Crews begin taking down the Santa Monica Pier sign on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, and will finish the main sign on Thursday, Oct. 22, according to the City of Santa Monica. The sign then goes to a Las Vegas shop for restoration, with shipping expected to start Monday, Oct. 26.
The pier sits just west of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, an independent city in LA County. The sign is one of the best-known landmarks on the Southern California coast, so the removal is likely to draw crowds.
Removal schedule and what to expect
The city says its schedule is subject to change. As of Oct. 19, the plan looks like this:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: setup and removal of the neon tubing.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21: removal of the sign’s top crown.
- Thursday, Oct. 22: removal of the main sign.
Work runs from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. One lane of Ocean Avenue near the pier entrance will close during those hours, so drivers should expect slower traffic there. Rain is forecast for Oct. 21 and 22. Crews plan to keep working in rain unless there is lightning or poor visibility.
The city has set up two public viewing areas: the southern edge of Palisades Park, and the northeast side of the pier entrance at Ocean and Colorado avenues. A map is linked in the city’s announcement.
Why the sign is coming down
The removal is part of the Pier Bridge Replacement Project, which replaces the aging bridge that connects Ocean Avenue to the pier. The city has said construction began in December 2025, and the pier stays open while work continues. The sign hangs over that entrance, so it has to come off before the new bridge goes in.
The sign has stood on the pier since 1941 and is listed on the California Register of Historical Resources, as LAist reported. Because of that status, the city is treating the job as a restoration rather than a replacement.
Restoration and return
YESCO, a Las Vegas sign company, will repair the neon, remove rust, treat affected areas, repaint the sign and its supports, make structural repairs, and preserve historic features. The release does not give a restoration timeline or a cost.
The sign will be stored at YESCO’s facility while the bridge is built. When it returns, it will be reinstalled at the top of the new bridge, at a slightly higher elevation. The city says that improves visibility and vehicle clearance. The bridge project is scheduled for completion by 2028, but the city has not given an exact date for the sign’s return.
In the meantime, a half-scale replica stands on the left side of the pier, just before Pier Burger. Visitors who want a photo of a sign at the pier entrance can use it while the original is away.
What it means for visitors
Anyone heading to the pier this week should plan for a lane closure on Ocean Avenue in the mornings and early afternoons. Parking and foot traffic near the viewing areas may be busy, especially on dry mornings. The pier itself remains open, according to the city’s earlier project notices.
Visitors who prefer to watch from a distance can follow the city’s updates, since the schedule can shift with weather. More Los Angeles and California coverage is available in our guide.