Ocean Beach Pier's Next Chapter

After closure due to damage, Ocean Beach’s best-known surfing and fishing pier is set for a facelift as it enters the next chapter of its ongoing history.
Jess Tucker
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Ocean Beach Pier's Next Chapter
New Plans for the OB Pier
Repairs to Replacement
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Environmental Challenges
A Fresh Start
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San Diego’s New 2024 Plans for the Ocean Beach Pier

North Side of  OB PierSurfer on the South Side of the Pier

Originally constructed in 1966, the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier is the second longest pier in California and the world’s longest concrete pier.

Often shortened to ‘OB Pier’ by locals, it’s long been a popular spot for people to surf, fish, birdwatch, and even spot the odd seal or sea lion off the coast. But after closures were announced last year, the fate of the pier became uncertain.

A New Strategy

With constant battering from wind and wave damage, the Ocean Beach Pier has gotten routine repairs throughout the years.

Recently, though, the City of San Diego has started pursuing a new strategy: a complete replacement of the pier!

How Repair Plans Became Replacement Goals

Longboarder Going Out for a Surf
Longboarder Going Out for a Surf

The Ocean Beach Pier has been a fixture of San Diego County for nearly six decades, standing alongside historic landmarks like the USS Midway Museum and The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park.

However, anyone hoping to try out San Diego pier fishing off this local landmark has often been out of luck with a series of closures.

Tide Pool South of  OB Pier
Tide Pool South of OB Pier

A Closed Landmark

Multiple times, the pier has been deemed too damaged for use due to wear and tear from the elements. These included major repairs in 1991, occasional closures throughout the early 2000s, and most recently, its closure in 2023.

The pier remained closed from January to July, with a brief reopening to celebrate its anniversary. But in October, it closed again in anticipation of winter weather damage.

For decades, the pier was the favorite spot of surfers for the break just north of the pier as well. Its closure has been a blow to San Diego’s surfing culture.

The upcoming replacement hopes to restore this landmark and turn it into a community gathering spot in Ocean Beach once again.

Top Deck at the Ocean Beach Hotel
Top Deck at the Ocean Beach Hotel

Stay Near the Pier in Ocean Beach

With its beaches and attractions, there are lots of reasons to stay in Ocean Beach!

One hotel we recommend is the Ocean Beach Hotel which is right in the heart of the neighborhood. You’ll get to see OB’s best sights, explore its art and culture, and enjoy easy access to the shoreline.

The Ocean Beach Hotel joins other excellent hotels around San Diego including some of our favorites like The Dana in Mission Bay and The Pendry in the Gaslamp Quarter but for a quality stay in OB, take a look at the Ocean Beach Hotel!

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Environmental Considerations and Other Challenges

One reason for deciding to replace the pier rather than repair it is due to the high costs that repairs have incurred over the years.

Weather and water damage has been continuous since the pier opened, made worse by the aging construction.

Looking at the OB Pier from the Ocean
Looking at the OB Pier from the Ocean

Storms and Other Environmental Factors

Factors such as climate change have worsened erosion of the pier due to rising sea levels from increasing ocean temperatures which have accelerated the recent damage done by crashing waves and salt water.

Storm surge has also been a growing problem. A recent storm in December 2023 caused a support structure to fall into the ocean, prompting the most recent closure.

With these factors in mind, costs have ballooned for routine repairs, which were already projected in the tens of millions of dollars back in 2018. This has solidified the need for a total replacement.

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A Fresh Start for the Ocean Beach Pier

Though the pier is set to be replaced, the city is committed to maintaining its status as a local icon through innovative features.

Looking Down the Center of  OB Pier
Looking Down the Center of OB Pier

Ocean Beach Pier's Next Chapter: A Look at San Diego’s Replacement Plans

Initially, repairs were pitched as the original solution. But a 2018 study encouraged the city to look into a full overhaul and replacement which would ensure the pier will remain standing for decades to come.

New designs for a more resilient structure were unveiled in April 2024. They include plans for a Surfer's Lounge and the addition of an Infinity Plaza at the end of the pier. There’s also planned to be a reinvisioned café and restaurant called The Island which will connect to a Horizon Walk.

These improvements are aimed at fostering a deeper sense of community at the new pier and opening it up to both locals and tourists.

No official timeline has yet been released, but repairs could begin as early as 2026. The pier is projected to remain closed in the meantime to limit further damage.

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The Ocean Beach Hotel is a budget-friendly option offering a prime beachfront location, newly renovated rooms, family-friendly comforts & direct beach access.
Prices Starting at $181
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