California Piers - BEACH CALIFORNIA PIER PHOTOS

Piers Beach California - Huntington Beach Pier

From California Beaches web site comes this photo of the Huntington Beach Pier at sunset. The Huntington Beach Pier has been built and destroyed by nature several times during its hundred year history as a fishing pier, attraction, lookout point for enemy attack during WWII and pleasure pier in later years.

Huntington Beach Pier in its current form is an engineering design built to withstand large storms that destroyed other forms of the pier previously. It's concrete pilings are epoxy coated with a special chemical that protects piling strength for longevity. It's absolutely a delight to stroll the pier at sunset and watch the light fade into night. Take a jacket!

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California Piers - Beach California Photos include pictures of over 20 piers in California. The history of the California piers and beaches that lead to this interesting structures begins around the time of the California Gold Rush when commerce was in full swing and ports were needed to get goods to a booming populace. Back to BEACH PHOTOS

California Pier structures generally made from wood, cement and other materials are beautiful to photograph, especially at sunset.

California piers and wharfs often began simply for the use of docking ships to load and unload cargo. During the time when the only personal vehicular traffic was by horse and stage coach, an infrastructure of steam engine trains was built as close as possible to the piers and wharfs. It was the best mode of transportation for getting the food and products to the growing town and cities.

As California grew during a 50 year period from 1850 to 1900, a new, popular form of entertainment was invented in California to entice tourists and settlers to the far reaches of the California beaches. Pleasure piers were created in grand style, complete with amusements, roller coasters and were often connected to additional entertainment popular during the prohibition—rum runner gambling ships off shore.

From San Diego's Belmont Park with The Plunge Pool (still in operation) at the beach to Seal Beach's Scintillator Thrill Ride, Long Beach Pike (re-created recently minus the rides), Santa Monica Pier amusements (refurbished and operating today), the Cement Ship (now in ruins) near Santa Cruz and the most glorious Santa Cruz Board Walk, the finest example of California beach entertainment that's still operating successfully, California pier amusements brought the people to the coast and got them to do what was hoped. They bought land, settled and now make up the largest population of California residents as coastal dwellers.

Pier 39 at San Francisco has long remained an entertainment complex as well. It includes ports for boat tours, restaurants, shops and some museums. Pier 39 reflects the modern-day approach to pier development. Thrill rides are not prevalent.

The piers tend to provide a few shops, restaurants and what came into being as the Pier Fishing regulation. In the early 1900s, it was determined that while so many regulations were required to fish on the California coast, one exemption was created and remains in place—pier fishing. Unfortunately the fish caught at many of California's piers near cities are not recommended for consumption or not recommended for pregnant women or for eating in small quantities. The one free source of food is not generally a reliable food stuff for those who fish at California piers. California pier fishing is a mainly a sport. California Piers - more Also check below for list of California Fishing Piers listing availability of handicap parking and restroom facilities. MORE INFORMATION

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HP = Handicapped Parking
HR = Handicapped Restrooms

ALAMEDA Berkeley Fishing Pier, HP, Staghorn sculpin, surfperch, jacksmelt, Not posted

F.D. Roosevelt Fishing Pier, HR, Not available Pier parking lot is usually filled by nonpier users; the pier receives little use as a fishing area, Not posted

San Leandro Fishing Platform, No HP or HR, Staghorn sculpin, Not posted,

CONTRA COSTA

Antioch Pier, San Joaquin River, No HP or HR, Catfish, striped bass, Posted

Martinez Fishing Pier, HP, Not available, Not know if posted

Pt. Pinole Fishing Pier, HP; HR, Staghorn sculpin, surfperch, Pier is well-traveled but wheelchairs and crutches can be used, Not posted

FRESNO

California Aqueduct, Highway 198, No HP or HR, Warmwater fish, striped bass, Posted

San Joaquin Hatchery Settling Ponds, No HP or HR, Trout Open to general public with good access by crutches, Not posted

