Sleep over the ocean: Crystal Pier Hotel celebrates 95 years in Pacific Beach ...Middle East

At the western end of Pacific Beach, where the boardwalk gives way to the open ocean, Crystal Pier has been standing for nearly a century. Built in 1927 and welcoming overnight guests since 1930, the pier is home to the Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages — a rare piece of old San Diego where visitors can sleep directly above the waves. Yes, you read right.

“Where else can you sleep over the ocean?” said Julie Neal, the hotel’s general manager. “It’s one of a kind in the U.S.”

The blue-and-white cottages perched above the water have become the heart of the property. Each unit includes a full kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and private deck. While a few cottages are located above the gift shop and office, the most sought-after are built right over the ocean.

“The cottages are more popular,” Neal said of the options. “People love being over the ocean.”

EARLY DAYS

Crystal Pier was originally conceived by developer Ernest Pickering, who envisioned a sprawling “Pickering Pleasure Pier” with dance halls and amusements to rival Santa Monica. That vision was never fully realized, but the over-the-water cottages quickly took hold. By 1936, guests were already checking in and falling asleep to the sound of surf.

Ownership of the property transferred to the Allen family in the 1960s, and they’ve maintained it ever since. There are no flashy signs, bars, or restaurants, just a quiet row of cottages and a public fishing pier that transforms into a private retreat when the gates close to non-guests each evening.

Neal, who first worked at the pier in the 1990s, returned in 2021 to take on the role of general manager.

“For me, it’s come full circle,” she said. “I’ve known and loved this place for decades.”

POP CULTURE

Crystal Pier has made brief appearances in pop culture. Scenes from the 1989 film “Night Rain” were shot here, as well as the 1990s TV series “Renegade,” starring Lorenzo Lamas. Actor Pierce Brosnan stayed in one of the cottages while filming “The Heist,” adding to the location’s quiet roster of celebrity connections, according to Neal.

Despite its history, the pier isn’t frozen in time. Regular maintenance is critical to keeping the wooden structure and cottages in shape. The privately-owned portion of the pier extends to the high-tide line, with a city lease covering the stretch up to the bait shop. Beyond that, the pier belongs to San Diego, though the hotel’s presence makes the entire area feel like one continuous space, Neal said.

“We’re constantly maintaining the cottages and the pier,” Neal said. “It takes work, but it’s worth it.”

Business ebbs and flows with the seasons. January and February tend to be the slowest months, but during peak season, from June through September, the pier hums with activity. Many guests return year after year — some for decades.

“We have guests who’ve been coming for 50 years,” Neal said. “Our staff are like family, and we all take pride in the Crystal Pier.”

As the pier nears its 100th anniversary, plans for a centennial celebration are in the works — but don’t expect anything flashy. True to form, the event will likely match the understated charm that has defined the property for nearly a century.

“It’s not just a business,” said a family member. “It’s part of who we are.”

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