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Crystal Pier can take the hits
Unlike Ocean Beach, it will probably avoid the wrecking ball
Most of the pilings and braces have been replaced over the pier’s nearly 100 years.
Given the setbacks that have befallen the Ocean Beach and Oceanside piers — because of storms and fire, respectively — it is perhaps not surprising that the partial shutdown at the historic Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach has drawn comparatively scant attention. But most of the 870-foot wooden pier in Pacific Beach has been closed since December because of damage from winter storm waves and king tides. And a new wave of punishing winter weather could arrive before it can be repaired and fully reopened.
“Emergency work is expected to be completed this winter,” says city spokesman Tyler Becker. “[But] the construction schedule will be weather and tide dependent.” The first phase of the work was completed between March and May, and included replacing about five dozen braces that were broken or damaged. The city also allocated $1 million for additional emergency pile replacement work that is about to begin.
The pier opened in 1927 and included a short-lived ballroom and carnival midway. The addition of what eventually became two dozen blue-and-white Cape Cod-style rental cottages began in the 1930s. Willis Allen acquired the privately built pier cottages in 1961. His son, Willis Allen Jr., and his wife have a majority ownership interest today. Guests make reservations many months in advance, and pay $425 to $655 per night in summer with a three-night minimum stay. (The cottages have remained open while most of the pier has been off limits.)
Crystal Pier has been battered before. During a storm in 1953, an unmoored barge clobbered it, snapping pilings and sending one cottage plummeting to the sea. In 1983, huge waves collapsed pilings at the end of the pier and destroyed 150 feet of decking. And in March of last year, a section was closed for two months because of safety concerns due to storm damage.
For his part, Allen doesn’t foresee the day when Crystal Pier will face demolition and a rebuild, which is the plan for the Ocean Beach structure. He noted that the latter is prone to “side loads” — large surf that pummels it from the side. And it is made of concrete. “At Crystal Pier, our general load is straight in and straight out’” Allen said. “We rarely get a lot of side load on the pier. And being a wooden pier, it flexes. It’s designed to do that.”
There will be disruptions when the next repairs begin. A crane will loom over the street, and workers will park their vehicles south of the pier. There will be noise and for two or three days, and guests will not be able to park on the pier, Allen said. Still, that may not deter visitors. Many return year after year. “We’re jammed. We have so much repeat business, it’s just amazing,” Allen said.
John and Ellen Dusch of Mission Viejo have been visiting once or twice a year for more than 20 years. “I ride my bike, and otherwise everything is walking distance,” Ellen Dusch said. “It’s really restful.” Texans Brian and Jennifer Gray were celebrating their wedding anniversary nearby recently and walked out as far as permitted. “It would be even better if it was [entirely] open,” Brian Gray said. “But when you see this” he added, gazing at the surf and setting sun,” it’s an incredible feature.”
Here's something you might be interested in.
Crystal Pier can take the hits
Unlike Ocean Beach, it will probably avoid the wrecking ball
Crystal Pier can take the hits
Unlike Ocean Beach, it will probably avoid the wrecking ball
Most of the pilings and braces have been replaced over the pier’s nearly 100 years.
Given the setbacks that have befallen the Ocean Beach and Oceanside piers — because of storms and fire, respectively — it is perhaps not surprising that the partial shutdown at the historic Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach has drawn comparatively scant attention. But most of the 870-foot wooden pier in Pacific Beach has been closed since December because of damage from winter storm waves and king tides. And a new wave of punishing winter weather could arrive before it can be repaired and fully reopened.
“Emergency work is expected to be completed this winter,” says city spokesman Tyler Becker. “[But] the construction schedule will be weather and tide dependent.” The first phase of the work was completed between March and May, and included replacing about five dozen braces that were broken or damaged. The city also allocated $1 million for additional emergency pile replacement work that is about to begin.
The pier opened in 1927 and included a short-lived ballroom and carnival midway. The addition of what eventually became two dozen blue-and-white Cape Cod-style rental cottages began in the 1930s. Willis Allen acquired the privately built pier cottages in 1961. His son, Willis Allen Jr., and his wife have a majority ownership interest today. Guests make reservations many months in advance, and pay $425 to $655 per night in summer with a three-night minimum stay. (The cottages have remained open while most of the pier has been off limits.)
Crystal Pier has been battered before. During a storm in 1953, an unmoored barge clobbered it, snapping pilings and sending one cottage plummeting to the sea. In 1983, huge waves collapsed pilings at the end of the pier and destroyed 150 feet of decking. And in March of last year, a section was closed for two months because of safety concerns due to storm damage.
For his part, Allen doesn’t foresee the day when Crystal Pier will face demolition and a rebuild, which is the plan for the Ocean Beach structure. He noted that the latter is prone to “side loads” — large surf that pummels it from the side. And it is made of concrete. “At Crystal Pier, our general load is straight in and straight out’” Allen said. “We rarely get a lot of side load on the pier. And being a wooden pier, it flexes. It’s designed to do that.”
There will be disruptions when the next repairs begin. A crane will loom over the street, and workers will park their vehicles south of the pier. There will be noise and for two or three days, and guests will not be able to park on the pier, Allen said. Still, that may not deter visitors. Many return year after year. “We’re jammed. We have so much repeat business, it’s just amazing,” Allen said.
John and Ellen Dusch of Mission Viejo have been visiting once or twice a year for more than 20 years. “I ride my bike, and otherwise everything is walking distance,” Ellen Dusch said. “It’s really restful.” Texans Brian and Jennifer Gray were celebrating their wedding anniversary nearby recently and walked out as far as permitted. “It would be even better if it was [entirely] open,” Brian Gray said. “But when you see this” he added, gazing at the surf and setting sun,” it’s an incredible feature.”
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