Overview: Ocean Beach Pier
"The loss of the OB Pier continues to be a significant loss for Ocean Beach and the greater region,” Teyssier said in a recent letter to the city, adding, “It was both a treasured public resource and a vital economic driver.”
Ocean Beach residents are beginning to wonder when – or even if – their community’s landmark pier will ever be replaced.
The old pier was closed to the public since October 2023 because of its deteriorating condition.
“Us old-timers would like to see the pier rebuilt in our lifetime,” said Mark Winkie, a former member of the now-disbanded Ocean Beach Pier Task Force. “That would be a good goal.”
Noting he “used the pier almost every day,” when he first moved to OB in the ‘80s, Winkie added that the pier is special to OB residents.
“It gives people who can’t get out on the ocean an experience of connecting to the water and the natural environment: It’s a public resource,” he said, “It’s one of the crown jewels of the city and county.
“We want to see it rebuilt and put back to its former glory.”
Another former OB Pier Task Force member, Ralph Teyssier, who is a structural engineer and the son of Leonard Teyssier – who built the OB Pier – said he is as concerned with finding funding to replace the pier as he is with the timeline for the project, which he noted continues to be extended.
“The loss of the OB Pier continues to be a significant loss for Ocean Beach and the greater region,” Teyssier said in a recent letter to the city, adding, “It was both a treasured public resource and a vital economic driver.”
Pair of requests made to the city
Teyssier had two requests to make of the city in his recent correspondence.
“Given the significance of this project, perhaps the mayor might consider providing an in-person update to the community in the near future,” he said.
“And could you provide us with a full update on the funding side of this project — the ‘third leg of the stool?’ We want to be sure that this essential component is actively moving forward and not stalled.”
First opened in 1966, the Ocean Beach Pier debuted as a sport-fishing pier with no fee for accessing it and no fishing licenses required.
During its first quarter-century, the pier received normal ongoing maintenance required by exposure to the harsh marine environment of wind, waves, and salt.
In 1991, the pier underwent major structural rehabilitation.
Since the early 2000s, exposure to winter storms, large waves, and ongoing degradation has required structural pier repairs with increasing frequency.
Based on the findings of a 2018 study, it was determined that OB Pier had reached the end of its useful service life.
Potential replacement of the pier
Consequently, the city has determined that pursuing a potential replacement of the pier is the best long-term option.
Nicole Fortier, an assistant civil engineer with the city, recently gave an update to the beach community in an email letter on the status of the pier.
“The Ocean Beach Renewal project is actively progressing,” she said, adding that there is a lot of groundwork yet to be done for the long-term project.
“After completing extensive public outreach and finalizing the proposed pier concept, the project team has transitioned into the permitting and environmental review phase,” Fortier said. “Given the scale of the project, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report is required under the California Environmental Quality Act, which can typically take anywhere from two to five years, depending upon the findings and potential impacts.”
The pier replacement report is expected to be ready for public review by spring 2026, Fortier added.
“In addition, the project must secure Site and Coastal Development Permits and coordinate with multiple regulatory agencies including, but not limited to, the California Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — each of which involves its own comprehensive review.
” The project is currently moving through this detailed permitting and environmental process.”
Fortier said that the city is actively pursuing all available funding sources for the project as well as for it long-term maintenance.
“The Ocean Pier Revitalization Act of 2024 has been renamed the American Pier Revitalization Act,” Fortier added. “Mayor (Todd) Gloria is actively working with Congressman (Mike) Levin to secure a Republican co-sponsor for this bill.”
In October 2024, the City and its engineering consultants revealed a refined preferred design concept for a potential replacement. The concept, shared during community workshops, is the culmination of more than 18 months of community engagement.
Original preferred design concept incorporates history
The original preferred design concept incorporated iconic elements of the nearly 60-year-old Ocean Beach Pier, along with more modern and new aesthetic elements.
The refined preferred design concept maintains the overall feel of the original, with updates to various features like lighting, shading, and fishing amenities based on public input.
Once proper environmental permitting and necessary funding have been secured for the pier’s replacement, demolition of the existing structure and construction of the new pier will take place concurrently.
Initial plans for the new pier are to have it constructed over approximately the same footprint as the existing pier, but with a higher deck elevation to minimize the potential for wave damage and account for future sea-level rises.
Work would start from its base, where it connects with the land, and work towards the west.
