SAN DIEGO — With the summer season fast approaching, the public portion of the nearly 100-year-old Crystal Pier is still closed for repairs, disappointing tourists and people all over San Diego who love going there. CBS 8 checked in to see what the City of San Diego is doing to fix the problem and reopen the beloved pier.
“It’s a total bummer, you know, we’re really sad,” said Sarah Bell, who is visiting with her family from Arizona, something that's become a yearly tradition.
“Every time we come out here, we want to eat at Kono’s breakfast, and then walk up on the pier, so I’m really sad that the pier is closed,” said Bell.
The westerly portion of the pier beyond the bait shop has been closed since December due to storm damage sustained in 2023. The landmark pier suffered more severe damage when storms and high surf hit earlier this year, and now it's closed until further notice.
"You get a beautiful day like today, and then you get out here and you have to stop, it’s kind of a bummer,” said Chad Fuller, who has a sentimental connection to the pier after 25 years of visiting San Diego.
“I did not know it was closed today, and I’m pretty sad because just being out here with all the guys fishing. My mom and dad would take me out here," said Fuller. "I miss it.”
The additional damage sustained this year includes two broken piles on the south side in the surf zone. A pile is the foundation that is drilled into the sand.
“Very disappointing because it’s always so much fun to go out and watch all the fishermen fishing and all the little kids having a blast out there,” said Kathy Laborde, visiting from Reno, Nevada.
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved emergency funding of $1 million Monday to begin the process of procuring a contractor for the repairs after the damage is more fully evaluated.
The Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, which sits on the private portion of the pier, is still open. One of the owners, Bill Allen, told CBS 8 he is very happy the City of San Diego is working to fix it, and he'd like to see it reopen to the public as soon as possible.
“I hope they can do the repairs at least by next season. I mean, I come down here every year for the sun and the sand and the fun, but the pier’s a big part of my trip," said Fuller. "I really hope that they can make the changes, do the bids, get the contracts, and get this thing done.”
The City does not have an official timeline yet for reopening the pier. In all likelihood, the physical work would probably start in the Fall with the emergency repairs hopefully done before the Winter season and the storms that could follow.
WATCH RELATED: End of Crystal Pier closed for maintenance, repairs needed (April 27, 2023)