Crews will begin removing the Santa Monica Pier's iconic sign Tuesday, Oct. 20, sending the 1941 landmark to Las Vegas for a full restoration while the aging Pier Bridge beneath it is replaced.
The removal is temporary, city officials said. The sign is being refurbished, not replaced, and will return to its place at the top of the bridge once construction wraps up, which is expected in late 2027.
The work will be handled in stages using a crane and temporary support structures. Crews will first disconnect electrical power and remove the neon tubes, which will be crated for safekeeping. The Crown Sign will then be unbolted and lifted off by crane while the historic sign cage is temporarily supported.
Next, crews will take down the arched support truss and columns, lowering the pieces into protective steel shipping frames. The sign, truss and Crown Sign will be secured, braced and wrapped before being loaded onto separate flatbed trailers for the trip to Las Vegas.
The restoration will be led by YESCO, a sign company founded in 1920 that is known for its award-winning neon work and its restoration of historic signs. The company's past projects include the 105-year-old Sweet Candy Company sign and the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.
YESCO's work on the Pier sign will include restoring the neon tubing, removing rust, repainting and making structural repairs. The sign will be kept at a secure YESCO facility while bridge construction continues.
When it returns, the sign will be reinstalled at a higher elevation to make it more visible and to give vehicles more clearance underneath.
The city has installed a temporary half-scale replica of the sign on the Pier. Visitors can find it by walking down the bridge toward the Pier; it sits on the left just before Pier Burger, with the Pacific Park roller coaster and the shoreline in the background. The replica lights up at night and provides an opportunity for photos while the main Pier is being refurbished.
The original sign was designed by the Pan Pacific Neon Sign Company and unveiled June 17, 1941. It is listed on the California Register of Historical Resources and is considered a classic example of neon-era signage. It is also one of the most photographed spots in the city for tourists and residents alike.
The sign's removal is part of the larger Santa Monica Pier Bridge Project. The bridge, originally built in 1939, no longer meets modern structural or seismic standards, according to the city. The federally funded replacement will be seismically sound and will include a 15-foot-wide sidewalk meant to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists. The new bridge is scheduled to reopen in time for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Construction is already underway. Crews are building the bridge's underground foundation, starting at the base of the Pier and working toward Ocean Avenue. A two-month closure of the Moomat Ahiko Way on- and off-ramps began Sept. 28 so the contractor can finish demolishing the bridge over the roadway and start foundation work. Detour signs direct drivers to and from Pacific Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue.
Intermittent closures of Ocean Front Walk under the Pier bridge will continue on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout construction. Flaggers will be on site to guide pedestrians around the work.
The Pier remains open during construction, including its restaurants, shops and attractions. Vehicle access is available from Pacific Coast Highway. City officials recommend Beach Lot 4 South, Beach Lot 3 North and Parking Structure 8 for parking.
More information about the project is available at www.santamonica.gov/pierbridge.