OC is home to some of the state’s most iconic piers, some being the longest structures in the state, while others carry rich cultural history dating back to the early 1800s.
Editor’s note: This is an occasional series where Voice of OC works with local community photographers to offer residents a first-hand look at the local sites and scenes of Orange County.
Just above the shorelines where fading noises of the street become drowned out by the rhythm of the waves, six iconic piers that carry a rich, cultural history stretch from Orange County’s coast over the Pacific.
For many OC residents, these piers represent more than steel and wood walkways where land meets the ocean—but more importantly, places to think, to escape, and to simply be.
A pier is a raised structure built over the water, typically utilized for fishing, strolling, or docking boats, differentiating it from a wharf, which runs along the shore for loading cargo, or a jetti, which is built with the intention to protect the coast from erosion and guide boat traffic.
Once home to eleven piers, Orange County now has six major piers. Spread out across the coast, each pier reflects the unique characteristics of the city that they reside in and carry their own distinct cultural history.
In California, where there are 80 piers, here is what Orange County has to offer:
Seal Beach Pier
Originally built in 1906, Orange County’s most northern pier has undergone three reconstruction periods over the years. Today, it is the longest wooden pier in Orange County and second longest in the state of California, extending 1,865 feet from the Coast over the Pacific Ocean.
Located in the City of Seal Beach, the pier itself reflects the calm nature of the city. With no official vending stalls, the long walkway serves as a place for unhurried conversations, unwinding walks, and a home for memories.
Charles Wong, a resident of Cypress, California, often returns to the pier in remembrance. “It’s wonderful to walk here and enjoy the ocean, the scent of the sea breeze, and the sun shining on your skin,” he said.
“I have many wonderful memories of coming here — including with people who are no longer here. It’s not as commercialized as the Santa Monica Pier, which means it’s a lot less crowded. It’s one of the hidden jewels of Southern California beach life,” says Wong.
Further down the pier, Thuy Pham, a 63 year old resident of Long Beach casts his line off the pier,“ I come here to relax. I don’t come to fish — I keep my expectations low. If I catch something, I’m happy, and if I don’t, I’m still happy,” Pham says. “Either way, it’s still beautiful… the sun and the water — it’s beautiful”.
Huntington Pier
First constructed in 1904, Huntington’s Pier experienced a number of rebuilds following storms and earthquakes. Today, the Huntington Beach Pier extends 1,850 feet and is seen by many as the heart of Huntington Beach.
The municipal pier is also registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Unlike the meditative nature of the Seal Beach Pier, Huntington’s pier thrives on energy and is both a space that houses skaters, tourists, and surf photographers as well as residents who simply wish to reflect.
As festive music drums in the background, Mike Baumea, a long-time resident of the Huntington area, reflects on the nature of the city’s pier. “I’ve always been within a couple of blocks of here.”
Newport Pier
Built in the original location of the McFadden Wharf in 1888, Newport Pier was constructed in 1940 following a major storm in that destroyed the original wharf.
Following reconstruction and repurposing for recreation, Newport Beach Pier stands at 1,032 feet long and is a popular destination for walking, fishing, and people-watching.
Newport Beach Pier bustles with life, from bikers to fishers to observers. Spanning generations, it offers something for everyone, from the curious eyes of a child to a longtime local.
Santiago Quina, 19, is a pier regular, “I come here on the weekends and on Fridays. I like the vibe for people and for the ocean. It’s cool for a community because it always feels good seeing people smiling and you feel comfortable in the space,” says Quina.
Nearby, Richard Castillo protectively holds his son to the ledge to get a better glimpse of the sea beneath them. “It’s pretty cool to walk above the ocean and to daydream,” Castillo says. “This is my first time coming here — it’s beautiful, and the weather is nice.”
While the father and son appreciate the ocean, others nearby cast their fishing lines over the edge to try and catch fish.
Quan Vuong is one of those fishermen. “I came to get some relaxation after eight hours of work. This pier is roomy and the fish bite pretty hard,” he says.
Having come out for five years, Vuong has experienced many good memories including, “[during] the summer time when everybody catches fish”.
As the sun begins to set into the sea, a quiet energy settles into the air as the sky shifts from blue to light, scattered pinks.
Daniella Munoz, a resident of Newport Beach, soaks in the setting sun, “I love coming here to end my day and calm my mind,” she says.
Balboa Pier
Just a few miles down, Balboa pier offers similar views.
Built in 1906 as part of the original Balboa Pavilion development, Balboa pier stretches 920 feet into the pacific. Although smaller than its Newport Beach Pier neighbor, this pier still remains a landmark of the Balboa Peninsula. Associated with its casual charm and fishing access, the pier is also a longtime home of Ruby’s Diner.
Similar to its larger neighbor, Balboa Pier attracts a similar crowd: a mix of fishermen searching for their next catch, families looking for a way to wind down, and an assortment of bikers who wish to explore unique terrains . However, with the diner at the end of the pier, many people are drawn to the unique, sit-down food environment that Ruby’s offers.
Sitting in the corner booth of the diner, Tracie Moul and her two children enjoy a hearty meal of fast food as they watch the sun set beneath the ocean.
As her children play and playfully tumble across the table, Tracie says, “My husband goes fishing and their [the children’s] routine is we come here to the diner and we go to the park that’s right here at the end of the pier. They have everything that is perfect for them. They like to come and get their ice cream. We come here at least once a week”.
For her family, this pier serves as a place of routine and also a space heavily associated with a sense of family.
Dana Point Pier
Technically a part of Dana Point Harbor, some locals refer to it as Dana Point Wharf and is the county’s youngest pier. Unlike its pier siblings, the Dana Point Pier rests within a quiet harbor cove, with sailboats and cliffs as its neighbor.
Despite its short length, it still holds an abundance of charm, according to locals.
Noe Zuniga casts his line off the side of the pier, “I’ve been here four or five times.” he says, “My friend caught his first Halibut yesterday”.
San Clemente Pier
San Clemente Pier is the southernmost Orange County pier and rounds off the list. First built in 1928, San Clemente Pier experienced major rebuilds following storm damage in 1939 and 1983. Spanning approximately 1,296 feet, this pier is located at the base of the city’s terraced bluffs.
Framed by palm trees, tiled rooftops, and the tracks of the Amtrak trains, the San Clemente Pier provides visitors with a unique visual experience.
“I was visiting friends in the OC, and on my way back I thought, ‘This is such a beautiful pier — I wanted to come down, get a little fresh air, and check out the surfers,’” says Paul Peterson of Encinitas, California.
“Every time I come to the beach and the ocean, it never gets old to me. I love coming here.”