The Gaviota Pier is located within Gaviota State Park along the Santa Barbara County coastline. Though shown fully intact stretching out into the ocean in this 2007 image, the pier is currently closed to the public and has been for several years. High tides and powerful storm swells severely damaged the structure, tearing away the outer 100 feet of the wooden platform and rendering the remaining portion unsafe for pedestrian use. As a result of this destruction, the popular public fishing area and the pier’s boat hoist—which previously served as the primary ocean access point for watercraft traveling to the nearby beaches of Hollister Ranch—are completely unavailable.
Currently, the pier continues to deteriorate and remains closed indefinitely while its long-term future is evaluated. California State Parks is assessing whether to repair the historical wooden structure, replace it entirely with a modern concrete pier designed to better withstand future coastal storms and environmental pressures, or let it continue to deteriorate and eventually fall into the ocean. I’m in favor of keeping the pier or building a new one, but if I had to bet on the outcome, my money’s on it’s destruction.
