Pacific Ocean Park

The "p.o.p." in p.o.p. candy is a nod to Pacific Ocean Park (or "POP"), a pier-based amusement park that stood at the end of Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica from 1958 to 1967. POP stood on Licks Pier, which was built in 1919. Designed to compete with Disneyland, POP opened to rave reviews for its wild rides and attractions in 1958. Attendance was well over one million each year. In 1964, a city urban renewal project began, hindering access to the park and causing a sharp decline in attendance. Sadly, it was forced to close in 1967. Empty and deteriorating, POP stood throughout the early 70's, becoming immortalized as the infamous "Dogtown" by the local skateboarders and surfers until its demolition in 1975.

We believe in the cultural significance of Pacific Ocean Park pier, and the pleasure it brought to Southern California and the local beach culture. To read more about POP:
POP Virtual Museum
westland.net