The Long Beach City Council unanimously agreed April 7 to move forward with participating in the Pier-to-Pier Coastal Ferry Program, a proposed water transportation system that would connect communities along the Pacific Coast.
With a 6-0 vote, council members approved directing city departments, including Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works, to begin working with regional partners such as Los Angeles Metro and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The action is intended to position Long Beach as a major destination and leading participant in the developing coastal ferry network ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Pier-to-Pier initiative, also referred to as the Blue Highway, is proposed to span from Malibu to Long Beach, with stops in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach and San Pedro. The system is being explored as an alternative to heavily traveled routes such as the 405 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway, while also supporting tourism and regional mobility.
The council action also allows the city to begin exploring infrastructure needs tied to the program, including potential upgrades to Belmont Pier and areas surrounding the Queen Mary to support future ferry or water taxi service.
City officials said the program is focused on creating a clean and reliable ferry network that improves multimodal access, reduces roadway congestion and strengthens emergency preparedness along the coastline.
The effort is also being developed through a mix of public and private partnerships. A private firm is expected to serve as the vessel operator as plans move forward. Additional opportunities for buildouts, renovations and support services may be available to private firms.
Council members pointed to Long Beach’s existing coastal assets, including Belmont Pier, the Queen Mary and the downtown waterfront, as potential access points that could support both transportation use and tourism activity.
Long Beach hosts several large-scale events throughout the year, including the Acura Grand Prix, which draws an estimated 170,000 to 190,000 attendees, along with the nation’s second largest Pride celebration, a marathon, a summer jazz festival and a yacht racing regatta. The city is also preparing to host multiple events during the 2028 Olympics, many of which will take place along the shoreline and in the water.
Officials said a ferry system could help move residents and visitors between coastal destinations, offering an alternative to roadway travel while also helping manage transportation demand during major events.
Council members noted that improvements to existing dock infrastructure would require significant investment and said public-private partnerships and transportation funding will likely play a role in moving the project forward.
Early concepts include pilot ferry operations developed in coordination with regional agencies and private operators, with service that could support both daily transportation and major events.
Photo by Ambassador Of Truth from Pexels
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