Ventura’s famed pier reopened Saturday after huge waves damaged the landmark last year.
Social media posts and news videos showed people marching onto the pier early Saturday with fishing rods, coolers and folding chairs. The pier is California’s oldest pier and is a popular fishing and sightseeing attraction, attracting tourists, families and couples.
“The Ventura Pier is open!” the city of Ventura announced on its X feed.
In January 2023, a winter storm brought huge waves to the boardwalk.
Mary Joyce Ivers, deputy public works director for the city of Ventura, told KTLA the city must replace 37 wood pilings that support the pier deck, as well as 100 hardware and cross bracing and 3,000 square feet of deck board .
“This is an important part of our city,” Evers told KTLA. “It’s a great landmark and there are a lot of great things happening on this pier for families and our community.”
Repairs will cost at least $3.3 million, and the federal and state governments are expected to foot the bill, according to a city news release.
The pier was originally built in 1872 as a private commercial pier and has been restored or rebuilt numerous times throughout its history. It was closed for 13 months in 1992 due to wave washouts and reopened after a $3.5 million restoration.
Most recently, it was closed for several months for repairs in 2015 due to another storm.
Ventura purchased the pier in 1940 for $7,000 but gave it to the country in 1949.
In 1990, the city decided to take the building back after state officials said they were considering demolishing it because of high maintenance costs.
