When you think of the Santa Monica Pier, you probably picture cotton candy, Pacific sunsets, and that iconic boardwalk stretching out over the ocean. But for me, it was a carousel pig that stole the show.
On a recent visit to the pier, we did all the usual things—strolled to the end, watched the fishermen, soaked in the ocean views. But as we headed back, I spotted something unexpected: a pig among the carousel horses. Not something you see every day.
That one quirky detail sent me down a delightful rabbit hole of research, memories, and pop culture connections—because, yes, that’s how my brain works. Here’s what I learned about one of California’s most charming carousels, and why you should definitely look for the pig next time you’re on the pier.
A Pier with a Route 66 Twist
The Santa Monica Pier opened in 1909, but it wasn’t originally built for fun—it was a municipal pier meant to carry sewage pipes out to sea. Romantic, right?
Luckily, people quickly turned it into a recreational destination. By 1916, Charles I.D. Looff—the same man behind Coney Island’s first carousel—added a “pleasure pier” with rides, a ballroom, and food stands. The rest is history.
And here’s where the pop culture road trip magic comes in: the Santa Monica Pier is widely recognized as the ceremonial western end of Route 66. The actual endpoint is a few blocks inland, but let’s be honest—the pier makes a much better photo op. That’s why you’ll see the famous “End of the Trail” sign right at the edge of the boardwalk.
Just steps away is the Looff Hippodrome, home to the carousel that caught my eye—and my imagination.
So… Why Is There a Pig?
That pig on the carousel? Turns out it’s not just a quirky design choice—it’s part of a rich tradition. Carousels have a fascinating backstory that goes way beyond amusement parks.
The earliest versions of the ride go all the way back to the 12th century, where Turkish and Arabian horsemen practiced battle maneuvers by riding in circles and tossing perfume-filled clay balls. Miss a catch, and you’d smell awful all day. By the time the concept reached Europe, it had evolved into training games for noblemen, like spearing rings—aka the origin of the brass ring tradition.
By the late 1800s, carousels had become ornate fairground attractions with carved horses—and occasionally other animals like pigs, lions, giraffes, or goats. These are known as menagerie carousels, and they’re part of what made the golden age of carousels (1870s–1930s) so magical.
Some say pigs represent joy and abundance, and honestly, that feels like the perfect symbol for a sunny day at the beach.
Carousels as Pop Culture Icons
The Santa Monica carousel isn’t just beautiful—it’s famous. You can spot it in films like The Sting (1973) with Paul Newman and They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969). It’s also a classic example of how carousels show up in pop culture: sometimes dreamy, sometimes haunting, always symbolic.
Think about it: carousels often represent nostalgia, innocence, or the passage of time. In Strangers on a Train, Alfred Hitchcock turns a carousel into a dizzying climax of suspense. In Carousel, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, the ride becomes a metaphor for life itself—spinning, cyclical, beautiful, and bittersweet.
If you’re driving Route 66 or just spending a day in Santa Monica, the pier is a must-do—but don’t skip the carousel. Look closely at the hand-painted details. Watch the way it spins with the ocean behind it. And yes, find the pig.
