Iconic Santa Monica Pier Sign Dismantled for Las Vegas Restoration
The historic neon arch, a fixture since 1941, will be removed for a $35.5 million bridge overhaul and returned after refurbishment.
Santa Monica’s iconic 20-foot blue neon arch sign, a landmark at the pier entrance since 1941, is being dismantled and will be shipped to Las Vegas for restoration as part of a major bridge overhaul.
The sign is expected to be removed by the end of September. The process involves cutting its electrical power, removing neon tubes, and then dismantling the structure in sections for transport. A crane will be used to lift the pieces.
The removal is tied to a $35.5 million bridge replacement project aimed at replacing the aging connection between the pier and city streets with a new structure built to modern seismic standards. This taxpayer-funded overhaul will also include wider pedestrian sidewalks and redesigned walkways.
The city states that the sign is not being permanently removed or replaced. It will be refurbished by YESCO, with its historic character intact, and returned to its original location atop the rebuilt bridge. Construction is anticipated to be completed by December 2027, with the new bridge designed to have a 70-year service life.
During the construction period, which could last nearly a year, visitors will be able to see a half-scale replica of the sign along a temporary walkway.
The vintage sign, declared a historic landmark by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1996, originally read: “Santa Monica Yacht Harbor – Sport Fishing – Boating – Cafes.” The yacht harbor itself ceased operations by the early 1980s.
Constance Farrell, the former communications and public information manager for the City of Santa Monica, clarified in 2022 that the project's timeline, while aiming for completion before the 2028 Olympics, is not solely driven by the Games but by the necessity of replacing the aging infrastructure.