Crystal Pier

Location: 4500 Ocean Blvd, San Diego, CA (map)
Phone: 858/483-6983 or 800/748-5894
More info: www.crystalpier.com

Pier Surroundings

If you drive west down Garnet Street to the beach, you’ll wind up at Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, CA. The beach north of the pier is North Pacific Beach City Beach and south is Pacific Beach City Beach. The Pacific Beach Boardwalk passes by Crystal Pier, connecting Pacific Beach with Mission Beach and South Mission Beach.

A Walk Along Crystal Pier

Crystal Pier had its grand opening in 1927. I remember walking through the gated entrance to the pier, with the historic sign “Crystal Pier” overhead. As I made my way down the pier, I saw blue and white cottages, built in the 1930s lined up on both sides, half way down the pier. I could peek past their side yards to the ocean. I thought it must be amazing staying in one of these cottages, since I could hear the waves crashing below. Beyond the cottages, there really isn’t anything except a sink, where I saw a pigeon drinking from the dripping faucet. At the end the pier is a wider platform, great for fishing and viewing. I looked over the North side and could see the surfers below.

Crystal Pier Cottages

29 quaint blue and white collages line up along the first half of the pier. You can choose between a one and two bedroom unit, each with a kitchenette, living room and outdoor deck. Parking is free. 1 car can park at a 1 bedroom unit and 2 cars can park at a 2 bedroom unit. Some cottages are on dry land. The best cottages for more privacy and ocean view are lettered A through F. No smoking and no pets.

Call 4 to 6 months in advance for winter season reservations and 8-11 months in advance for summer season reservations. There's a minimum stay requirement of three nights from mid-June through September, two nights the rest of the year. The cottages are a bargain in off-season.

Pier Fishing

The terrain below Crystal Pier is sand. There are no rocks or reefs. The pier and beach are ideal for sandy-shore fishing. Also attracting fish are mussels which coat the old pier pilings. During summer, kelp grows around the pier's outer end, also attracting fish.

HOURS: The pier is open to the public during daylight hours.