Yes, I do believe that was the ride! The first time I went on it I was terrified and thrilled; when I see that same kind at a carnival, I am impelled to go on it and recapture that feeling!
Wouldn't it have been lovely if some property developer with an eye on the future could have bought POP, made the repairs it needed, and then closed it for the day when parks of that nature became tourist attractions again? Sigh...I guess we'll have to enjoy our happy memories...

I've not been to California, but I know someone who used to live near Huntington Beach or Hermosa Beach, if I'm not mistaken.

Are these "destination" beaches as well?

The ones mentioned above make me want to head west.

What you're describing reminds me of a ride here in Maine found at Old Orchard Beach (a beachside amusement park). I never went on - too chicken I guess- but my friends had a blast on it.

The rotating floor ride was my favorite as a kid too.....now as an adult i have found that if I ride it twice in a row then I'm going to be sick for the next 3 hours.

Shame....I used to ride it 5 times in a row and then stagger around....

I have never been to Venice Beach but have heard that it is a good beach. I never heard of Pacific Ocean Park or that it was meant to compete with Disneyland. That's interesting. Sad to see it closed.

I had heard that about POP but just figured it was an urban legend. Kinda cool and a shame in many ways that it didn't work.