The wooden, historic Ventura Pier will reopen to the public on Saturday, June 29, after being closed for nearly a year and a half due to storm damage in 2023.
Built in 1872, the pier has undergone extensive repairs since its closure in January 2023 to ensure safety and structural integrity.
It was once the longest wooden pier in California, at 1,620 feet, supported by 372 wooden pilings.
Winter storms and heavy surf in 2023 caused significant damage, including 37 missing or broken wooden poles, 24 dislodged poles and more than 100 damaged or missing brackets.
In response to the severity of damage from the storm, the city declared a local state of emergency to expedite disaster response and emergency funding from the state. The city council officially ratified the local state of emergency in January 2024.
“This event is a long-awaited celebration and an important milestone in the preservation of our cherished coastal landmark. We are excited to reopen the pier for all to enjoy,” said City Manager Bill Ayub.
“City personnel, along with the County of Ventura and local and state agencies, responded quickly to emergencies, cleared debris, reopened public areas and conducted shoreline mitigation efforts to ensure the safety of the pier.”
The $3.384 million repair bill will be 94% reimbursed by FEMA and the state, according to the city of Ventura. The city also received a $40,000 donation from the nonprofit Pier Into the Future, with funding from other city sources.
Designated as Ventura Historic Landmark No. 20, also includes the pier suffered storm damage in 2016when it was closed for nearly five months for repairs.
