No landmark is more wholly representative of Oceanside than the iconic pier. The pier jets out into the vast Pacific, bisecting breaking waves and providing our coastal community with a gathering place, a surf spot, and a scenic backdrop to countless sunset photos. The Oceanside Pier, as it exists today in 2023, is only 36 years old. The Oceanside Pier that we know and love was built in 1987 and is now one of the most photographed landmarks in town. Oceanside’s original pier was constructed 135 years ago when our seaside town was in its infancy. While the first Oceanside Pier is long gone, the remnants of its pilings can still be seen occasionally during extremely low tides. Dive in below as we explore The History of the Oceanside Pier.

Plans for Prosperity: The First Oceanside Pier

The original pier in Oceanside was known as the wharf. Talks of the Oceanside Wharf began in 1887. According to the National City Record, the wharf was to be 1,506 feet in length and would be built to accommodate “vessels drawing 25 feet of water.” The wharf was located at the terminus of Couts Street (now Wisconsin Street) and was built for purely commercial purposes. During the late 19th century, when plans for the original Oceanside Pier took place, Oceanside was a boom town, with many newcomers arriving, aiming to strike it big out west. One such man, Col. Daniel H. Horne, the first president of the Board of Trustees, and his compatriot banker Charles Morill were the driving force behind the wharf’s construction. The proponents of the wharf claimed that Oceanside would rise to the heights of San Francisco and Los Angeles and saw its construction as key to the prosperity of the city.

Constructing the Wharf

$28,000 was raised by subscription to fund the construction of the Wharf. Materials were delivered, often through notably rough seas, and a completion date of December 1, 1888, was announced. The construction contract was given to the Great American Bridge Company of San Francisco, and construction kicked off that June. By the end of August, the pier reached 1,340 feet out to sea. A series of mishaps, shipping delays, and rough weather caused the estimated completion date to come and go without much additional progress.

The Wharf’s Demise

A severe storm in December of 1888 severely damaged what had been constructed. Over the next two years, more storm activity would reduce the wharf to 940 feet. On December 30, 1890, rough seas washed what was left of the wharf into the Pacific. Plans for a second wharf, made of iron, were put into place, and Oceanside’s second pier was built in 1894 at the end of Third Street. Oceanside has had a total of six piers since the construction of the first wharf began in 1888. The Oceanside Pier that exists today was built in September 1987 and is a staple of the Oceanside community. On rare occasions, the remnants of the original wharf are visible during extremely low rides.

The Pier Today

Today’s Oceanside Pier stretches 1,942 feet into the powerful Pacific and gives tourists and locals alike to gather, fish, and enjoy the ocean. Spend an afternoon people-watching, catch the sunset from the pier, or watch one of the many artists and performers transform the pier into their stage. As a surf break, the Oceanside Pier offers reliable sandbars on both the north and south sides of the pier. Oceanside’s beaches are angled ideally to receive year-round swell, and the pier has some of the most consistent peaks at its base.

Explore Oceanside and the seaside community that makes it one of California’s most charming towns during your next stay at the Green Room Hotel. Book your stay at our boutique Oceanside hotel and experience everything our beach town has to offer.