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ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK, NEW JERSEY
Although not exactly a pier, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is a huge pier-like wooden deck running parallel to the beach and made of thousands of lengths of Brazilian hardwood and Long Leaf Yellow Southern Pine. Originally constructed in 1870 to prevent sand blowing into the adjacent hotels, the street side of the boardwalk is now home to a bewildering array of tourist attractions including hotels, restaurants, casinos, shops and, on the ocean side, there are several real piers. See the links below.
ATLANTIC CITY CENTRAL PIER, NEW JERSEY
The Central Pier was built in the mid 1880’s, making it one of the oldest buildings on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The Art Deco pavilion was added in the late 1920’s. It is currently home to an amusement arcade, shops, and go-kart rides. The current owners have plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the pier.
ATLANTIC CITY STEEL PIER, NEW JERSEY
First opened in June 1898, the Steel Pier is a 1,000 foot long (300 m) amusement pier located opposite the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The current concrete structure dates from 1993, the original wooden pier with steel underpinnings having been destroyed by fire in 1982. The pier will reportedly be redeveloped into retail and entertainment attractions along with luxury condominiums
ATLANTIC CITY GARDEN PIER, NEW JERSEY
Opened in 1913, the Garden Pier occupied an uptown location apart from the other piers in Atlantic City, although ultimately its uptown location made it less commercially successful. The part of the pier near, and on, the beach was restored and the pier now houses an Art Center and Historical Museum.
BALBOA PIER, NEWPORT BEACH, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Balboa Pier was constructed in 1906 as a sister project of the Balboa Pavilion, both structures being built to mark the opening of the southern terminus of the Pacific Electric Railway Red Car line from Long Beach. In the 1980s, Ruby’s Diner, a 1940s nostalgia-themed restaurant, opened on the pier and has since become a famous Orange County landmark.
BELMONT VETERANS MEMORIAL PIER, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
The current 1620 feet long concrete pier was built in 1966/67 to replace the original wooden pier which opened on Christmas Eve 1917. Its unique setting, protected by the Long Beach Wall allows for a particularly wide range of boating and fishing activities and the pier has a restaurant with patio and enclosed upper deck.
DAYTONA BEACH MAIN STREET PIER, FLORIDA
Over the years, the pier has withstood the constant pounding of the Atlantic surf, fire and hurricanes, but it still stands, just as it was built in 1925. It has been known as the Ocean Pier, Keating Pier, Pier Casino, Main Street Pier and now the Daytona Beach Pier, but to most people it is simply known as “the pier” – the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach and source of many Daytona memories.
DAYTONA BEACH SUNGLOW PIER, FLORIDA
A large, well lighted fishing pier that features fish cleaning areas, a bait shack, bench seats, a full service restaurant, and pole rentals, situated in Daytona Beach Shores. Crabby Joe’s is a small seafood restaurant on the pier that offers traditional seafood while you can sit and take in the beautiful view of Daytona.
GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER, TEXAS
Opened in 2012, the current pier features rides, arcade games, food venues and retail shops and was built where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943 until destroyed by a hurricane in 1961. This was replaced in 1965 by the Flagship Hotel, built over the water but demolished after damage by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
HERMOSA BEACH PIER, CALIFORNIA
The first pier at Hermosa Beach was built in In 1904. It was 500 feet long and constructed entirely of wood, including the pilings. However, this pier was partly washed away in 1913 and later demolished to make way for the existing pier which is 1000 feet long and of concrete construction. A pavilion was added in 1914.
HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER, CALIFORNIA
Huntington Beach is Surf City USA and the Huntington Beach Pier is the iconic heart of the city. There have been piers at Huntington since the early 1900s. The current pier measures 1,853 feet and is built in the historic architectural style of its 1914 predecessor.
JACKSONVILLE BEACH PIER, FLORIDA
The current 1,320 feet long pier was built in 2004 to replace the earlier pier, built in 1959, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and subsequently demolished. The new pier was designed to withstand the worst that the Atlantic Ocean can dish out but was built some distance from the original pier’s site.
JENNETTE’S PIER, NORTH CAROLINA
Primarily a fishing pier, Jennette’s Pier was was 754 feet long, 16 feet wide, with a 28-foot-wide “T” on the end, when first completed in 1939. Numerous storms battered the structure over the years but now, with its 1,000-foot long fishing platform, 16,000-square foot pier house and numerous educational opportunities, this state-owned and operated facility celebrates Fishing, Families and Fun!
MALIBU PIER, CALIFORNIA
A Southern California icon in an area once called the Riviera of America, this historic landmark is located in the heart of California’s surf culture. With its festive seaside atmosphere of good food and fun, Malibu Pier is popular with the surfers from around the world come to the adjacent Surfrider Beach.
MOREY’S PIERS, WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY
First opened by the Morey brothers in 1969 as a single pier, Morey’s Piers has now grown into a seaside amusement park featuring a group of three large piers – Surfside Pier, Adventure Pier, and Mariner’s Landing Pier – famous for their spectacular roller-coaster rides.
NAVY PIER, CHICAGO
Located on Lake Michigan, just East of Chicago’s Downtown, Navy Pier has been a Chicago landmark since it first opened in 1916. The pier now showcases a unique collection of restaurants and shops in addition to unequalled recreational and exhibition facilities – in a setting like no other.
OCEAN BEACH PIER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
A pier has existed here since 1888 but in several different locations to the current one which was erected in 1966. This is one of the longest piers on the West Coast at 1971 feet, just under 1/3 mile long and has restrooms, a bait and tackle shop, snack shop, fish cleaning stations, benches and lights.
OCEANSIDE PIER, CALIFORNIA
Oceanside has had six piers altogether, the first one dating from 1888. The concrete approach to the current pier was built in 1925; the wooden portion in 1988. At 1,954 feet, this pier is the longest wooden pier on the west coast.
PIER 39, CALIFORNIA
Opened in 1978 and incorporating authentic 1910 wood from Piers 34 and 3, Pier 39 is located in Fisherman’s Wharf on San Francisco Bay and provides a festival marketplace featuring 110 specialty shops and 14 full-service restaurants serving great seafood, and California cuisine accompanied by beautiful Bay views.
REDONDO PIER, CALIFORNIA
Built originally in 1889, today the Redondo Beach Pier and International Boardwalk are a family destination featuring over 50 dining, entertainment and shopping choices and within walking distance to beautiful seaside accommodations.
SANTA CRUZ WHARF, CALIFORNIA
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a popular location for fishing, boat tours, viewing sea lions, dining, and gift shops. The current wharf was built in 1914, the last of six built on the site, and is operated by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Office.
SANTA MONICA PIER, CALIFORNIA
First opened to the public in September 1909, the beautiful Santa Monica Pier now offers a variety of entertainment, dining and shopping experiences, including the thrill rides of Pacific Park; a historic 1922 Carousel, and an interactive aquarium.
ST PETE PIER, FLORIDA
The Inverted Pyramid Pier first opened its doors in January 1973. That pier was closed in 2013, and the new 26-acre Pier District opened on July 6, 2020, a $92 million dollar project that includes five restaurants, a playground, an environmental education center, and numerous artworks.