𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟, 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗: Historic Santa Monica Pier Sign Comes Down After 85 Years

HISTORIC 1941 SANTA MONICA PIER SIGN REMOVED IN MAJOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT MILESTONE SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Friday, October 23, 2026 — A significant chapter in Santa Monica's waterfront history unfolded Friday morning as crews from YESCO successfully removed the historic 1941 Santa Monica Pier sign from its longtime position above the Pier entrance, marking a major milestone in the city's ongoing Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Using a large mobile crane equipped with a steel spreader beam, crews carefully lifted the iconic blue-and-yellow arched sign from its supporting structure. The operation followed several days of preparation, including the removal of the sign's neon lettering, dismantling of its upper crown, and the installation of specialized lifting equipment. Once secured to the crane's rigging, the historic sign was hoisted free of its supports, bringing an end to more than eight decades of its presence above the entrance to one of Southern California's most recognizable landmarks. Originally unveiled on June 17, 1941, the Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign features distinctive Art Deco styling and lettering advertising sport fishing, boating, and cafes. Designed by the Pan Pacific Neon Sign Company, the landmark is listed on the California Register of Historical Resources and has become an enduring symbol of Santa Monica's coastal identity. The removal is temporary. YESCO, a specialty sign company based in Las Vegas, is responsible for restoring the historic structure. The restoration will include repairing its neon lighting, addressing corrosion, refurbishing structural steel components, and repainting the sign to preserve its historic appearance. Following restoration and storage, the original sign is expected to return to the Pier entrance in 2027, where it will be reinstalled as part of the new bridge configuration. The removal operation had originally been scheduled earlier in the week but was postponed as crews required additional time for pre-removal preparations and crane rigging. The city subsequently rescheduled the main lift for Friday morning. With the historic sign removed, Shimmick Construction, the project's prime contractor, can advance the next stages of demolition involving the remaining bridge approach near Ocean Avenue. The work will eventually make way for additional foundation construction and the new bridge structure. Originally built in 1939, the existing Santa Monica Pier Bridge no longer meets modern structural and seismic standards. The approximately $35 million federally funded replacement project is designed to improve earthquake resilience, accessibility, and long-term safety, including a new 15-foot-wide sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Santa Monica Pier remains open during construction, with pedestrian access maintained through a temporary bridge and vehicle access available from Pacific Coast Highway. The replacement project is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Friday's removal represents more than a construction milestone. It marks the temporary departure of an 85-year-old Santa Monica landmark, carefully preserved for its eventual return as the city builds a new gateway to the historic Pier. Santa Monica Closeup documented the removal operation Friday morning, capturing the careful lifting of the historic sign and another defining moment in the transformation of the Santa Monica Pier entrance.