Malibu Pier Master Joshua Klein

Malibu Pier
Our team had the pleasure of meeting Joshua Klein, the Pier Master, who gave us a first-class tour and history lesson of the Malibu Pier. He calls the pier the Eiffel Tower of Malibu.
The Malibu pier was built around the turn of the century by the Rindge family as a working pier with a private rail line that was used to transport agricultural products and deliver building materials needed for the Rindge family. The entrance tower and storage room were built for the Rindge family’s son furnished with Malibu tiles with a kitchenette and bathroom. At times, others have lived inside, and it’s now said to be haunted.
In the 1930’s, the Malibu Pier opened to the public with charter fishing available. Fishermen were transported between the pier and the barge off the coast. Fishing boats operated from the pier until the early 1960s. Later in the 1930’s, the pier was taken over by bondholders. Its length was extended to 780 feet.
During World War II, the pier served as a U.S. Coast Guard daylight lookout station. A severe storm in the 1940’s caused damage and the pier’s end had to be rebuilt with the condition that a new building would be constructed for the Coast Guard. After WW II, twin buildings were built at the end of the pier. The building intended for the Coast Guard changed hands several times until 1972 when it became Alice's Restaurant.
In 1980, the State of California purchased the pier. Although the pier was transferred to the City of Malibu in 1997, lack of funding returned it back to the State. The pier was recommended for registration as a Point of Historical Interest in 1985 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The RANCH at the Pier, the store at the end of the pier, opened about 15 years ago. Josh was brought onboard to re-concept the store and brought in Gidget, Malibu Barbie, and fedoras for the men’s section. Biodynamic vegetables from farms and props from around the world were brought in to reflect the perfect cliche Malibu seaside community and ranch farming town store. Since Malibu is the birthplace of the modern surf culture, Josh got an idea. Saint Christopher is the patron saint of surfers. Back in the day, surfers would give their Saint Christopher medallion to their girlfriends. Josh would go to the Rose Bowl flea market, buy vintage medallions, put them on a Tiffany chain and sell them at the store.
The pier is one of the most filmed places in the world, with films such as Taken, Bombshell, and Aquaman, and where many TV reality shows such as The Kardashians have been filmed.
Malibu Farm Café and the RANCH at the Pier are always looking for student help. Email [e-mail] for more information.