Manhattan Beach Pier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manhattan Beach Pier |
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The municipal pier in downtown Manhattan Beach on a typical fall afternoon
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| Location | The west end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, California |
| Built | 1920 |
| Architect | City Engineer A.L. Harris |
| Official name: Manhattan Beach State Pier | |
| Reference no. | 1018 |
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The Manhattan Beach Pier is a famous pier in Manhattan Beach, California. It stretches out into the Pacific Ocean. The pier is about 928 feet (283 meters) long. You can find it at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
At the very end of the pier, there's a cool eight-sided building. This building is home to the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab & Aquarium. If you visit, you'll often see surfers riding waves right below the pier. The pier also has a "Volleyball Walk of Fame." It shows plaques honoring past champions of the Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament. Many people love the pier, including locals, visitors, photographers, and artists. It's also a great spot for fishing and watching beautiful sunsets.
Contents
The Pier's Story
Early Days
Back in 1897, a company called Potencia wanted to build a seaside resort. They planned to have wharves and piers. The area was first called Potencia. Later, it became the city of Manhattan in 1912. The word "Beach" was added in 1927.
People believe a pier was one of the first things built in Manhattan Beach. Two wooden piers were made in 1901. One was at Center Street (now Manhattan Beach Boulevard). The other was at Marine Avenue, called Peck's Pier and Pavilion.
The Center Street Pier was about 900 feet (274 meters) long. Its supports were made from three railroad rails driven into the ocean floor. It had a narrow wooden deck. This "old iron pier" was destroyed by a big storm in 1913.
Building the Current Pier
After the old pier was destroyed, it took a while to build a new one. There were money problems, lawsuits, more storms, and even World War I. Finally, the current pier was finished and opened on July 5, 1920.
An engineer named A.L. Harris designed the pier. He came up with the idea of a rounded end. This design helped the pier stand up better against big waves. The pier is made of cement and is 928 feet (283 meters) long. The eight-sided building at the end was finished in 1922.
In 1928, a 200-foot (61-meter) wooden part was added to the pier. But a storm destroyed it in 1940. In 1991, the pier was fixed up to look like it did in the 1920s. It was rededicated in 1992.
In 1946, the pier and beach were given to the state of California. Over the years, the pier got old and needed many repairs. By the 1980s, it was in rough shape.
The pier was restored in the early 1990s. The goal was to keep its old-time look. In 1995, the pier was named a state historic landmark. It is the oldest concrete pier still standing on the West Coast.
Fun Things to Do
Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium
The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium is at the very end of the pier. It's free to visit! The aquarium has a shark tank and a touch tank with animals from Southern California. You can also see lobsters, baby sharks, and colorful fish.
In 2018, the aquarium was closed for a big renovation. The sea creatures moved to a temporary spot. The aquarium reopened on November 5, 2018, with a brand new inside. The building has a Spanish tile roof and special lights.
Fishing
The Manhattan Beach Pier is a great place to fish! Near the beach, you can catch fish like barred surfperch, croakers, and small rays. The pier is especially known for its barred surfperch. Sometimes, anglers catch hundreds of them quickly!
In the middle of the pier, you might catch white croaker, queenfish, and jacksmelt. Sometimes, even a halibut is caught. At the deepest end of the pier, there's an artificial reef. Here, you can find fish like bonito, Pacific mackerel, and barracuda. You might even see a white seabass or yellowtail!
Surfing
The pier has an important place in surfing history. In the 1940s, it was a popular spot for surfers in Southern California. This was when modern surfing was just starting.
Dale Velzy, who was the first person to make surfboards for sale, began his business right under the pier. He would build and fix boards there. In 1949, he opened a shop nearby. This was considered the first surf shop ever!
In Movies
The Manhattan Beach Pier has been featured in several movies:
- Point Break (1991) – Keanu Reeves' character buys a surfboard from a shop on the pier.
- Starsky & Hutch (2004) – Starsky (Ben Stiller) is seen stretching under the pier.
- Tequila Sunrise (1988) – Mel Gibson's character lives near the pier on the beach.
California Historical Landmark
The pier is a California Historical Landmark. A special marker (number 1018) tells its story:
- NO. 1018 MANHATTAN BEACH STATE PIER - Designed by City Engineer A.L. Harris, this pier was constructed by the City of Manhattan Beach during the years 1917-1920. The roundhouse building was added a year later. Harris' innovative design featured a rounded end to the pier, which helped it withstand the pounding of the Pacific. Although the roundhouse was reconstructed in 1989, the pier itself survives as Southern California's oldest remaining example of early reinforced concrete pier construction.
Images for kids
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The pier from Manhattan Beach Boulevard