HUMBOLDT

Mouth of Mad River, FA No HP or HR, Salmon, steelhead, sculpin, starry flounder, surfperch, Ordinary restrooms, good fishing access, Not posted

IMPERIAL

Finney-Ramer Unit, No HP or HR, Catfish, bass, Good access, Not posted

Wister Wildlife Unit, No HP or HR, Catfish, bass, crappie, bluegill, Good fishing access for disabled, Not posted

KINGS

California Aqueduct—Avenal Cutoff Fishing Access Site, No HP or HR, Warmwater fish, striped bass, Not posted

California Aqueduct—Kettleman City Fishing Access Site, No HP or HR, Warmwater fish, striped bass, Not known if posted

LOS ANGELES

Cabrillo Fishing Pier, HP, White croaker, Pacific mackerel, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface cement; rail height 44 inches, Posted

Malibu Pier, HP, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Newly refurbished by the Wildlife Conservation Board explicitly for the handicapped

Manhattan Pier, HP, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface cement; rail height 36 inches, Posted

Redondo Beach Fishing Pier, No HP or HR, Silversides, jacksmelt, halibut, Some restroom stalls large enough for wheelchairs; pier surface wood; rail height 44 inches, Not posted

Santa Monica Pier, HP, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface wood and cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted

Venice Fishing Pier, HP, Pacific mackerel, queenfish, jack mackerel, halibut, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface cement; rail height 41 inches, Posted

MARIN

Paradise Beach Fishing Pier, HP (1 space); HR, Surfperch, Staghorn sculpin, County operated; trails can be steep but should not be a deterrent, Not posted

MERCED

Los Banos Wildlife Area, No HP or HR, Catfish, carp, crappie, bass, Available to general public, Not posted

Mojave Narrows Regional Park (owned SAN JOAQUIN by DFG, leased and managed by county), No HP or HR, Largemouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout, bluegill, bullhead catfish, Fairly good access for disabled, Not posted

MONTEREY

Monterey Wharf #2, HP (1 space), Mackerel, bonito, sanddabs, starry flounder, jacksmelt, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 43 inches; continuous 8-inch curb runs entire length of pier making access to railing difficult, Not known if posted

ORANGE

Balboa Pier, HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 36 inches, Posted

Dana Point Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface wood; rail height 36 inches, Posted

Huntington Pier, HR, Surfperch, corbina, mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 30 inches, Posted

Newport Pier, HP; HR, Surtperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 36 inches, Posted

San Clemente Pier, HP; HR, Croaker, topsmelt, mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted

Seal Beach Fishing Pier, HP, White croaker, California halibut, yellowfin croaker, Pacific mackerel, ordinary restrooms; pier surface wood and cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted

SAN DIEGO

Chula Vista, "J" Street Marina, HP; HR, Smelt, perch, guitarfish, croaker, pier surface cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted

Embarcadero Fishing Pier (foot of Fifth Avenue), HP; HR, Smelt, turbot, bass, croaker, halibut, pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted

Imperial Beach Pier, HP, Jacksmelt, mackerel, halibut, bass, croakers, opaleye, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface pavement over planking; rail height 41 inches, Posted

Ocean Beach Fishing Pier, HR, Queenfish, topsmelt, mackerel, bass, Access to pier from parking lot is either up stairs or a block long public ramp, Posted

Oceanside Harbor, HP, Smelt, perch, rays, guitarfish, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 44 inches, Posted

Shelter Island, HP, Smelt, turbot, bass, croaker, halibut, rays guitarfish, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted

SAN FRANCISCO

Brisbane Fishing Pier, HP; HR, Staghorn, sculpin, Surfperch, Handicapped parking and restrooms are at marina gate; paths are level and paved, Not posted

Candlestick State Park, HP; HR, Staghorn sculpin, Surfperch, Pier is quite a distance from the parking area, Not posted

