About this pier
Hermosa Beach Pier sits at the foot of Pier Avenue in the city of Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County, forming the social and geographic heart of this beach town. The city has had three piers here: a 500-foot wooden trestle built in 1904; a 1,000-foot concrete pier (with small tiled pavilions) that replaced it around 1913–1914 after storm damage; and today's concrete pier, completed in 1965 after the 1914 structure was condemned as unsafe in 1957. It remains a hub for both fishing and the beach volleyball culture Hermosa is known for, with straightforward open rail space and easy car-free access from downtown. As of early 2026, though, its long-term future is genuinely uncertain: a recent engineering report rated the pier in poor to serious condition after decades past its expected structural lifespan. The city is weighing ongoing repairs (tens of millions of dollars and climbing), full replacement (upward of $200 million), or demolition, with high-priority deck-panel work flagged as needed within a few years. The pier remains open to the public for now — confirm current access before you go.
What you can catch
Hermosa Beach Pier lies within CDFW's Southern Management Area, running from Point Conception down to the Mexico border. Anglers here typically find barred and walleye surfperch working close to the pilings, along with corbina and croaker patrolling the sandy surf zone nearby. Pacific mackerel and occasional bonito school around the pier's end during warmer months, while halibut and stingrays are common catches for those fishing bait on the sandy bottom further out toward deeper water.
License and regulations
Fishing from Hermosa Beach Pier as a member of the public doesn't require a California sport fishing license, under the same statewide exemption that covers most public piers. That said, size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures for each species remain fully in force no matter your license status. California's two-rod-per-angler rule for public piers applies here too. Because pier rules, hours, and open status can change — especially while the city plans repairs or replacement — check CDFW's current Beach Fishing list and City of Hermosa Beach notices before heading out.
Tips for fishing here
Fishing near the pilings with small hooks and natural bait like sand crab or mussel tends to produce the steadiest surfperch action, particularly on an incoming tide. A Sabiki rig worked near the pier's end is an efficient way to load up on mackerel, which also make excellent live or cut bait for halibut. Weekday mornings offer noticeably more space along the rail than weekend afternoons, when the pier and adjacent beach get crowded with visitors and volleyball players. Bringing a rolling cart helps if you're carrying a cooler and multiple rods, since the walk from parking can be a few blocks depending on where you park.
Before you go
The pier sits within easy walking distance of downtown Hermosa Beach's restaurants and shops, making it simple to turn a fishing session into a longer day out. Restrooms and metered parking are both close by, though spots can be tight in peak season. Treat open access as provisional given the city's active repair-or-replace decision: the pier is open today, but near-term partial closures for deck work (or longer-term changes) are plausible. Always double-check current CDFW regulations and city pier status before you fish.