Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages
4500 Ocean Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
858-483-6983
www.crystalpier.com
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The Crystal Pier (named after the long-gone Crystal Ballroom) has endured quite a few mishaps since its opening in 1927 - beetle infestations in the late '20s; storm-born barges that ripped up sections of the pier and sent one of its famed cottages into the deep blue; El Nino; and, more recently, an inadvertent assault by a city dump truck. Still standing and still striking with its arched entrance, the pier is home to the Cape Cod-ish Crystal Pier Motel and Cottages. Beyond that, the pier juts out high over the water. You can toss a line in the water here without a fishing license, which makes Crystal quite popular with pier fisherfolk. The adjacent beaches are clean and tidy. Parking is a challenge, with the best bet being the 175 space lot at Tourmaline Surf Beach (north of the pier, just less than a mile). Still, come early in the day for a spot. Other parking is available in the adjoining residential areas. South of the pier is Pacific Beach proper, extending to Mission Beach. These two miles are known as The Strand, and while they are as quintessentially San Diegan as youll find, theyre very crowded during tourist season (mid- September and October are the best times to beat the crowds). Note bathroom location at the Grand Avenue lifeguard station and north at the Tourmaline facilities. There are no facilities on The Strand between Pacific Beach Drive and Mission Bay Drive. Parents should take this into account when planning a visit. -- Lisa Galloway
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