Fort Point Fishing Pier, HR, Staghorn sculpin, Surfperch, Not posted

SAN JOAQUIN

White Slough, No HP or HR, Bass, sunfish, catfish, Posted

SAN LUIS OBISPO

Avila Pier, HP, Mackerel, white croaker, surfperch, occasional halibut, Pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches; reconstruction anticipated that will include handicapped restroom; concrete ramp to pier, Not known if posted

Cayucos Pier, HP, Pacific mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt, surfperch, juvenile bocaccio (summer), occasional halibut, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planking; rail height 39 inches, Not posted

North T-Pier, HR, Jacksmelt, Pacific mackerel, surfperch, occasional halibut, Commercial fishing dock with public access for fishing; plenty of parking in area with easy access to pier; pier surface planking; no rail; 7.5 inch curb, Posted

Pismo Beach Pier, HP; HR, Mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt, perch, occasional halibut, Pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted

Port San Luis Pier, HP; HR, Mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt, perch, occasional halibut, Pier surface planked; rail height 35-42 inches, Not known if posted

San Simeon Pier, No HP or HR, Surfperch, jacksmelt, white croaker, occasional halibut, No handicapped facilities, but easy access to pier for disabled with ample parking nearby; pier surface planking; rail height 46 inches; pier maintained by California Department of Parks and Recreation, Not posted

South T-Pier, No HP or HR, Pacific mackerel, surfperch, jacksmelt, Commercial fishing dock with public access for fishing; ample parking in area with easy access to pier; pier surface planking; no rail; 7.5 inch curb, Posted

SAN MATEO

Half Moon Bay (Johnson's Pier), HP; HR, Surfperch, flounder, kingfish, occasional striped bass, Not known if posted

Oyster Pt. Fishing Pier, HR, Surfperch Accessible by wheelchair and crutches, Not posted

Pacifica Fishing Pier, HP, Staghorn sculpin, white croaker, surfperch, Ramp on south side, Not posted

SANTA BARBARA

Gaviota Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface wood; rail height 42 inches, Posted

Goleta Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, mackerel, Pier surface wood; rail height 42 inches, Posted

SANTA CRUZ

Camp Campbell, San Lorenzo River, No HP or HR, Rainbow trout, Posted

Capitola Wharf, HP, Perch, mackerel, jacksmelt, rockfish, flatfish, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Not known if posted

Loch Lomond Reservoir, No HP or HR, Rainbow trout, catfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, Posted

Pinto Lake, No HP or HR, Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, sunfish, rainbow trout, Posted

Santa Cruz Wharf, HP; HR, Pacific mackerel, jacksmelt, sculpin, perch, flatfish, occasional steelhead salmon, surface paved; rail height 42 inches; wooden curb extends length of parking area with occasional openings for wheelchair access, Posted

Seacliff Wharf and Cement Boat, HP; HR, Perch, jacksmelt, mackerel, sculpin, Handicapped parking at foot of pier; surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted

SHASTA

Anderson River Park, No HP or HR, Steelhead trout, Not posted

SOLANO

Pt. Benicia Fishing Pier, No HP or HR, Flounder, bullhead, Not posted

SONOMA

Jenner Visitor Center, No HP or HR, Steelhead, coho, topsmelt, striped bass, Good access, Not posted

TUOLUMNE

Moccasin Creek (at hatchery standby pump platform), No HP or HR, Trout, all kinds, Not posted

VENTURA

Port Hueneme Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface is wood; rail height 42 inches, Posted

Ventura Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface wood and cement; rail height 36.5 inches, Posted

Beach Photos contains pictures from California Beaches - Beachcalifornia site that we were unable to highlight on the cities and beaches pages. In this location we can post pictures and images that don't fit inside the box, so to speak. They offer interest, impact or are just plain fun but we separate them because they feel like gallery offerings. Each photo could be tied to a story and sometimes it is when you find information of value beneath the picture.