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Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Two of America’s most iconic piers — the historic Santa Monica Pier and Chicago’s Navy Pier — will unite coast-to-coast on Saturday, June 6, 2026 (6/6/26), for a special Route 66 “Pier to Pier” celebration honoring the Centennial anniversary of the legendary highway connecting Chicago and Santa Monica.
Beginning at 10 a.m. local time, free rides will be offered for 66 minutes aboard the world-famous Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Pacific Park Pacific Wheel in celebration of Route 66.
The one-day event celebrates the historic connection between Chicago and the recent dedication of Navy Pier as the new symbolic eastern starting point of Historic Route 66, and Santa Monica, home to the iconic western terminus and “End of the Trail” at the Santa Monica Pier. 
“Like Navy Pier, Route 66 has always represented adventure, discovery, and the spirit of exploration,” said Marilynn Gardner, President and CEO of Navy Pier. “As the symbolic starting point of Historic Route 66, Navy Pier is proud to join Santa Monica Pier in celebrating the road that has connected generations of travelers from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean.”
The Navy Pier Centennial Wheel, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary on May 27, continues Chicago’s historic legacy as the birthplace of the Ferris wheel, first introduced by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 
“The connection between Chicago and Santa Monica has always been at the heart of Route 66,” said Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian at the Santa Monica Pier. “This celebration brings together two iconic destinations linked by history, nostalgia, and the timeless excitement of reaching the end — or beginning — of America’s most famous highway.”
At Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary on May 26, guests can also experience the Route 66 West Coaster roller coaster, featuring vintage gas pumps and license plates in the loading zone. The ride vehicles are inspired by classic American touring cars, creating the feeling of stepping back into a bygone era of road travel.
The Santa Monica Pier is also home to the nostalgic “End of the Trail” sign, while Pacific Park features two dedicated Route 66 photo spots where guests can capture the moment as soon as they arrive at the Park. Together, the locations are visited by millions of travelers each year.
The Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park is recognized as the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel and features more than 174,000 LED lights capable of displaying dynamic animated lighting entertainment above the Pacific Ocean. 
Free Centennial Wheel rides will be offered for 66 minutes to registered guests from 10 to 11:06 a.m., local time. Guests interested in redeeming the complimentary ride must RSVP at <a href="https://navypier.org/pier-events/route-66-day/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://navypier.org/pier-events/route-66-day/</a>. Quantities are limited and available first-come, first-served.
Free Pacific Wheel rides will be offered during the 66 minutes from 10 to 11:06 a.m., local time to guests who RSVP at <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com_s_uN2ICW6m7oF88Y3UKiYUojLr5-3Fdomain-3Durldefense.proofpoint.com&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=n8Rk-3m9m_kLXHe6p-mcNc0lLwgy0gpp0sspWTLnw4k&amp;m=IAVy8WaaDjlebkld5sGiGJbL8mQ-zI3rewXLqvnIHQKRbJAQBufFTy6L9PHfHSf4&amp;s=rpIZMf7lPn-1s6N6CmEVDkER2jNG5sNiXhlKmx6rBD0&amp;e=" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">pacpark.com/route-66-day</a>. Quantities are limited and available first-come, first-served. Additional riders may purchase individual tickets or use an Unlimited Ride Wristband.
To commemorate the occasion, guests who ride the Centennial Wheel or Pacific Wheel during the complimentary 66-minute celebration may purchase souvenir ride photos for just $6 from 10 to 11:06 a.m. local time. The limited-time offer provides a memorable keepsake from this unique coast-to-coast Route 66 event.

Local Event: Navy Pier and Santa Monica Pier Unite for Historic Route 66 ‘Pier to Pier’ Celebration on 6/6/26

Navy Pier and Santa Monica Pier Unite for...

Two of America’s most iconic piers — the historic Santa Monica Pier and Chicago’s Navy Pier — will unite coast-to-coast on...

Navy Pier and Santa Monica Pier Unite for Historic Route 66 ‘Pier to Pier’ Celebration on 6/6/26

The Santa Monica Pier and The Crow invite families to celebrate creativity, storytelling, self-expression, and joy at the return of Fabulous Fables, a free all-ages community event on Sunday, June 7, inside the historic Merry Go-Round Building at the Santa Monica Pier.
Designed especially for children ages 2–10 and their families, Fabulous Fables
combines drag queen storytelling, live performances, interactive art activities, and community celebration into a colorful morning by the beach.
The free event schedule includes:
<ul>
 <li>10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Face Painting &amp; Paint:LAB Easels </li>
 <li>11 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Showtime! Poetry, Storytime, Singing &amp; Silliness with the Queens! </li>
</ul>
Guests can enjoy drag queen storytime, a drag singalong and comedy show, face painting, hands-on painting activities with Paint:LAB easels, and a special poem reading by the Santa Monica Poet Laureate.
Hosted inside the iconic Merry Go-Round building overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Fabulous Fables creates a welcoming and imaginative environment where children and families can laugh, create, and celebrate together through storytelling and art.
In recognition of Pride Month and Santa Monica's SaMo Pride celebration, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will illuminate its iconic Ferris wheel in rainbow colors on the evening of June 7, creating a colorful tribute visible along the coastline.

Presented in partnership with The Crow as part of the Santa Monica Pier’s community programming, Fabulous Fables celebrates individuality, imagination, and the power of the arts to bring people together. 
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
is a sponsor for Fabulous Fables. 
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, visit santamonicapier.org/fabfables. 
Arrive by Rideshare, Metro, Bus or Bike, the Merry Go-Round Building on the Santa Monica Pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Local Event: Fabulous Fables Returns to the Santa Monica Pier 

Fabulous Fables Returns to the Santa Monica Pier 

The Santa Monica Pier and The Crow invite families to celebrate creativity, storytelling, self-expression, and joy at the...

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Navy Pier and Santa Monica Pier Unite for Historic Route 66 ‘Pier to Pier’ Celebration on 6/6/26

Fabulous Fables Returns to the Santa Monica Pier