Sundays In My City #6: Santa Monica Pier

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Since school started on Wednesday, Godson and I spent one last summer vacation day at the Santa Monica Pier near Los Angeles on Tuesday. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

When we arrived, we found out that Wednesday would mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Pier. Who knew!

Over the years, the Pier has had its ups and downs to that point that in the 1973 the City Council actually voted to tear it down in favor of a man-made island with a resort hotel. The "locals" didn't take that lightly and pitched such a huge fit that the council rescinded the vote and three of it's "anti-Pier" members were badly defeated in the next election.

Then, in 1983, Mother Nature had her way with our lovely Pier during two nasty storms and destroyed 1/3 of it, along with shops and restaurants. A Restoration Task Force was formed and by 1990 the entire Pier was restored and open to the public once again. Phew!

Yes, over the year, our lovely Pier has had a few face lifts but who hasn't in this town (wink, wink).

The Pier is 1,600 feet long. If you walked to the end (which has a terrific Mexican Restaurant) and back, you'll get sunburned. Trust me on that, so don't forget your sunscreen.

In 1996 Pacific Park opened, bringing back the first full-scale amusement park on the Pier since the 1930's. The Ferris Wheel was replaced last year with a more eco-friendly version. And by the way, I wouldn't be caught dead on that thing. I'm afraid of heights.

But honestly, it's the beach that brings Godson and I to the Pier. We're not much for the rides. We hang out at the beach for hours digging in the sand and chasing the waves. Then we'll make our way up to the Pier and have lunch at Bubba Gumps, grab a bag of freshly made cotton candy, and then head back down to the beautiful ocean.

Tuesday was a hot day but perfect for the beach. Since it was the last day before school started, it wasn't to crowded. That's Malibu in the distance.

This is the view of the Pacific and the beach from the middle of the Pier.
Like they say, "Life's a beach!"

How's your Sunday?

Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna