The Iconic Malibu Pier

Take a stroll on this classic pier.

image by Karen Kagan

The IconicMalibu Pier

By Anthony McDemas

The iconic Malibu Pier offers 360-degree views not to be missed—and so much more.

The Malibu Pier is recognizable from every angle—it is the symbol of Malibu. With views of dolphins, surfers, sailboats, Catalina Island, the occasional celebrity, landscapes and an offering of food and shopping, the pier is central to experiencing our town.

Its rich and varied history adds to the allure. Serving Malibu since its inception as a private ‘working’ pier in 1905, the Malibu Pier is historically significant, architecturally unique and one of the great piers on the West Coast. Built by Frederick Rindge, a member of the founding family of Malibu, he unknowingly created an important part of the town’s living legacy.

Mosaic tile from long gone Malibu Potteries

image by Karen Kagan

Catch a wave on classic pin ball machine

image by Anthony McDemas

Sierra is sporting Daisy Sunglasses

image by Karen Kagan

His purpose was simple: to send off produce, leather hides and other ranch products to market during a time when ground transportationwas slow, expensive and unreliable. Conversely, it allowed machinery, building materials and othergoods necessary to run a modern ranching operation, known as the Malibu Rancho, back into town. A private rail system ran those productsto and from the loading dock on the pier.

The Malibu Pier was open for fishing in 1934 and has been used by the public, private and government sectors ever since. The U.S. Coast Guard used it for coastal defense during World War II. After the war, the end of the pier was expanded and buildings that still stand today were added and remain with the architectural style common for the mid-1940s. Los Angeles County Lifeguards currently use the pier to moor their patrol boats and local command center.

Sport fishing and fishing charters began in earnest in the 1960s. With fishing from the pier, shore fishing and charters, Malibu was a popular place for fisherman from all over Southern California. The best-known fishing charter was the Lenbrooke, which was guided by Captain Bill Hutchinson. The rich waters up to a mile offshore are known as Keller’s Shelter Bay, and an artificial reef has been built to protect the pier and provide habitat for numerous species of fish. Anyone can still fish from the Malibu Pier, and a California State Fishing License is not required. If you don’t

have a pole, you can rent one along with tackle and bait from Ranch at the Pier.

Our famous Malibu Pier is not infallible. It has had many lives since its inception, having been destroyed by storms numerous times and subsequently rebuilt. For years the pier had been intermittently closed; currently it has remained opened since 2017. Eventually the pier was designated as a California State Historical Site and became part of the California State Parks.

Alkemie Road well curated vintage clothing & jewelry

image by Joshua Klien

Alkemie's colorful interior

image by Joshua Klien

Helene Henderson's Malibu Farm Restaurant

image by Karen Kagan

Fishing supplies at Ranch at the Pier

image by Anthony McDemas

Ocean view dining at Malibu Farm Restaurant

image by Joshua Klein

The pier is a neighbor to the historic Adamson house to the west, and, to the east, the once booming Malibu Potteries. Although long gone, Malibu Potteries producedbeautiful tiles from natural clays found along our coast. JOSHUA KLEIN

At a Glance:

Shopping

Ranch at the Pier: an eclectic mix of Malibu centric gifts, cards, clothing, beach towels and toys. The Ranch stocks skate gear and surf goods along with bait, tackle and fishing poles. 310-456-8031

Miansai: Fine leather good and specialty jewelry for women and men 310-683-0060

The Alkemie Road Shoppe: Alkemie jewelry collection of vintage, sacred and unique curiosities from around the globe. 323-620-4929

Historic view of the Malibu Pier

image provided by Joshua Klien

Rent surfboards, kayaks and paddle boards on the pier

image by Joshua Klien

Malibu Cabana: Beach essentials, blow-ups and gifts.

Surf & Water Sports

Malibu Surf Shack: Surfboards, stand-up paddleboards and kayak rentals. Arrange for lessons, camps and tours on any watercraft. 310-456-8508

Dining

Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar: Fresh, organic and local cuisine offered by owner Helene Henderson. Dine in or out with view beautiful views from any table. 310-456-8850

Malibu Farm Café: Counter service at the end of the pier, breakfast and lunch daily, and sunset dinners available Wednesday through Sunday. 310-456-1112

Sport Fishing

Open for public fishing daily. No fishing license is required. Bait and tackle available at Ranch at the Pier.

These tiles−with Spanish, Egyptian and Moorish designs—can still be found on the pier’s tower, in Malibu’s Old Courthouse on PCH near Las Flores Canyon Road and at the Adamson House and gardens, which are well worth a visit.

Today’s Malibu Pier is home to two fine restaurants operated by Helen Henderson. Malibu Farm Restaurant and Bar is the spot to indulge in farm fresh, locally sourced organic fare. Located at the entrance to the pier, you can dine in a whitewashed dining room or on an ocean-side patio bar while enjoying a lovely view of Surfrider Beach and Santa Monica Bay. Located at the end of the pier is Malibu Farm Café with walk-up counter service, and a rich breakfast and lunch menu. Dinner is served most nights as well.

The two large decks at the end of the pier, accessed via the two staircases behind Ranch at the Pier or Malibu Farm Café, offer 360-degree views that span the entire Santa Monica Bay and rise up to the Santa Monica

Mountains. Sunsets are memorable, relaxing and romantic. Tucked above the Malibu Farm Café is a small gallery that currently holds the works of John Van

Hamersveld, whose pieces include the film poster for Endless Summer, album art for the Beatles and Grateful Dead, and the logo for Fatburger. Hamersveld also created the mural that adorns a charter vessel that starts coastal cruises off the pier later this year.

And, of course, there is shopping. Ranch at the Pier offers a range of items from Malibu centric gifts to beach necessities to fishing supplies and bait. The curator of Ranch at the Pier has gathered a unique and eclectic mix of gifts and clothing that perfectly reflect Malibu’s surf-and-skate culture. You can even stop and enjoy a quick play on the vintage

MALIBU SURF SHACK

pinball machine, Surf Champ. The Ranch operates a colorful pop-up style shop, the Malibu

Cabana, with inflatables and other beach items at the entrance of the pier. Alkemie Road, a pop-up, or more accurately drive-up, has a one-of-a-kind jewelry collection, along with a wonderful collection of vintage accessories. Shopkeepers Dara Gerson and her husband Ashley Lowengrub operate their business in a funky, handcrafted trailer hand built by Ashley. Located next to Alkemie Road is Miansai, which is housed in an uber cool Airstream and has a selection of fine jewelry and leather goods. Malibu Surf

Shack recently opened a rental kiosk on the pier and rents surfboards, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Their staff assists with safe beach launches and landings, and can arrange lessons or tours.

Because the pier is quintessential Malibu, many films, televisions shows, commercials and fashion photo shoots have been located on or near it. They include scenes from “Gidget,” “Big Wednesday,” “Taken 2,” episodes of “American Idol,” “Real Housewives,” “Baywatch” and “Rockford Files”—to name just a few. Ranch at the Pier has some movie memorabilia proudly adorned on its walls.

A trip to Malibu isn’t complete until you’ve walked the historic Malibu Pier.