Beach guide
Pacific Beach and Crystal Pier
San Diego, San Diego County, CA
Overview
Pacific Beach is the north end of San Diego's Golden Strand. It runs south from Crystal Pier until it becomes Mission Beach, and it's one of the busiest beach areas in the city, especially in summer. The boardwalk it shares with Mission Beach is busy with walkers, bikes and skaters.
Crystal Pier
Crystal Pier, at the foot of Garnet Avenue, was built in 1927 and runs about 872 feet out to sea. The shore half carries the Crystal Pier Hotel's cottages. The western end is a public fishing and observation pier owned and maintained by the City. Storms closed the public section in December 2023. After about $2.06 million in repairs, the City fully reopened it on July 7, 2025. CDFW lists Crystal Pier among the piers where you can fish without a license.
In the water
Pacific Beach has one of the City's nine permanent lifeguard stations, and lifeguards are generally on duty from 9 a.m. to dusk. The water off the main beaches is split into swimming and surfing zones, marked by black-and-yellow checkered flags. The City lists surfing, swimming, volleyball and fishing among the beach's uses.
Rules to know
Alcohol, glass and smoking aren't allowed on the beach, the boardwalk or the nearby parking lots. Dogs are banned during daytime hours, and the boardwalk has an 8 mph limit and no e-bikes or motorized scooters.
Getting there & access
Getting onto Crystal Pier
The pier starts at the end of Garnet Avenue at Ocean Boulevard and passes through the hotel's cottages before reaching the public fishing section. Public hours are posted at the entrance. A 2013 Coastal Commission permit requires the pier to be open from no later than 7 a.m. until sunset.
Boardwalk
The boardwalk links Pacific Beach to Mission Beach and South Mission Beach. The speed limit is 8 mph, and motorized transportation devices aren't allowed.
Beach mats and wheelchairs
From May through September there's an access mat south of the main lifeguard tower. Lifeguards lend a manual beach wheelchair when they're on duty, and someone has to push it.
Parking and transit
The City lists parking and public transportation among Pacific Beach's amenities. Summer weekends are the busiest time, so come early.
Amenities
- Crystal Pier — Public fishing and observation section at the western end; no fishing license needed
- Lifeguard station — One of nine permanent City lifeguard stations
- Boardwalk — Shared with Mission Beach
- Volleyball — Listed by the City as a beach activity
- Restrooms and showers — Listed by the City
- Access mat — South of the main lifeguard tower, May through September
- Beach wheelchair — Manual chair loaned by lifeguards
Rules & official resources
- No fishing license is needed on a public pier in ocean or bay waters, but minimum sizes, bag limits and seasons still apply
- No alcohol, glass containers or smoking on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent parking lots
- Dogs aren't allowed on the beach, boardwalk or adjacent parks 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Nov 1–Mar 31) or 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (Apr 1–Oct 31), and must be leashed at other hours
- 8 mph maximum speed on the Mission Beach/Pacific Beach boardwalk
- E-bikes, motorized scooters and other motorized transportation devices are banned on Ocean Front Walk and Ocean Boulevard
- Follow the swimming and surfing zones marked by checkered flags
- Beach fires only in containers, and none between midnight and 5 a.m.
Common boat service needs here
Small boats and PWCs on Mission Bay
Mission Bay is just south and east of Pacific Beach. Small boats and personal watercraft used there need regular freshwater washdowns and detailing to fight salt and sun.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 8, 2026