30 Years of Fun: Pacific Park Kicks Off 30th Anniversary with “Sp30tlights” Part 1

Published on May 23, 2026

Can you believe it’s been three decades since amusement rides officially returned to the Santa Monica Pier?

To kick off our 30th anniversary celebration, Pacific Park is taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane. We are thrilled to announce the release of “Sp30tlights: 30 Years of Fun” – Part 1, a curated look back at our very first decade from 1996 to 2005.

Whether you’ve been riding the Pacific Wheel since day one or you’re planning your very first visit to the historic Santa Monica Pier, here is how Pacific Park transformed into the modern, world-famous seaside landmark it is today.

Rewinding the Tape: Pacific Park’s First Decade (1996–2005)

The first ten years of Pacific Park were filled with milestones, pop-culture magic, and a whole lot of history. Here are the highlights from our early years:

1996 — The Return of Amusement: Pacific Park officially opens its gates on May 26th, bringing amusement park rides and games back to the Santa Monica Pier for the first time in decades.
1997 — Lights, Camera, Action: Hollywood takes notice! Major film and television productions begin using the Pier and Pacific Park as their go-to coastal backdrop.
1998 — An Eco-Friendly Icon: The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel makes its grand debut.
1999 — Meet Inkie: We introduced everyone’s favorite purple mascot, Inkie the Octopus!
2000 — A Tradition for Mom: The annual Mother’s Day Ferris wheel tradition is born.
2001 — High-Flying Fun: The fan-favorite La Monica Swing ride opens to the public.
2002 — Over 2 Million Served: The world-famous Ferris wheel officially surpasses 2 million riders.
2003 — More Space to Celebrate: The Pier Pavilion opens, creating the perfect oceanfront venue for private events.
2004 — Community First: We launched PALpalooza in partnership with the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL).
2005 — Tee Time: The Pirates’ Pier Mini Golf course opens, adding a new way to play on the boardwalk.

Don’t miss out on the rest of our history! This is just the beginning of our trip down memory lane—stay tuned for Sp30tlights Part 2 and Part 3 coming to the blog soon, where we’ll dive into the incredible milestones of our second and third decades on the Pier.

Photo courtesy of Jim Harris.