Monday, January 10, 2011

Remembering Pierpoint Landing


Pierpoint Landing opened on what is now Pier F at the Port of Long Beach in 1948. It grew to become the world's largest sportfishing operation, attracting 2 million anglers annually, before it closed in 1972. As many as 22 day boats and 30 charter boats would set out daily in pursuit of yellowtail, albacore, sea bass, barracuda and bonita.

Besides the fishing, the complex attracted visitors with fondly remembered restaurants, shops, rides for the kids and a seal tank. A new Pierpoint Landing opened in 2000 near the Aquarium of the Pacific.

At top: Pierpoint Landing in the mid-1950s, looking out to sea; below: a view looking toward Long Beach of the same area in 2009, with the Port's Command and Control Center and Jacobsen Pilot Service in the foreground.

We'd like to hear from you with your memories and photos of Pierpoint Landing -- either leave a comment here or use this form to upload a picture we can share.

Pierpoint Landing - Long Beach, California
(This photo is from an excellent collection of vintage postcards and photos on Flickr -- click the picture to see another photo of Pierpoint Landing and some vintage maps of the Port.)

More pics of Pierpoint Landing

5 comments:

Melly said...

I love The Port of Long Beach!
I love the way they are always reaching out to the city, the community and the families. The POLB website is very informative with great opportunities for all to get involved.

I hope to see, in my life time, our own Port's O Call on this side of the bridge or our own S.F. Pier 39. I know the smart people at POLB could create our own embarcadero.

I've been living in Long Beach now for sixteen years and in that time, I’ve seen Long Beach grown exponentially – for the better. I work with a group of geologists that support the POLB with some of the local work and I am very proud of the work they do. I consider myself an environmentalist and an advocate for recycling and for the use of reusable shopping bags.
Keep up the good work POLB.
Melly Macias,
The Source Group, Inc.

bloefeld said...

I've been trying to remember the name of this place for years! I remembered the little rides they had and all the boats, and I knew it wasn't Ports O' Call. So happy I stumbled upon this fantastic blog! Thank you!

Kohei said...

I have so many fond memories of Pierpoint Landing. I spent much time there between 1964 and 1972 as a young fisherman of 9 to 17. Selling Blue and Blacksmith Perch to Dearden's, fishing from the barge catching bonito, going fishing on the Pierpoint, Matt Walsh, America, Freedom, Liberty and others. Watching the TV show - "Fishin' Flashes with Mac McLintock" always got me excited about the next trip.

K. Kikuchi

Unknown said...

Does anyone know how I can contact the skpper of the Freedom from 1967=68? I think it was Chuck Gonzalez. I was a deckhand on the boat and am upgrading my OUPV to a Master and need the endorsement. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Wow old Pierpoint Landing, this really brings back some memories. I had a great privilege to grow up on the docks, by fishing on almost all of the docks, while my dad worked as a longshoreman, during the summers of most my school years (1968-78) I say it was a great privilege because these are things you just couldn't do now days. I remember eating there and feeding the seals and I remember the helicopter rides they had there too. Its things like this that need to be brought back.... Life's about enjoyment, with family and friends.... Those were the days. Thanks oh yeah.... The new landing, no comparison.