Oceanside Pier
By Mark Goodkin
San Diego Coast Life
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Oceanside Pier is a long, wooden pier on the north end of Oceanside, CA, about two miles south of Oceanside Harbor. On a clear night, the lights of Oceanside Pier can be seen far down the coast – as far as La Jolla.
About half way out along the pier is a bait and tackle shop. The pier is a popular fishing spot, as are all the public piers in San Diego County. Sometimes, the pier gets crowded with people fishing, but they fish along the sides, near the railing. The wooden walkway is wide enough for everyone.
The pier makes for a nice walk, especially on a sunny day. As you walk out along the pier, the beach, beachgoers, homes, and swimmers subside in the distance. At 1,954 feet, Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the west coast. Why go there in the first place. Well, it’s a chance to get outdoors, take a long walk, and breath in some fresh, sea air.
Everywhere you look on the pier, there is nuance: The old fashion light posts, the wooden railings with names of contributers to the pier carved into them, hi-powered, stationary binoculars, and the wooden pilings upon which the pier platform resides.
Built in 1988, the pier is in good condition, which should be expected. The concrete approach to the pier was built in 1925. In fact, the present pier is the sixth pier built in Oceanside. The first pier was built in 1888. Each pier eventually gave way to the elements.
Ruby's Diner at end of pier
At the end of Oceanside Pier is Ruby’s Diner, a true novelty. Inside, you’ll find memorabilia from the ’40s and ’50s, as expected in a diner. You can grab a table with a nice, ocean view, and enjoy the meal and experience.
When you make it back to shore, if you’re finding something else to do, you can stick around and enjoy the beach, or walk up Pier View Way into Oceanside’s historic downtown district along Coast Hwy 101, or head over to Oceanside Harbor, or … there’s plenty of things to do in town and around the county.
And yes, bring the camera. It’s not every day that you see a pier, much less walk out along it.