Redondo Beach Harbor is on the map for a proposed high-speed ferry service stretching from Malibu to Long Beach.

The Pier-to-Pier Coastal Ferry Program would connect seven stops along the Southern California coastline, according to a Nov. 5 memo from Long Beach's parks director, Stephen P. Scott, to City Manager Thomas B. Modica. The proposed route includes Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, San Pedro and Long Beach.

Pier-to-Pier describes Redondo Beach Harbor as "South Bay commuter access" on its route page.

The network would use 26-knot catamarans running on California Air Resources Board (CARB)-compliant renewable fuel, the memo states. Planners pitch the service as an alternative to congested Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

Operating partner secured

Pier-to-Pier has entered an operational partnership with Harbor Breeze, a Long Beach-based maritime company, to launch and maintain the ferry system, as reported by InterNewscast. Harbor Breeze already holds commercial slip space at Rainbow Harbor in downtown Long Beach, which is expected to become the network's first docking location.

Long Beach's City Council voted unanimously on April 7 to take formal steps toward creating the system, InterNewscast reported. The city has approved $8.9 million for two Belmont Pier projects tied to the ferry effort, including a new water taxi dock replacing one damaged in a 2017 storm.

The project is being developed ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The Long Beach memo notes that security and transportation planning for the Games could affect ferry schedules and landing points.

No launch date or fare structure has been announced. The memo states the next step belongs to Pier-to-Pier's leadership "to activate ferry service at, to and from locations that currently have the required marine infrastructure." It also flags potential hurdles: costly harbor upgrades at stops outside Long Beach and San Pedro, regulatory approvals across multiple cities, and convincing commuters to leave their cars behind.

Waterfront already under stress

The ferry proposal lands as Redondo Beach's waterfront deals with repeated flooding. A National Weather Service coastal flood advisory issued Nov. 8 covers Los Angeles County beaches through noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, warning of morning high tides reaching 7.2 to 7.6 feet and surf of 4 to 6 feet.

That follows weeks of damage along the Redondo Beach International Boardwalk. The Los Angeles Times reported that seawater breached the Redondo Beach seawall daily starting Oct. 26. Rashel Mereness, co-owner of the Slip bar on the boardwalk, told the Times her staff vacuumed water out each morning. She estimated the bar lost about 30% of its business on Oct. 27.

Joe Smith, who operates Project Barley and Next Door Bar on the pier, told the Times flooding damaged Next Door Bar's hardwood floors, which must be replaced.

Scientists warn conditions could worsen. Federal scientists say there is an 83% chance this El Niño will be the strongest in the modern record dating to 1950, the Times reported. King tides expected around Thanksgiving and Christmas could push sea levels even higher.