By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

May 22, 2014 --  Pacific Park has completed $500,000 in upgrades to shops and amenities designed to “create a unique experience all while playing over the Pacific Ocean,” amusement park officials announced this week.

Among the changes to Pacific Park are an upgraded Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and an expansion to the Pier Gear shop near the end of the historic century-old Santa Monica Pier.

“Pacific Park is always looking at new and different ways to bring a mix of exciting rides, unique attractions, assorted retail or delicious restaurants so guests can enjoy the Park each time they visit throughout the year,” says Jeff Klocke, Pacific Park’s vice president of marketing and administration.

“The renovated outlets offer a dining and shopping experience that can’t be found at any other location – simply being over the ocean creates an exceptional guest experience.”

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf received a $325,000 upgrade, including a streamlined layout that creates a more efficient space for guests to enter, order and pick-up, according to Park officials.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is the only store in the popular franchise’s history to sit on a pier above an ocean.

Pier Gear was the recipient of a $175,000 expansion that now provides increased retail space that highlights a classic surf and sea-style shopping atmosphere, said officials.

The expansion brings in new displays created by Pico Designs, including shark tooth necklaces and friendship bracelets.

Guests can also purchase a variety of California cool souvenir magnets, T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and more.

While admiring the new upgrades, officials are urging guests to visit the 12 amusement park rides that feature a roster of family-share rides including Inkie’s Air Lift, SIG Alert EV, Sea Planes, Inkie’s Pirate Ship and Inkie’s Wave Jumper. Pacific Park also offers 14 midway games and an oceanfront food plaza.

The top attraction is the nine-story-tall Pacific Ferris Wheel, which is the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel and features 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that present dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment each evening.

Pacific Park is L.A.’s only admission-free amusement park. Individual rides are just $6 and $4 along with daily Individual Ride Passes at $24.95 for 8 years and older, and $16.95 for 7 years and younger.

Pacific Park’s Annual Pass is priced at $99 and is valid 365 days from the time of processing.  Guests will receive a complimentary Pacific Park branded lanyard, said officials.

For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744, visit www.pacpark.com, follow on Twitter: @pacpark and Like at Facebook: facebook.com/pacificpark.