Pan-Pacific Park – Family Friendly Fun

The Pan Pacific Auditorium in 1937 (Photo via the Los Angeles Public Library and the LAist)

From its iconic start, the Pan Pacific Park, which spans a full city block, has had many rough years, but is now seeing a comeback.

First opened in 1935, the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, with its famous four stylized towers and flagpoles which were meant to evoke up-swept aircraft fins, hosted such events as the Ice Capades, the Harlem Globetrotters, along with UCLA ice hockey, UCLA men’s basketball, and USC men’s basketball games, as well as hosting professional tennis tournaments, car shows, political rallies and circuses.

Its storied history includes the historic General Dwight D. Eisenhower speech to a beyond-capacity crowd of 10,000 in 1952, a month before being elected President of the United States. Elvis Presley performed there in 1957, shortly before he was drafted into the Army, and Vice-president Richard Nixon addressed a national audience from the Pan-Pacific in November 1960. The building remained as Los Angeles’ primary indoor venue until the 1972 opening of the much larger Los Angeles Convention Center, after which the Pan-Pacific Auditorium was closed. Source: Wikipedia

Once the Pan-Pacific closed its doors, neglect and decay took over, until 1989, when a blazing fire destroyed the Auditorium.

Photo via Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive

Today, only one of the iconic towers remains, but the Park stands as a lasting memory of a time gone by.

As you can see in the picture above, right next to the Auditorium entrance, is a small playground named Renee’s Place. It’s a universal access playground with two play areas, one for 2- to 5-year-olds, and the other for 5- to 12-year-olds.

The park also has a mister so while parents keep a watchful eye, their children get to keep cool on hot summer days.

Pan-Pacific Park has it all–basketball courts, baseball diamonds, picnic tables, a jogging trail, and barbeque pits.

Here’s its brand new outdoor gym. With about 35 average annual days of rainfall, working out at this outdoor gym is pretty much available all year round.

The Pan-Pacific Park Pool is a welcome addition for the area, especially during the dog days of summer—here’s its full summer schedule.

Next time you need a place to bring the kids where they can run, play, and just have a good time; Pan-Pacific Park should be your destination. It’s also adult friendly.

For a full list of its varied activities, facilities, groups, features, programs, and times, check out the City of Los Angeles’ Pan-Pacific Park’s website.

The location of Pan-Pacific Park is in the heart of the city, so when Travelin’ Local, knowing where to go, is half the battle—the other half is up to you to have fun!