Featured on postcards and souvenirs, captured in countless movie and TV scenes, and set behind millions of selfies on social media. This spot near L.A.’s golden coastline is easily one of the most recognizable in the world, right up there with the Hollywood Sign, Times Square, and the Eiffel Tower.
Famous for its ocean sunsets, as a hangout for teens and couples, and as a go-to seafood destination, this place is home to an attraction everyone knows. The Santa Monica Pier is where you’ll find the legendary and beloved Santa Monica Ferris wheel, a ride that, surprisingly, holds a unique global title: it’s the only Ferris wheel on Earth powered entirely by solar energy.
The history of the Ferris wheel and the park is long and goes all the way back to 1909, when the Santa Monica Municipal Pier first opened. Since then, the place has gone through many changes and modifications that, long story short, led to the creation of the current Pacific Park and its Ferris wheel in 1996, quickly becoming the crown jewel of the pier.
By 1998, as reported back then by the LA Times, the wheel made history by becoming the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel. A forward-thinking move that reflected California’s early commitment to renewable energy. Behind the scenes, over 650 solar panels capture the SoCal’s sun and generate around 71,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
A few years later, in 2008, the original wheel was replaced with a newer, more energy-efficient model featuring a high-tech LED lighting system with over 440 LED bars. These lights can display more than 16.7 million colors (still powered entirely by the sun) making the pier shine even brighter.
More than just a cool ride, the Pacific Wheel stands as a symbol of sustainability, proving that entertainment and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Most visitors come for the sweeping ocean views and vibrant lights, but many leave unaware they’ve just experienced a ride powered by clean solar energy.
It’s a local legend with a quietly revolutionary legacy, one more reason why this SoCal classic keeps shining.