel, claiming to have a bomb. Santa Monica Pier was evacuated. He did not have a bomb, and was eventually arrested.
Although we didn’t ride it, Pacific Park has the best themed, Tilt-a-Whirl, I’ve encountered so far.
Venice Beach
I’m watching the Barbie movie. I recognize the landscape in the rollerblading beach scene.
“I was there, I was there!” I’m alone in my living room, but at least the cats might be impressed.
If you plan a visit to Santa Monica Pier, you must stroll the Venice Beach Boardwalk. If you are a pop-culture fan like me, you’ll feel giddy, knowing it has been featured in a myriad of movies and television shows.
Venice Beach is exactly how it is depicted in film and tv. Barbie is probably the most inaccurate depiction. Numerous skateboarders, bikers, and rollerbladers, zoom by, in all manner of fashion. The locals don’t give them a second glance.
A permanent grin is on my face.
“This is bonkers. I love it,” I whisper to Shannon.
It’s some of the best people watching anywhere.
The zoomers rush by in a blur, so I can’t capture pictures, except for my favorite person/dog combo of the day.
Looff Hippodrome
Because I love a story, I’m drawn to amusement parks and rides that have a tale to tell.
The Santa Monica Pier, Carousel, is housed in the historic, Looff Hippodrome, building. Built in 1916, it is the oldest, building, still standing, on the Santa Monica Pier.
Charles Looff was one of the most talented wood carvers and builders of carousels. Mr. Loof, along with his son, built Santa Monica Pier, and placed one of their own carousels inside the Hippodrome. The Loof carousel, was replaced in 1947, by a carousel, handcrafted in 1922, by the famous, Philadelphia Toboggan Company.
The deteriorating carousel, was lovingly restored, in 1990.
The carousel has a separate ticket booth, and is not included, with your Pacific Park wristband or tickets.
Carousel design, is an underrated art.
Even if you don’t ride the historic carousel, it’s worth stepping into the architecturally, impressive, Hippodrome. The stained glass windows, are pretty.
The Looff Hippodrome is a National Historic Landmark.
In the 1970s, the city acquired Santa Monica Pier. Their plan, demolish the pier, to make way for a fancy, new, resort. Locals quickly formed the, Save Santa Monica Bay, group, and fought to rescue the historic site. Scenes from the Paul Newman, Robert Redford, movie, The Sting, were shot at Santa Monica Pier, and caused more people, to hop onboard the save-the-pier cause. Repairs began, but in the 1980s, Mother Nature halted the progress, by unleashing, destructive storms. Still, the pier restoration, persisted, until it once again became a place for people to enjoy.
It’s hard to imagine visitors lining up for a resort buffet, instead of a quick pic with the Route 66 sign. Hearing screams from a resort pool, instead of the roller coaster. Having massive buildings mark the skyline, instead of the Ferris Wheel. Santa Monica Pier is an excellent example that sometimes, history is worth saving.
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Ivan
atI like that view from the Ferris wheel. The fog gives an impression of a trip over the clouds!
Roxie Yonkey
atThis was already on my bucket list as the western end of Route 66. Now I really must go.