Santa Monica Will Remove Historic Pier Sign for Repairs

The 87-year-old landmark will undergo a restoration in Las Vegas during a major bridge replacement project.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stylized pier archway standing against a clear sky, symbolizing coastal infrastructure maintenance. — The City of Santa Monica will remove its historic pier sign in September 2026 to facilitate a major bridge replacement project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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City crews plan to dismantle the 20-foot-tall Santa Monica Pier sign by late September 2026 to facilitate the replacement of the pier bridge. The historic structure will be shipped to Las Vegas for extensive restoration work.

Why it matters

The removal is necessary to accommodate a long-term infrastructure project that will replace the aging bridge. Preserving the landmark ensures that a piece of local history is protected while modernizing the pier's access for future decades.

The iconic sign measures 20 feet tall and has stood at the entrance since its unveiling in 1941. It was designated as a historic landmark by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1996.

The players

State of California Department of Parks and Recreation

This state agency oversees the management and preservation of natural, cultural, and historic resources throughout California.

Santa Monica Pier

This historic landmark serves as a major tourist destination and public space in the city of Santa Monica.

The details

Workers will disconnect electrical power and remove neon tubes before unbolting the sign and lifting it with a crane. The sign will be dismantled into sections and transported to Las Vegas on flatbed trailers, while a half-scale replica currently remains on display for visitors.

The original sign was unveiled on June 17, 1941.
The sign was declared a historic landmark in 1996.
The sign is expected to be removed by late September 2026.
The restored sign will be returned to the pier in late 2027.
The bridge replacement project is expected to be complete by December 2027.

Market Landscape

This project reflects a broader trend of municipalities balancing historic preservation with the necessary modernization of aging coastal infrastructure. The efforts align with the California Public Resources Code historic preservation standards to maintain cultural landmarks while updating public facilities.

Visitors to the Santa Monica Pier can continue to see a half-scale replica sign along the temporary walkway during the construction period. The restoration ensures the original piece of history will remain a fixture for the local community upon the bridge project completion.

The takeaway

Maintaining historic landmarks requires careful planning and specialized restoration skills that often extend beyond local capabilities. Residents should expect temporary visual changes to iconic locations when major infrastructure upgrades are underway.