Huntington Beach Pier
Encyclopedia
The Huntington Beach Pier is a municipal pier located in Huntington Beach, California
. At 1850 feet (563.9 m) in length, it is one of the longest public piers on the West Coast
. (The longest is Oceanside Pier
at 1,942 feet). It has been damaged or destroyed four times; in 1912, 1939, 1983 and most recently on January 17, 1988 destroying the End Cafe for the second time in the decade.
The most recent reincarnation of the pier is designed of reinforced concrete
to withstand 31 feet (9.4 m) waves
or a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and uses an increased space between piles to accommodate surfers - as requested by the City. The pier slopes gently up toward the seaward end in a straight line which alternates with three octagonal platforms and one rotated square (108 feet on a side) that forms a diamond at the pier's seaward end. Not only is the pier structurally sound, it also retains a number of design elements from the original pier including haunches at the pile caps and corbels supporting light standards.
The pier is frequented by sport fishermen as well as surfing
spectators. Ruby's Diner
is located at the end of the pier.
Live cameras are set up at the Huntington Beach Pier and shown on screens at the California-themed Hollister
apparel stores. The store pays the city for the cameras, with the money used to fund marine safety equipment. The cameras are also used by lifeguards.
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
. At 1850 feet (563.9 m) in length, it is one of the longest public piers on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
. (The longest is Oceanside Pier
Oceanside Pier
The Oceanside Pier, located in Oceanside, in northern San Diego County, California, is the longest wooden pier on the western United States coastline at .-History:Oceanside Pier was first built in 1888 at what is now Wisconsin Avenue...
at 1,942 feet). It has been damaged or destroyed four times; in 1912, 1939, 1983 and most recently on January 17, 1988 destroying the End Cafe for the second time in the decade.
The most recent reincarnation of the pier is designed of reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
to withstand 31 feet (9.4 m) waves
WAVES
The WAVES were a World War II-era division of the U.S. Navy that consisted entirely of women. The name of this group is an acronym for "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" ; the word "emergency" implied that the acceptance of women was due to the unusual circumstances of the war and...
or a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and uses an increased space between piles to accommodate surfers - as requested by the City. The pier slopes gently up toward the seaward end in a straight line which alternates with three octagonal platforms and one rotated square (108 feet on a side) that forms a diamond at the pier's seaward end. Not only is the pier structurally sound, it also retains a number of design elements from the original pier including haunches at the pile caps and corbels supporting light standards.
The pier is frequented by sport fishermen as well as surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
spectators. Ruby's Diner
Ruby's Diner
Ruby’s Diner is a restaurant chain that reproduces the look and feel of the classic American Diner. Bright red vinyl booths, white Formica tables, soda fountains, milkshakes, burgers, antique Coca-Cola posters and commercial art echo the Swing Era of the 1940’s...
is located at the end of the pier.
Live cameras are set up at the Huntington Beach Pier and shown on screens at the California-themed Hollister
Hollister Co.
Hollister Co., sometimes advertised as Hollister or HCo., is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. The concept was originally designed to attract consumers aged 14–18 through its SoCal-inspired image and casual wear. Goods are available in-store and through the company's online store...
apparel stores. The store pays the city for the cameras, with the money used to fund marine safety equipment. The cameras are also used by lifeguards.