Pismo Beach Pier Pismo Beach Pier

In 1881, the original Pismo Beach Pier opened for business. But not tourist business, commercial business. The Meherin Brothers and the nearby Arroyo Grande merchants were credited for starting this venture of a commercial pier intended to save the county residents and merchants thousands of dollars each year from the fees the large steamer line charged. Built for a cost of $14,613 as a result of selling $20 per share stock to local farmers and merchants, the pier quickly gained favor. By the end of 1882, with over 38 ships loaded and unloaded on the pier,  county residents had saved over $35,000 in fees the first year alone. In 1892 however, a heavy load of bituminous rock waiting on the pier to be shipped to San Francisco for use in paving projects caused the wharf to collapse during an ocean storm. Finally in 1924 a new pier was built that extended 1,700 feet out to sea, enabling deep hulled Navy ships to unload personnel and load cargo. Another storm in the early 1930's destroyed about 500 feet off the west end of the pier and that portion was never repaired. The year 1983 brought another storm that would destruct so much of the pier that it needed major restoration in 1985-1986 at a cost of over $1,000,000. This is the pier that exists today, some 1,370 feet long and constructed using a combination of steel and wood pilings. It is built over one of the finest sand beaches in California. Digging for the Pismo clam is popular here though the clams have drastically decreased over the years due to over use.

Today, the pier is used by many local recreational fisherman. In this sunset photo taken June  2012, several cantilevered fishing decks are shown. Popular fish species caught here include the snapper, bocaccio, croaker, calico surfperch, rubberlip seaperch, blackperch, sandsole, mackerel and halibut. 

Photo taken with a Nikon D7000, 24-75mm lens set at 24mm, 1/100th at f11 with ISO 200.