City Closes Pier In Pacifica Again After Cracks, Separation Found Near Abutment

PACIFICA, CA — The city of Pacifica has closed the Pacifica Municipal Pier after inspectors discovered cracking and separation in the concrete walkway near the pier abutment, the city announced Thursday.

The pier at 2100 Beach Blvd. will remain closed until a structural engineer completes an assessment and approves it for public use, officials said. The cause of the latest damage has not yet been determined.

It is the first closure announced in nearly two years for the 1,140-foot pier, which has repeatedly opened and closed for repairs over the past decade. The most recent major damage occurred on Dec. 28, 2023, when powerful waves and high tides severely damaged the structure, prompting the city to declare it unsafe and close it for structural assessment and repairs in early 2024.

The pier reopened only partially following that event due to sustained damage, a status the city announced in June 2024.

Built in 1973, the L-shaped pier stretches along Sharp Park Beach and has long been a popular fishing destination.

A 2023 condition assessment estimated the cost of full structural repairs and construction management at $19 million.

The city's public works site described the pier as currently in good shape overall, though showing its age and heavy use.