Marineland of the Pacific
 Marineland of the Pacific | |
 | |
| Date opened | August 28, 1954[1] |
|---|---|
| Date closed | February 11, 1987[1] |
| Location | Los Angeles County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 33°44′17″N 118°23′53″W / 33.738°N 118.398°WCoordinates: 33°44′17″N 118°23′53″W / 33.738°N 118.398°W |
| Website | www |
Marineland of the Pacific was a public oceanarium and tourist attraction located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast in Los Angeles County, California. Architect William Pereira designed the main structure. It was also known as Hanna-Barbera's Marineland during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Marineland operated from 1954 until 1987, when it was purchased by the owners of SeaWorld San Diego. The new owners moved the popular killer whales and other animals to their San Diego facility and abruptly closed Marineland.
History
Marineland
When it opened in 1954, one year before Disneyland, Marineland of the Pacific was the world's largest oceanarium. The park was designed by William Pereira, whose work, which included the Transamerica Pyramid, the Los Angeles International Airport, and the Geisel Library helped define the architectural look of mid-20th century California.
Marineland was best known for its performing orcas. One tourist guide in 1974 stated, “Entertainment is the first purpose of this well-known Palos Verdes show place. Here’s a rare opportunity to see a ‘killer whale’ leaping 18 feet out of the water to grab a fish from the teeth of its trainer, a dolphin jumping through a fire-ringed hoop, or a sea lion crooning a tune.”[2]
Marineland was home to Orky and
Other attractions included the Sky Tower, “a circular elevator ride 344 feet above the sea,” and hourly boat tours of the coastline.[2]
Marineland was also noteworthy for its Baja Reef concept, a first-of-its-kind swim-through aquarium featuring “many brightly colored fish.” Visitors could enter the winding aquarium wearing a swim mask and snorkel and swim with the fish and sharks. The tour lasted seven minutes in 1979.[4] Special admission tickets to this attraction cost $4 in 1985.[5]
Circa 1979 there was a “new macaw show,” strolling cartoon characters and a “marine animal care center” at the park.[4]
Closing
Orky and Corky were moved to SeaWorld's San Diego park a few weeks after the purchase supposedly for mating,
Abandonment
Much of the infrastructure was left abandoned for nearly 20 years. Marineland's most visible landmark, the 414-foot (126 m) high tower, remained standing until 1995. The Marineland Restaurant continued operating through 2004 as the "Catalina Room" (where
Redevelopment
In 1995, developer York Long Point purchased 480 acres (1.9 km2) of coastal land that included the Marineland location for $24 million.
After several false starts, development began in 2007 on a new $450 million resort, a project by Lowe Destination Development, which was planned to include a hotel, privately owned "casitas", and full spa and resort facilities. Originally projected to include an 18-hole golf course, the plan was changed to include only an "Executive Par 3" golf course on the resort property.
In early 2006, two small temporary sales offices replaced the abandoned gas station at the park entrance, and the large concrete sign along Palos Verdes Drive South (with a tower resembling a whale's tail) was altered to feature the logo and artist's impression of the resort. In July 2007, principal construction commenced, starting with the demolition of the remains of Marineland. The resort was completed in 2009.[9]
The Point Vicente Interpretive Center, located a half-mile north on the same road, reopened in July 2006 after extensive remodeling, and it has a number of items related to Marineland in an exhibit, including a "Save Marineland" pin and various publications from the park. One of the original dolphin statues that formerly adorned the entrance to Marineland is also on display.
Historical Society
The Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society was formed in 2003 "to provide information and access to historical information and images of the park to students, researchers, industry professionals, and interested parties".[10]
Television, film and music
While still in operation, the park was prominently featured in several television shows, including two episodes of
Since its closing, scenes for several feature
Several TV shows have also used the site for their filming needs, including regular use by NBC's Fear Factor and one episode of Viper. The location was also used for MTV's Motel California.
See also
- List of abandoned amusement parks
- List of former zoos and aquariums
References
- ^ a b "Photo of poster" (JPG). 3.bp.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
- ^ SBN 376-06754-3.
- ^ Branning, Timothy (May 1980). "Whale Done" (PDF). pacificbeachlife.com. Westways. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Smith, Doug (1979-06-17). "There's No End of Things to Do Close to Home". Los Angeles Times. pp. CS1.
- ^
MacArthur, Loren (1985). L.A. Bike Rides: A Guide to 37 Specially Selected Bike Routes in Los Angeles County. San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books. p. 72. ISBN 0-87701-316-0.
- ^ a b c d e Nielsen, John (March 1, 1987). "NATIONAL NOTEBOOK: Rancho Palos Verdes; Harcourt Sinks Marineland". The New York Times. p. Section 8. Page 1. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "Collection of Materials Related to Marineland". The Online Archive of California. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "Marineland of the Pacific". palosverdes.com. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Marineland of the Pacific: Abandoned Places, Desks, Oddities". moderndayruins.com. Modern Day Ruins. January 9, 2008. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Marineland of the pacific: Historical record of the famous oceanarium". marinelandofthepacific.org. Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "IMDb - "The A-Team" Beneath the Surface (TV episode 1986)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
Further reading
- Patryla, Jim. (2005). A Photographic Journey Back To Marineland of the Pacific Lulu Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4116-7130-0.
External links
- Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society
- Marineland of the Pacific Postcard Collection
- Marineland of the Pacific at Modern Day Ruins
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- Oceanaria in the United States
- Palos Verdes Peninsula
- Defunct amusement parks in California
- Former zoos
- History of Los Angeles
- History of Los Angeles County, California
- 1954 establishments in California
- 1987 disestablishments in California
- Buildings and structures in Los Angeles County, California
- William Pereira buildings
- Hanna-Barbera
- Amusement parks opened in 1954
- Amusement parks closed in 1987
- Zoos established in 1954
- Zoos disestablished in 1987