Is the Ocean Beach Pier open? 2026 status and rebuild timeline
No. The Ocean Beach Pier has been closed since October 2023 and sits behind locked gates. As of August 2026 the City says the replacement is still in permitting and environmental review, with a draft report expected in 2027.
- Pier status
- Closed
- Rebuild cost
- $170M-$190M
- Funding secured
- $8.4M
- Draft EIR
- Spring 2027
Since October 2023
City estimate, subject to change
State funds designated
Per City spokesman, Aug 2026
The short version
- Closed since October 2023; the City says it will not be repaired
- Rebuild estimate: $170 million to $190 million
- Only $8.4 million in state funding is designated so far
- Draft environmental report expected spring 2027 per the City
- Wednesday farmers market on Newport Ave, 4 to 8 p.m.
The Ocean Beach Pier is closed, and it is not coming back soon. The City shut it in October 2023 after high surf damage, then decided that major rehabilitation is not feasible and moved to replace it instead. As of August 2026 the project is in permitting and environmental review, and a FOX 5 report from October 21, 2026 says visitors can only look at it from outside locked gates.
The pier opened July 2, 1966 as a free public fishing pier.
The pier, 1966 to the rebuild
- Jul 1966
Pier opens
Free public sport fishing pier, 1,971 feet long
- Oct 2023
Closed after surf damage
The City judged major rehabilitation not feasible and pursued replacement
- 2026Now
Permitting and environmental review
Last of five public design workshops was Oct 2024; still behind locked gates
- Spring 2027
Draft environmental report
Expected for public review, per a City spokesman
- Early 2029
Construction start (projected)
Times of San Diego reported construction running into 2032
- Jul 1966
Pier opens
Free public sport fishing pier, 1,971 feet long
- Oct 2023
Closed after surf damage
The City judged major rehabilitation not feasible and pursued replacement
- Now2026
Permitting and environmental review
Last of five public design workshops was Oct 2024; still behind locked gates
- Spring 2027
Draft environmental report
Expected for public review, per a City spokesman
- Early 2029
Construction start (projected)
Times of San Diego reported construction running into 2032
Sources: City of San Diego project page; Times of San Diego (Aug 18, 2026). Future dates are City projections and have slipped before.
What the City says now
The City's project page puts the total cost at $170 million to $190 million, including community engagement through construction, with $8.4 million in state funding designated so far and more state and federal grants to be pursued. A City spokesman told Times of San Diego the environmental impact report can take two to five years. Reporting does not agree on every date: the City spokesman said a draft report in spring 2027 and construction around early 2029, while FOX 5 reported mid-2027 for the draft and a goal of starting demolition and reconstruction by 2030. Treat all dates as estimates.
What to do nearby instead
- Newport Avenue. The Ocean Beach farmers market runs Wednesdays, 4 to 8 p.m., in the 4900 block of Newport Ave between Cable and Bacon streets.
- The beach and tide pools. The OB community site says the tide pools below the pier are open to the public; check the tide and any posted signs first.
- Dog Beach. One of the first official leash-free beaches in the country, at the end of I-8 at the mouth of the San Diego River.
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. A 68-acre City park running about 1.5 miles along the Point Loma coast.
Sunset Cliffs is a short drive south of the pier; stay back from the cliff edges.
For more no-cost plans, see our free things to do in San Diego and things to do in San Diego in November.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on October 28, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Event dates, times and prices are set by the organizers and can change or sell out. Confirm with the organizer's own page before you plan around them.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryOcean Beach Pier Renewal
City of San Diego · Checked October 28, 2026
Cost range, $8.4M funding, closure history, swimming restriction, workshops, June 2026 timeline
Times of San Diego · August 18, 2026
City spokesman on spring 2027 draft EIR and early 2029 construction
FOX 5 San Diego (via Yahoo) · October 21, 2026
Locked gates, mid-2027 draft EIR, 2030 goal
- BackgroundSpectacular Attractions
Ocean Beach MainStreet Association · Checked October 28, 2026
Farmers market, Dog Beach, Sunset Cliffs, tide pools