A Decade of Innovation and Culture: Pacific Park “Sp30tlights” Part 3

Published on May 25, 2026

Welcome to the grand finale of our 30th anniversary celebration!

Over our last two posts, we traced Pacific Park’s journey from its early days in 1996 to its rise as a nationally recognized coastal landmark. Today, we are bringing it home with “Sp30tlights: 30 Years of Fun” – Part 3, taking a look at our most recent decade: 2016 to 2026.

This past decade has been defined by high-tech innovation, massive pop-culture takeovers, and unprecedented community spirit. Here is how Pacific Park continues to evolve, innovate, and make history on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier.

Innovation, Pop Culture, and Milestones (2016–2026)

Our third decade brought a perfect blend of high-tech upgrades, unforgettable events, and brand-new park experiences. Here are the highlights that led us to our 30-year milestone:

2016 — A Brighter Icon: The Pacific Wheel gets a massive upgrade with a brand-new, eco-friendly lighting system boasting 174,000 LED lights for sharper graphics and higher-resolution light shows.
2017 — Making a Splash: The family-friendly Shark Frenzy ride officially opens, giving guests a spinning, biting good time.
2018 — A Taste of Victory: The park welcomes top competitive eaters as the host of the official World Taco-Eating Championship.
2019 — Entering the Upside Down: Netflix takes over the Santa Monica Pier for a massive, immersive “Stranger Things” premiere event that transforms the park into 1985 Hawkins, Indiana.
2020 — A Beacon of Hope: During a challenging year, the Pacific Wheel uses its massive LED display to honor frontline healthcare workers and send messages of unity to the community.
2021 — Back to the Fun: Pacific Park officially reopens its gates to the public and celebrates a quarter-century of memories for our 25th anniversary.
2022 — Pier Luxury: We partner with Tiffany & Co. for a stunning, high-profile brand activation right on the boardwalk.
2023 — Flying High: In one of our most dramatic moments, the beloved Sea Dragon ride is retired via helicopter to make room for an enhanced, state-of-the-art version of the classic swinging ship.
2024 — A Foodie’s Paradise: Snackville makes its official debut, introducing five completely revamped, fun food concepts to satisfy every craving.
2025 — Step Inside the Funhouse: We expanded our attractions with the opening of a brand-new, immersive Funhouse attraction.
2026 — 30 Years of Fun: Pacific Park officially turns 30!

Looking to the Future: The Next Chapter

While this concludes our Sp30tlights lookback series, the fun at Pacific Park is just getting started. From a single solar-powered wheel to a cultural hub that hosts global brands and Hollywood premieres, we are proud to be LA’s ultimate seaside destination.

We couldn’t have reached this 30-year milestone without you—our community, our guests, and the millions of riders who have shared a sunset with us.

Photo courtesy of @doradovlogs.