San Simeon pier closed after pylons break away

California State Parks closed the San Simeon Pier earlier this month after discovering that two of the three long support pylons were missing during a follow-up inspection. 

The pier has historical significance, built in 1957 and extended in 1969, and has been under State Parks' control since 1971.

Part of the pier had already been closed to the public since 2021 due to structural issues. The current plan is to replace about 50 piles, 20% of the cross beams, the curb rail, railing, and the decking. 

A water line and hydrant will also be added. The timeline for reopening and the estimated repair costs have not been provided at this time. The closure remains in effect until safety concerns are addressed.

Expect closures on San Simeon Creek Road during repairs

San Simeon Creek Road will be closed periodically between Monday, September 25 through Friday, October 20 to repair road damages.

Road closures will be from 7 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. 

This project is part of the County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department’s storm-recovery efforts. Storms in early 2023 washed out portions of San Simeon Creek Road, putting the remaining roadway at increased risk of being completely impassible during the coming winter. The repair work is being completed now, before the rainy season, to protect the roadway from further damage.

Please refer to the attached map for the exact location.

Rare parasite threatens Central Coast sea otters

State researchers are studying a rare strain of parasite that was discovered in San Simeon and Cayucos.

From the Los Angeles Times: 

"The first otter washed ashore in San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County in February 2020, according to the study. The adult female otter was still alive but thin and unresponsive. The other three otters washed ashore already dead from February through March 2022 in Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County and in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz County, researchers said."

Scientists warn that the same strain could pose a threat to humans. The unusual strain had not previously been detected in California. 

Researchers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and University of California, Davis, conducted a study on the deaths of the four sea otters, which occurred between 2020 and 2022. 

The study revealed high numbers of the parasite throughout the otters' bodies except for their brains, and researchers are concerned that the strain could contaminate the marine ecosystem and pose a public health risk. 

Some San Simeon land owners may get off waitlist soon

A legal settlement may clear the way for property owners in San Simeon to develop their land.

The settlement between Bob Hather and the San Simeon Community Services District, may clear the way for eight San Simeon property owners to soon be taken off a water waitlist. This will allow them to move forward with developing their land.

The tentative agreement between Hather, who lives in San Luis Obispo and owns an acre of undeveloped land in San Simeon, and the North Coast board will make Hather $50,000 richer and bring him one step closer to making his development plans come true. He wants to build 15 units that people can afford, according to a report by New Times.

Hather sued both the federal government and the state last year because the district wouldn't give him water service and wouldn't let him out of the water moratorium, which has been in place since 1986.