LOCAL DESIGN / MASTER BUILDER'S LOVE STORY WITH THE OCEAN BEACH PIER

  

 THE BIG ONE--Construction of the Ocean Beach Pier started in early 1965 and was completed by July 1966. At the time, it was the longest concrete pier in the world, extending out 1,971 feet into the ocean. (Photo courtesy of Teyssier family) 

It rises out of the Pacific like a concrete roadway to heaven, stretching nearly 2,000 feet into San Diego's surf-churned horizon. The original Ocean Beach Pier, began 60 years ago and completed in July 1966, remains a feat of engineering and a testament to the willpower and ingenuity of the man who built it: Leonard Edward Teyssier.   

Constructed during the region’s mid-century building boom, the OB Pier was, at the time, the longest concrete pier in the world. It was not a simple project—far from it. Bidding to construct such an audacious structure in a place known for high surf and rough waters required more than just ambition. It demanded creative engineering and hands-on know-how. 

That’s where Teyssier came in.   

Rather than rely on the floating barges, cranes, and towboats used by major pier contractors, Teyssier devised a method unique to the OB shoreline: a system of heavy steel-beam outriggers, anchored on the structure itself and “back-spanned” to support a 60-ton crane. 

Mr. Leonard Teyssier

This allowed his team to build outward from shore, advancing over pounding surf each day using self-designed rigs and platforms—construction as performance, nearly swallowed by the sea.   

Teyssier’s pier wasn’t just concrete and rebar—it was community. During the final months of construction, excited OB residents raised funds to extend the pier further into the sea. The City of San Diego matched the funds. Leonard was so moved by the community’s enthusiasm that he built the south wing extension at his own cost, ensuring the best fishing spots would be reachable.   

More than half a century later, in June 2023, the San Diego Historical Resources Board officially designated the Ocean Beach Pier as a historic resource.   Leonard Teyssier’s imprint on the region goes well beyond OB. 

As founder of Teyssier & Teyssier, Inc., he helped shape mid-century San Diego’s skyline. At just 29, he secured the bid to build the groundbreaking Starlite Express—San Diego’s first outdoor glass elevator—at the El Cortez Hotel. He bypassed expensive scaffolding by anchoring metal brackets directly through the hotel walls, a bold move that saved $50,000 and showcased his engineering creativity.   

He also developed the Le Rondelet luxury condominiums at the entrance to Shelter Island in 1967—a project co-created with his wife, Monica, who envisioned managing a residential property. The building remains a landmark in Point Loma.   

Teyssier’s background explains his adaptability. Born in Durango, Colorado in 1927, he grew up in a construction family. His father built roads and highways across the West, often living in tents on remote job sites. It was there—watching, working, and living among road crews—that Leonard gained his early education in building.   

Following Navy service in WWII, he returned to San Diego, enrolled at what is now SDSU, and launched his company with only $300 and a used pickup. 

Without a license of his own, he partnered with his licensed builder father to meet regulatory requirements. The rest was grit, hustle, and innovation.   

Teyssier passed away on April 11, 2024, at age 97. But anyone who has walked the Ocean Beach Pier—through salt wind, crashing surf, and that peculiar stillness only found a quarter-mile out over the Pacific—has experienced his legacy. 

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.The Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego was originally constructed in 1966 and has not undergone a complete rebuild since then. Over the years, it has experienced various repairs due to storm damage, including significant repairs in 1991 following winter storms.

Local residents line the wall of the original OB Pier. Storm damage has closed the pier until a new planned pier is built.

In recent years, the pier has suffered extensive damage from storms and high surf, leading to multiple closures. Notably, it was closed from January to July 2023 and again in October 2023 due to high surf damage. Further damage in December 2023, when a support bracket broke off and fell into the ocean, prompted the City of San Diego to determine that significant structural rehabilitation is not feasible. As a result, the city has decided to move forward with plans for a long-term replacement of the pier. 

The proposed replacement aims to maintain the pier's iconic elements while incorporating modern features, such as an elevated walkway, retail spaces, and enhanced areas for public use. The new design is expected to be more resilient to future storm damage and rising sea levels. 

As of now, the Ocean Beach Pier remains closed, and the city is in the process of finalizing plans for its replacement.ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV+1KPBS Public Media+1

Sources: Based on reporting by Dave Schwab, Peninsula Beacon via Times of San Diego/Newswell. Sepia image by Chat GPT4o. 

IN ITS GLORY...