D'Lynn Waldron was one of the leaders in saving the Santa Monica Pier from demolition for an up-market resort complex, in the early 1970's.
When she was in England in the 1970s and 80's, working with the British government to promote tourism, and on her own initiative making English specialty cheeses an export item so the family farms that made them could survive, she became involved in saving the Brighton Pier. See article about that below.
The Santa Monica Pier is now one of the most successful tourist locations in Los Angeles. SM Pier Anniversary photo gallery.