Manhattan Beach Pier, stretching 928 feet into the gleaming Pacific Ocean, is a quintessential Southern California landmark that offers a blend of history, recreation, and scenic beauty. Nestled at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, this iconic pier is a magnet for locals, tourists, photographers, and artists alike. Its Mediterranean-style octagonal building at the end houses the Roundhouse Aquarium, making it a hub of marine education and exploration.
The story of Manhattan Beach Pier is one of resilience and innovation. The journey began in 1897 when the Potencia Company envisioned a seaside resort complete with wharves and piers. Though the area was initially named Potencia, it was later incorporated as the city of Manhattan in 1912, with Beach being added in 1927. The first piers, built in 1901, were wooden structures that succumbed to the wrath of the ocean. The Center Street Pier, a narrow wooden deck supported by railroad rails driven into the ocean floor, was destroyed by a storm in 1913.
It wasn't until 1920 that the current pier, a cement structure with a circular end designed by engineer A.L. Harris, was completed. This innovative design minimized wave damage to the pilings, ensuring the pier's longevity. The octagonal house, now a lunch restaurant, was added in 1922. Despite extensions and further storm damage in the 1940s, the pier has stood the test of time. By the late 1980s, it required significant restoration, which was completed in the early 1990s, restoring its 1920s charm. In 1995, it was declared a state historic landmark, cementing its status as the oldest standing concrete pier on the West Coast.
At the end of the pier stands the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium, a beacon of marine education. Free to the public, the aquarium features a shark tank, a tide pool touch tank, and various exhibits showcasing Southern California's marine life. Visitors can marvel at lobsters, baby sharks, and colorful fish, both native and non-native. The aquarium underwent a significant renovation in 2018, reopening with a refreshed interior that continues to delight visitors of all ages.
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Manhattan Beach Pier is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. The sandy beach area yields a variety of surf species, including barred surfperch, croakers, small rays, and guitarfish. Anglers often catch hundreds of barred surfperch within an hour using small jigs and sand crabs. The area around the pilings is home to pileperch, walleye surfperch, and silver surfperch. Mid-pier, casting away from the pier, anglers can catch tom cod, herring, jacksmelt, yellowfin croaker, and occasionally halibut. The deepest water end, enhanced by an artificial reef, attracts bonito, Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, barracuda, and even yellowtail. While some resident species in Santa Monica Bay may be dangerous to eat, migratory species are considered safe.
The pier has played a significant role in the history of surfing. In the 1940s, it was a popular spot for Southern California surfers. The legendary Dale Velzy, the first commercial surfboard shaper, began his business under the pier before moving to a nearby storefront in 1949, establishing what is considered the first surf shop. Today, surfers continue to ride the waves beneath the pier, adding to its storied legacy.
Manhattan Beach Pier is also the starting point for the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race to Catalina Island. This grueling race, which challenges participants' endurance and skill, is commemorated by a sculpture of Duke Kahanamoku, flanked by a male knee paddler and a female prone paddler, installed in 2023. This tribute highlights the pier's significance in the world of paddleboarding and its connection to the sport's rich history.
The pier's picturesque setting has made it a favorite filming location for Hollywood. It has appeared in films such as Point Break (1991), where Keanu Reeves buys his surfboard from a shop on the pier, and Starsky & Hutch (2004), where Ben Stiller's character stretches under the pier. It also featured in Tequila Sunrise (1988) and the classic A Star is Born (1937). These appearances have cemented the pier's status as an iconic backdrop in popular culture.
Manhattan Beach Pier is not just a pier; it is a symbol of the community's resilience, innovation, and love for the ocean. Whether you're fishing, surfing, exploring the aquarium, or simply taking in the breathtaking sunset, the pier offers something for everyone. Its rich history and vibrant present make it a must-visit destination in Southern California, where every visit promises a new adventure.
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