Marineland of the Pacific

Marineland of the Pacific

Marineland of the Pacific
Date opened	August 28, 1954
Date closed	February 11, 1987
Location	Los Angeles County, California, United States
Coordinates	33°44′17″N 118°23′53″W / 33.738°N 118.398°W / 33.738; -118.398Coordinates: 33°44′17″N 118°23′53″W / 33.738°N 118.398°W / 33.738; -118.398
Website	www.marinelandofthepacific.org

Marineland of the Pacific was a public oceanarium and tourist attraction located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast in Los Angeles County, California, USA. Architect William Pereira designed the main structure. It was also known as Hanna-Barbera's Marineland during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Marineland operated from 1954 until 1987, when it was purchased by the owners of SeaWorld San Diego. The new owners moved the popular killer whales and other animals to their San Diego facility and abruptly closed Marineland.

When it opened in 1954, one year before Disneyland, Marineland of the Pacific was the world's largest oceanarium. The park was designed by William Pereira whose work, which included the Transamerica Pyramid, the Los Angeles International Airport, and the Geisel Library helped define the architectural look of mid-20th century California. Marineland was best known for its performing orcas or "killer whales". It was also noteworthy for its Baja Reef concept, a first-of-its-kind swim-through aquarium featuring a wide array of sea life. Visitors could enter the winding aquarium wearing a swim mask and snorkel and swim with the fish and sharks. Marineland also contained educational and research facilities in addition to its unique entertainment structures.

Marineland was home to Orky and Corky, two of the most famous orcas on exhibit at any oceanarium at the time. They should not be confused with the original "Orky" and "Corky", which did not live long in captivity and had no calves. Marineland was also home to the first pilot whale ("Bubbles") ever captured for display, as well as dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, sharks, and a variety of other related sea creatures.