Malibu Pier

Malibu pier is about a half hour drive west of Santa Monica, Los Angeles.

The pier was originally built in 1905 to be used as a transfer point for hides, grains, fruit and other agricultural products.  A tower, which was part of the original commercial operation, is still standing close to the pier.

In 1934, the pier opened to the public and became a big hit with fishermen.

The twin buildings at the end of the pier were constructed after a rebuild following a storm that destroyed the pier head in the winter of 1943 – 44.

In 1960, an artificial reef was created in the ocean about a mile south-east of the pier in an attempt to protect it from ocean damage.  The reef was composed of concrete pilings, derelict cars and other heavy junk.

In 1980 the State of California bought the pier, by then in a very battered condition, from private hands.

The El Niño storms in 1993 and again others in 1995 did severe damage.

In the late 90s California transferred ownership to the City of Malibu, with the provision that Malibu fix and maintain it, but as Malibu couldn’t afford to do that, ownership transferred back to the State.