Pier Fishing in California - The Complete Coast and Bay Guide to Shore-Based Fishing

Nick’s Cove Pier — Marshall, Tomales Bay

Public Pier? — Status unclear, a fishing License may be required Although many small piers dot the shoreline of Tomales Bay, only two allow the public to fish from them. One is the private pier at Lawson’s Landing, just south of Sand Point and the…

Judge John Sutter Pier — Oakland

The Judge John Sutter Pier, part of the larger Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline Park and Pier, is one of the newest piers in the state opening in October 2020. I’ve only fished it once so these are preliminary notes/recommendations mainly based on reports from…

Chevys Pier — Emeryville

Public Access Area — Status Unclear — Fishing License May Be Required There are many small piers scattered along the shoreline of the East Bay, many not technically built for fishing but offering platforms for those who chose the piscatorial arts. This is one such…

Pier J Fishing Pier(s) — Long Beach

Public Access Area — Status Unclear — Fishing License May Be Required I first heard about the Pier J piers at the end of 2020. Given that I’ve been to the opening of a couple of piers, I was hoping to be one of the…

Huntington Beach Wave Motor Pier — Gone But Not Forgotten

Another Wave Motor Another wave motor has appeared, this time at Huntington Beach and only on paper, at that. But it is said to involve an entirely new principle and some glittering hopes are entertained by its inventors, Alva L. Reynolds and his brother. They…

Peck’s Pier & Bruces’ Beach — Manhattan Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

When anglers think of Manhattan Beach they think of the Manhattan Beach Pier, a pier first built in 1920 and one that has survived storm damage, multiple repairs, and renovations. It’s an icon in the city and has been declared a state historic landmark. …

Pine Avenue Pier #2 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

As the first Pine Avenue Pier neared its end, it was clear that Long Beach, a now popular seaside resort and quickly growing town, would need a new pier. A committee was formed to look at the latest methods of construction. It proposed a structure…

Pine Avenue Pier #1 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

With the loss of the Magnolia Avenue Pier, a new pier in Long Beach was needed. In response, Long Beach would build the original Pine Avenue Pier, the first municipally owned pier on the Pacific Coast. The pier was also the first purchase made by…

Magnolia Avenue Pier — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

In the 1870s, 4,000 acres of the local Rancho Los Cerritos (mainly used to raise sheep) was sold to William E. Willmore, who subdivided the land in hopes of forming a new community, one he would name after himself—Willmore City. Unfortunately for him, the real…

Rainbow Pier — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

Every March sees the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, a huge event filled with a plethora of booths and vendors offering merchandise and dreams that should be able to fill the cravings of every visiting angler. The sheer size of the show can be…