New 'Pier Planko' Game Debuts At Pacific Park In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — A new "Pier Planko" surf-themed game is debuting at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier just in time for Summer 2019.

Guests have the opportunity to "surf" their puck through a sea of pegs and wedges and into a series of slots at the bottom to collect points that can be redeemed for fun prizes. Each slot gets a different number of points, the Santa Monica Pier press release said. Every player is a winner — but the more points accumulated, the bigger the prize to win.

"Pier Planko is a fun-filled take on a favorite traditional game that guests love to play and can win great prizes," Nathan Smithson, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, said. "Our goal was to create a game that best reflects the community, Santa Monica lifestyle and Southern California beach culture right here at the Park."

The Pier Planko pucks have a surfer on top that guests drop down onto one of two Pier Planko boards. Guests can play as often as they like; the more surfer pucks dropped, the more points are possible to win.

The slots each have a point value from 50 to 300, and the more points accumulated, the bigger prizes you can win. Points can be combined when dropping multiple pucks, and prizes start at just 100 points, the press release said.

"Pier Planko is an original game design and constructed by the Pacific Park team, so this game won’t be found at any other boardwalk amusement parks or family fun centers," the Santa Monica Pier press release said. "The Pier Planko game is inspired by the surfers and wave riders that cruise just south of the Pier every morning. While there are other drop-puck style games available, none reflect the heritage of Southern California beach culture like Pacific Park’s new Pier Planko."

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is LA's only admission-free amusement park, offering 12 amusement rides and 14 midway games, an oceanfront food plaza and beachside shopping. For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744 or visit www.pacpark.com.