Pacific Ocean Park
| Company type | Amusement park |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Predecessor | Ocean Park Pier (1926–1956) |
| Founded | July 28, 1958 in Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Defunct | October 6, 1967 |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica , United States |
Area served | Santa Monica, California |
| Products | Amusement park rides and attractions |
Pacific Ocean Park was a maritime-themed amusement destination constructed on a pier along Pier Avenue in the Ocean Park district of Santa Monica, California in 1958. Created to rival Disneyland, it succeeded the Ocean Park Pier (1926–1956). Following its closure and subsequent neglect, both the park and pier became incorporated into Santa Monica's Dogtown area.
History
Pacific Ocean Park emerged from a collaboration between CBS and Santa Anita Park. It officially opened its gates on July 28, 1958, drawing 20,000 guests on its inaugural day and increasing to 37,262 visitors the following day, surpassing Disneyland’s attendance figures. The entrance fee was set at 90 cents for adults, which granted access to the park and selected exhibits; additional rides required separate payments. Locally dubbed POP ("pee-oh-pee"), it was promoted under the slogan "Pay One Price."
Mirroring Disneyland’s strategy, the park secured sponsorships from various corporations to help finance its attractions. The facility featured six original pier-based rides including the Sea Serpent roller coaster, the historic Looff carousel, the Toonerville Fun House, the Glass House, and twin diving bells.
Attractions
The park offered an array of carnival-style rides and exhibits such as:
- Westinghouse Enchanted Forest/USS Nautilus Submarine Exhibit, showcasing a detailed model of an atomic submarine reactor section
- House of Tomorrow, inspired by Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and World's Fair themes, prominently displaying Elektro, the talking and smoking robot from the 1939 World's Fair
- Sea Circus, included with general admission, featuring dolphin and sea lion performances for audiences up to 2,000; visitors could also feed seals afterward
- Diving Bells, consisting of two hydraulic pistons that submerged guests underwater before dramatically resurfacing; produced by Martine
- Ocean Skyway, constructed by Von Roll, comprising bubble-shaped gondolas suspended 75 feet above water for a half-mile round trip over the ocean
- Union 76 Ocean Highway, akin to Disneyland’s Autopia, where guests drove miniature gasoline-powered vehicles on a simulated highway course
- Flight to Mars, an audiovisual experience simulating space travel to Mars
- Flying Carpet, themed on One Thousand and One Nights, with suspended "flying carpets" transporting visitors over an Arabian-themed diorama
- Mirror Maze, a traditional funhouse attraction involving mirrors
- Davy Jones' Locker, a nautical-themed funhouse experience
- Flying Dutchman, a dark ride comparable to Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean but lacking animatronics
- Deepest Deep, an above-water simulated submarine journey differing from Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage
- Round the World in 80 Turns, combining elements of travelogue and thrill ride; closed midway through its second season due to guest complaints of nausea and discomfort
- Safari Dark Ride, an interactive ride for children featuring miniature Jeeps equipped with electronic rifles to "hunt" animatronic African jungle animals
- Mystery Island Banana Train Ride, regarded as the park's premier attraction, featuring a tropical banana plantation train with effects simulating volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
- Sea Serpent Roller Coaster, a wooden Hi-Boy coaster dating back to 1926 from the original pier
- Mahi Mahi, a large Stantzel Strat-O-Liner tower with rotating arms ending in jet-style cars seating eight passengers each; six units were produced but none remain today
- Whirl Pool, a centrifuge ride that pinned riders against walls as the floor dropped beneath them
- Mr. Dolphin, an original attraction from the pier era
- Flying Fish, a miniature roller coaster designed by Carlos and Ramigosi; noted as the first steel Wild Mouse coaster in the United States
- Carousel, the vintage 1926 Looff carousel relocated from the original pier
- Fisherman's Cove and International Promenade, areas dedicated to shopping, dining, and souvenirs featuring international cuisine options
- King Neptune's Courtyard, an underwater-themed walkway leading visitors through King Neptune’s domain
- Mrs. Squid, also known as Ahuna Thrill Ride, an Eyerly Octopus ride adorned with squid motifs and comprising 16 tubs accommodating two riders each
- Mr. Octopus, a standard Eyerly Octopus ride featuring eight tubs
- Space Wheels, distinctive double Ferris wheels crafted by Velare Brothers; still extant and currently owned by Drew Exposition of Georgia
- Fun Forest, a children’s zone including mazes, slides, helicopter rides, boat rides, monorail circuits, and covered-wagon attractions
By January 5, 1959, Pacific Ocean Park had welcomed 1,190,000 visitors. Plans for four additional attractions were announced; two were completed at a cost of $2 million: Space Wheels and Fun Forest.
Film location
Pacific Ocean Park was featured as a backdrop for numerous television series, including Route 66 (TV series), The Millionaire, The Fugitive, Get Smart, The Twilight Zone, The Invaders, and The Mod Squad. Additionally, it appeared in motion pictures such as Gun Crazy (1950), Vicki (1953), and The Chapman Report (1962).
In 1962, the park hosted the Miss Teen USA pageant, where Linda Henning, a 15-year-old from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was crowned. The award presentation was conducted by television comedian Soupy Sales.
Decline
The Ocean Park urban renewal initiative began in 1965 under Santa Monica's direction, resulting in the demolition of adjacent buildings and the closure of streets providing access to the park. These changes severely restricted entry and caused attendance figures to plummet from 621,000 in 1965 to 398,700 in 1966.
By the end of 1967, legal actions from creditors and the City of Santa Monica aimed to claim the property due to outstanding taxes and rent. The park ceased operations on October 6, 1967, and its assets were auctioned off in June 1968 to repay debts. Following closure, the deserted pier became a favored spot for surfers, notably attracting the Z-Boys associated with Dogtown.
A series of suspicious fires inflicted damage on the park’s facilities on May 27, 1970; August 29, 1971; and March 17, 1973. Demolition efforts commenced in October 1974 and were completed by February 1975. Presently, only submerged pilings serve as remnants of Pacific Ocean Park. Nearby, the original Santa Monica Pier is home to a modern amusement area known as Pacific Park.