Posted: 12/10/2025
The Ocean Beach (OB) Pier, a beloved landmark in San Diego, is undergoing a major renewal project. Built in 1966, the pier has faced significant degradation from the marine environment, leading to frequent repairs and eventual closure in 2023. The City of San Diego has opted for a full replacement to address ongoing issues, modernize the facility, and prepare for future sea level rise. This article summarizes the key details from the official fact sheet.
Posted: 10/03/2025
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.”
Posted: 07/26/2025
Pier Pressure
In my time of need, the Ocean Beach Pier restored me. Will we now restore the pier?
BY MONA GABLE • ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXIA LOZANO
A couple of years ago, the city of San Diego permanently closed the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier. A study deemed the battered landmark "beyond its useful life." With sea levels rising, the city judged it too impractical to spend millions of dollars to repair the structure. The final blow came in December 2023 when a storm knocked out a support pile, which promptly sank. My heart sank, too. If it were any other pier, I might not have cared so much. But this was my pier.
Posted: 10/22/2024
Join the City of San Diego for a community open house to see the latest design for the Ocean Beach Pier!
Since unveiling the preferred design in April, the City has listened to your feedback and made exciting updates to the concept, enhancing the pier's amenities and features.
This open house is your chance to check out the new design, share your thoughts, and be part of shaping the future of the iconic Ocean Beach Pier.
The event will kick off with a brief presentation at 12:15pm, followed by interactive stations and a video display to walk you through the latest updates. Don’t miss this opportunity to get involved and have your say!
See you there!
Posted: 08/25/2024
REPAIRS TO DAMAGED PIER NO LONGER FEASIBLE; FOCUS NOW TURNS TO LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT
SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego has determined the safest and most cost-effective option for the Ocean Beach Pier is to keep the structure closed to public access while the City moves forward with a long-term solution to replace the 58-year-old pier. The Ocean Beach Pier has been closed since it was damaged by high surf in October 2023. Additional, and more significant, damage occurred in December 2023 when a support bracket – or “pile” – broke off and fell into the ocean. Engineering teams have determined that any work to rehabilitate the pier is not feasible, especially given the likelihood of additional damage occurring during future winter storms.
Posted: 04/23/2024
The new preferred hybrid pier design concept envisions interconnected pathways, gathering places, new retail and dining opportunities, and enhanced fishing amenities. With an estimated $170 million to $190 million price tag, the new pier is planned to be constructed over the same footprint as the old one, with new construction starting from the pier’s base. The construction timeline is yet to be determined but will be provided once the environmental permitting and funding acquisition processes are complete. San Diego Community Newspaper Group asked residents several questions. Are they impressed by the proposed pier replacement configuration? What would they like/not like to see with pier amenities? Would people want a gift shop? Do they like the proposed overhead view bridge and the fishing piers? In short, do residents want a more expensive pier design with all the bells and whistles? Or something more basic and less costly? Here’s what locals had to say:
Posted: 04/13/2024
The survey to gather input regarding the specific pier amenities, like lighting and shading options for a potential Ocean Beach Pier replacement, is open through May 6, 2024. The City's consultants will take input gathered from that survey to create a final design concept, which will be presented to the public in late 2024.
Preferred design concept flythrough
Posted: 03/08/2024
Preferred design concept for a potential Ocean Beach Pier replacement will be unveiled. Saturday, April 6th, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Liberty Station Conference Center. 2600 Laning Road, San Diego, CA, 92106. During this workshop, the City of San Diego and its consultants will present the preferred design concept for a potential Ocean Beach Pier replacement. The preferred design concept was created based on public input of the three preliminary design concepts that were presented in September 2023.
Posted: 01/08/2024
We are aware of visible damage to the Ocean Beach Pier. At least one pile fell off, and the pier's railing was damaged. The pier has been closed since October 2023 [sandiego.gov], when it initially suffered damage during high surf. The current plan is to keep the pier closed through the remainder of the winter storm season. We have initiated an assessment of the recent damage to determine the next steps for the 57-year-old pier. This is the first step in the process, and as of now, there is no timeline for completion.
Posted: 09/18/2023
Provide your feedback on the three preliminary design concepts for a potential Ocean Beach Pier replacement. Your input will help shape the preferred design concept that will be unveiled in early 2024.
Please use the link below to give your input by taking the community survey on Ocean Beach Pier Alternatives.
Posted: 06/10/2023
OB Pier Replacement-current Status of the Pier. In order to assess the damage sustained by the Ocean Beach Pier during winter storms earlier this year, the City hired Moffatt & Nichol, a highly experienced marine structural engineering consultant. Moffatt & Nichol conducted a visual assessment and determined that while the pier had minor damage to its buildings, railings, and pump station, it sustained less structural damage this storm season than in past storm seasons. That means that while the pier continues to degrade over time, it is currently structurally safe to support public use.
Posted: 06/05/2023
The City of San Diego invites you to attend the second Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project Community Workshop. Come meet the project team and share your ideas for what a renewed Ocean Beach Pier could look like.
Posted: 04/10/2023
The City of San Diego wants public input on whether to repair, rehabilitate or replace. For half a century, the Ocean Beach Pier has been a pillar of its San Diego community — for the fishers who have cast their lines over its rails, the junior lifeguards who’ve leaped from its platform, the locals who’ve watched Fourth of July fireworks launch off its decks, even the dolphins and pinnipeds who’ve swum through its base.
Posted: 04/06/2023
City Seeking Public Input Regarding Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project
SAN DIEGANS INVITED TO COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POTENTIAL LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THE PIER
SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego is hosting a series of upcoming community workshops to share information about the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project and gather input from community members.
This project aims to provide a long-term solution for the 56-year-old pier through a potential replacement.
Posted: 03/20/2023
City Seeking Public Input Regarding Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project
SAN DIEGANS INVITED TO COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POTENTIAL LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THE PIER
SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego is hosting a series of upcoming community workshops to share information about the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project and gather input from community members.
This project aims to provide a long-term solution for the 56-year-old pier through a potential replacement.
Posted: 05/06/2021
The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, one of the most visited landmarks in San Diego County, was officially christened and introduced to eager San Diegans on July 2, 1966. Currently as of May 6th the OB pier is currently closed for repairs.
Click here to watch a video by Trevor Watson.
Click here for more information about the OB Pier and it's re-opening.
