Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier is a pier in Belmont Heights, Long Beach, California.
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier is a popular site for fishing and strolling located at 35 39th Place. Sport Fishing can be accessed at the end of the pier, as well as a snack stand and bait shop.[1]
A rock formation named "Devil's Gate" once stood at the pier's location.[2]
In 1908 the citizens of Belmont Heights asked the city to build a pier. The pier has been called the Grand Avenue Pier, the Belmont Heights Pier and Devil's Gate Pier in its history.[3]
When the pier was renamed "Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier" in 2005 an inscription was added at the entrance: "The people of Long Beach dedicate this pier to the men and women of our nation's armed forces, as a tribute to their love of country and a memorial to their sacrifice."[4]
The pier was seen in the TV show Dexter in Episode 1, of Season 6, "Those Kinds of Things." In the episode the police find a dead man full of snakes, supposedly on a Miami beach.[5]
The pier will host sailing at the 2028 Summer Olympics.[6]
In 2012 the pier was set to receive $800,000 for new restrooms and $250,000 for curb and railings repairs. The nearby pedestrian path was also set to receive a $5 million facelift and expansion.[7]
The pier is open one hour before sunrise and closes at midnight daily. Lights, stations for fish cleaning, restrooms and a bait and tackle shop are available.[3] Fish species reported to be caught off the pier include halibut, barracuda, shark, sand bass, croaker and perch.[8]
Pirate Invasion of Belmont Pier Every summer people dress up as pirates for a free pirate festival at the pier. The event includes music, dance, live theatre, black powder presentations, a costume contest among other fun activities.[9] The 2011 event was July 2–3 and included a Pirate Encampment.[10]
Fourth of July A 4th of July party is held on the pier annually. The event includes live music, barbecue food and a beer garden. Long Beach fireworks can be seen from the area, with reserved seats available for the show by purchasing tickets.[11]