Hello, The end of the Santa Monica Pier during the time a small boat harbor was planned for the north side of the pier where those guys in suits were standing and appearing to look at the boats anchored there. As the rocky outcrop North of the pier has always been there, plans to enclosed the area with larger rocker breakwater would have protected the anchored boats or perhaps rows of docks and slips. At the time period, the city fathers were considering a boat marina for pleasure craft, sailboats and powerboats. Some commercial fishermen already had anchored in the area north of the Santa Monica Pier to offload their supplies and local catches. But for the general public, it was still a far away proposition. The huge Marina Del Rey Harbor was nowhere in any discussions, as it was total swamp land and not able to be developed back then. The early idea of a small harbor for boats on the North side was daunting. Rocks were already in place and that gave a sense of security as a starter point. But, mother nature was not as kind during the different seasons. During the winter storms, the big swells came barreling down the Northern coast to hit the pier area directly and create massive waves and of course, destruction. The swell direction swept “things” through the pier in a Southerly direction. Not a good location during the storms. In the summer, most of the beach was protected from the big swells by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Point. So, it looked ok for landing, anchoring or docking boats along the Northern side of the pier. But, the rest of the year, any Western direction swell… the majority of the swells and waves came right at the beach and pier with the same intensity as it normally does during a storm or swell. The false impression of the calm waters surrounding the pier in the photo gave some hope. But, the swells from the side and more powerful waves during the stormy seasons would not be good. It is difficult to make a protected harbor on a cove or cliff side area, let alone on a wide open sandy beach area with nothing to stop any wave action from all directions. Early diagrams showed a massive wall of rocks piled up high in the same area as the rocks already naturally in place. It looked promising, but the same rocks would also have to create a box to enclose the boats from damage during said storms. It was/is a difficult place to build a harbor with boat docks and to give them a safe harbor for entry and exiting. The search continued and the "pier harbor" was put on hold. To this day… Jnaki Then as progress in development came around, a massive undertaking took place just South of the pier. The Marina Del Rey swamp land looked promising as a protected harbor, if entry and exiting could take place easily. Designs were all different and one was used if the harbor entrance could be blocked off with a long breakwater at the entrance, but still allowing boats to leave going North or South behind the protected rocky wall sticking up out of the water. The end of Route 66 in So Cal, on the Santa Monica Pier. Just beyond this sign, the rest of the long pier offers some of the best coastline white sandy beach locations on this portion of the So Cal coast. The pier allows folks who like to walk around to the folks who just like to drive out to the end or as far as the road takes. The 58 Impala, the 40 Ford Flathead Sedan Delivery with surfboards, the red 65 El Camino and also, the 327 powered 40 Ford Sedan Delivery made the "over the water" drive. It never gets old to drive out over the water as far as one can go West. But, not the farthest Westcoast location along the vast coastline… from the water along the long shoreline in the Santa Monica Bay… heading North to the Malibu cliff coastal location. Photos by Vnak... The final decision made the ocean sail much more enjoyable to get up close from a different angle. The city planners made a wise decision NOT to make a small boat harbor next to the pier. A few miles down the coast, is one of the largest, if not the largest single enclosed harbor for all kinds of boats, at Marina Del Rey. But, the entrance is also protected by a large breakwater and that is what it does during the storms that roll through all year long. YRMV
I remember in the 50s and early 60s Carson tops were around and I think this may be one of them. I never thought that they looked good.
The Jalopy Journal
