By Lookout Staff

August 2, 2012 -- Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is only 16 years old, but already it's celebrated more than 5,500 birthdays.  

The world-famous, two-acre amusement park recently passed the landmark thanks to families who have been driving from as far as Santa Barbara and San Diego to celebrate their children’s birthdays.  

Pacific Park's seaside pavilion rented for birthday parties. (Photos Courtesy of Pacific Park.)

“This was Jewel’s first and only choice," said Jolene Perry, who brought her seven-year-old daughter Jewel from Rancho Santa Fe, California to celebrate her recent birthday with 14 kids.

"It was terrific to have all the kids on the rides together,” Perry said. “Pacific Park’s staff was terrific, the service was great and the birthday party exceeded all expectations.”

LA’s only admission free amusement park, Pacific Park offers 12 rides, 18 midway games and variety of attractions that offer ocean views from the century-old wooden pier.

“Pacific Park is all about family fun and what better way for kids to enjoy their birthday than having a great time on the amusement park rides and playing the midway games,” said Jeff Klocke, the park's vice president of Marketing and Administration.

“Parents can also join in the fun by riding the family-share rides with the kids or simply watching them have fun while relaxing in the seaside party cabana,” Klocke said.

Pacific Park presents four birthday party packages that are "family-friendly and stress free," including the standard Inkie Package, $30 per child; Pier Fun Package, $35 per child; Ultimate Beach Package, $45 per child, and Premium Pacific Package, $65 per child.

All the packages require a minimum of ten children and include a slew of amenities, including rental of the party cabana, unlimited rides and beverages, food, balloons, hats and a personal visit from the park's mascot Inkie the Octopus. The packages can be upgraded to include "a full range of options" with added entertaionment and games, Klocke said.

To book a birthday party or for additional information, call Reenay Montgomery, Birthday Sales Manager, at 310-260-8744 ext. 283.