Both piers have wood superstructures, which support cement decks. The decks are cracking and will be pulled out. Workers will also replace the eroded wood bracing and metal bolts that connect the decks to the structures.
The city will use its portion of the settlement from the 1990 American Trader oil spill to pay for the repairs.
When the work is complete, the city will take steps to protect from further damage. Trucks heavier than 3.8 tons will be prohibited from using the piers to deliver goods to the restaurants. Currently, trucks up to 5 tons are allowed to use the deck for deliveries.
—Stanley Allison, Los Angeles Times, October 22, 2001
Balboa reopened in the spring of 2002 with new railings, a new concrete deck, reinforced pilings, and new restrooms near the front of the pier.
Unexpected damage from a different source occurred in 2013 when a 55-foot-long private boat lost power and drifted into the pier’s piling. The pier was closed for a short period of time but reopened after the city engineers declared the pier was structurally safe.
Today the pier seems in great shape—and it looks beautiful.
Balboa Pier Facts
Hours: Open from 5 A.M. till midnight.
Facilities: Restrooms are located near the entrance to the pier. There are lights, some benches, and fish-cleaning stations on the pier. There’s a Ruby’s Diner restaurant at the end with its candy-striper waitresses and ‘50s decor. Ruby’s restaurant sits out at the end of the pier. There is currently no bait and tackle facilities. Parking spaces can be nearly impossible to find so I recommend the parking lot adjacent to the pier even though the cost is $1.50 an hour (with a maximum of $7). If the kids are seeking entertainment they can find it nearby at the Balboa Fun Zone near the Pavilion. They’ll find a small Ferris Wheel and some arcade games.
Handicapped Facilities: Handicapped restrooms. The pier surface is concrete with a rail height of 36 inches. Posted for handicapped.
Location: 33.59925013477555 N. Latitude, 117.90061712265014 W. Longitude
How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take Newport Blvd. which will turn into Balboa Blvd., follow it west to Palm Street. Turn right and follow it to the pier and an adjacent parking lot.
Management: City of Newport Beach
I’m coming out with my family in Dec. I wanted to do some fishing. Can I rent gear at the pier and do I need a license to fish from the pier?
No, there is no rental equipment at the pier. I think though you might be able to rent tackle nearby at Davey’s Locker. As for a license, no, one is not required as long as you are fishing from the pier.
[…] Balboa Beach is part of a three-mile stretch on Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula. Here, there are plenty of options to fill the beach day, including a playground right on the beach, or fishing on the Balboa Pier. […]
[…] Piers are one of the most romantic spots on earth! If you don't believe me, tag along on a visit to Balboa Pier on almost any summer night. By 10 P.M., darkness has enveloped the pier. But while most fishermen have returned home, life continues on the pier. via […]