Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages

I didn’t stay at the Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, but I stopped by to check it out, and what a cool and unique concept! The hotel consists of quaint white cottages built directly on the pier, allowing guests to literally sleep over the ocean—something you won’t find anywhere else in San Diego. Unfortunately, the pier was under construction during my visit, but even from the outside, it was easy to see why this place is such a beloved landmark. Originally built in 1927, Crystal Pier has a long history as a classic Southern California getaway, offering guests a chance to wake up to waves crashing beneath them and incredible ocean views in every direction. The cottages, with their retro charm and private decks, make for a one-of-a-kind beachfront experience. Even though I didn’t get to stay, just walking around and seeing the pier’s charm firsthand made me want to come back when it’s fully open. Hopefully, the renovations will make it even better while keeping its historic charm intact!

What a special experience this was for our family. We loved our stay here - one of our favourites during our 3 week road trip in the US (from Australia). It’s such a unique place. Have never woken up to the sound of the waves crashing beneath me. Parking outside our room on the pier was very convenient. Lots of restaurants and shops in the vicinity.

Crystal Pier Hotel and cottages are beautiful! The cottages are right on the pier and every cottage has a patio with a view of the ocean. We first started coming here with my sister and her husband, but they both passed away in 2022 and 2023. My husband and I miss them terribly but we will continue coming here every year. I will see my sister in the sunrise, the sunset and hear her voice whisper through the waves with a gentle kiss. She was my best friend and she will always be here with us. Thank you Crystal Pier for keeping her in our thoughts while visiting here. This is a beautiful, magical place to stay.

Kind of a bummer the pier is closed but you can still fish here at high tide. Cottages are nice , very cute place to stay. Great views

NO AIR CONDITION! It was horrible, hot, sticky over 4th of July!!! Especially when you have a group party. I grew up in Pacific Beach. I am in my 60’s. The owners can well afford AC. Everyone says your right by the water you do not need it!!!! NOT TRUE!!!!!

5 stars, all the way. Oct. 23, 2024. I think this is our 7th time here over the last 6 years. They still deserve 5 stars. The cottages are cute, clean, and kept up to date with all appliances. Housekeeping staff are friendly and hardworking. It is nice to check in with neighbors next door, who also come every year. Please note: kitchen area is well equipped, but very limited on counter space. If you love to cook, as I do, you may find it challenging. I still manage to make some great meals, but.....am looking forward to going out to dinner tonight!

My company, West Coast Deck, had the privilege of participating in the recent remodel of Crystal Pier. Prior to the work, despite growing up in San Diego, I had never heard of this darling hotel. To call this a hidden gem would be massively understating how special this location is. The lodgings themselves are unique and special (you literally sleep over the ocean: I don’t think this exists anywhere else in California), and the staff is just so darling. You feel the love, and the vibes are so so good. I would chat with the guests at random every day and wasn't surprised to hear that many of them have been coming back every year for decades. This is a bucket list spot, right in our backyard. Five stars and then some!

Great stay and convenient to most everything. Secure pier with locked gates at night. Cottages are very comfortable and well appointed. Great views right on the ocean. I can not wait until my next visit! My attached photos are taken from the pier.

Absolutely loved staying here as a local. The staff is gracious and accommodating, we couldn't be happier with our stay!

This is our 6th year coming here. (I think) It is perfect for a relaxing mini vacation. You are right over the water listening to waves break on your deck while to watch surfers and get awesome sunsets each night. We are in a nice 1 bedroom; they also have 2 bedroom cottages. They are clean and decorated cute in blue and white. InInclude a table with 4 chairs and 2 lounge chairs on the deck. Kitchen area included all basic dishes, silverware, pots and pans. Small didinette table. Walking distance to any place you need to be. Kono's for breakfast is just outside the gate. CVS right down the street. Lots of great places for lunch and dinner. And the beach is right there! Go south for seashell hunting and north to watch the surfers.

This place is from another world, the rooms feels like is on top of the ocean on the pier hearing the sound of waves is intoxicating in a positive way. The decor is a touch of perfection from the past. It's only unfortunate, They do not allow reservation and it's almost impossible to get a room. i hope i can go back again someday soon.

We really loved our quaint cabin by the sea. I miss the gentle sway at high tide and constant sound of rolling waves. The sunsets were gorgeous. A key is needed to drive through the gate or enter through the walking gate after 7pm. I felt safe. Everything we could want was within walking distance. If you forget to pack anything, there is a surf shop connected to the lobby. There is a precious french bull dog in the lobby. The staff were helpful, efficient, and kind. Perfect for families traveling with children.

I have to be honest, I love living in California and its super friendly customer service people, especially in San Digo. Once in a while, I get a rude awakening, though. I called to find out about the pricing of the hotel. Even though this is 21st century and the information Superhighway is blooming at lightspeed, the basic functionality of modern convenient hotel booking is unavailable at this hotel's site. OK, back to prehistoric times. Fine, I get it. Just maybe this a popular hotel, and it is best to take reservations on the phone. I am giving this hotel the benefit of the doubt. But no, when I called, the rude representative of the hotel told me it's because they are trying to avoid group reservations. Really? Everyone deserves to have fun, especially in Southern California, especially at Pacific beach at San Diego. Really, you occupied this spot, slice of our earth's ocean for a specific group of people only? Wait. Isn't that bit discriminative? I was not calling to make group reservations, but I felt pain for the people who might want to be there with their friends and relatives together in a group. Oh but I should not say the g word here! You know, just to be safe. When I told the guy about my budget, he told me to go find a place at the motel. It was rude, and beyond insulting because even if I sugarcoat it and think he probably did not mean it, it still hurts. I already live so close to the beach and I was looking for a few days getaway at my beloved San Diego CA, Pacific Beach specifically. The guy made me feel poor, like in the pretty woman shopping scene. I had not seen the worst yet. He hung up the phone on me. He did not help me, he did not work with me to find out what I needed and what was I willing to pay. I suggest that you find a really good programmer who can write a good application to help you and the customers to book exactly what they want based on their preferences as well as your unwelcomed restrictions. Maybe that way we will not have to interface with rude costomer service representative. That will serve everyone greatly, and this is coming from an engineer, I promise. And if reservations are not made, then we all move on without hard feelings. If you are going to take phone reservation, at least be nice. At least be nice even if the caller is not the right customer for your preferences. Just please be nice. Based on my experience and for the customer service on the phone I am rating this hotel 0. If you are not welcomed with a smile and spoken to with respect and kindness, then you can not count on anything else to be reasonable here. There are many nice hotels in San Diego and there are other choices for your money. If my experience changes by some miracle, I will definitely update my review.

Fantastic. Everyone should have the experience of a few nights stay at the Crystal Pier Hotel. Lovely cottages over the ocean, sleepers' paradise, with spectacular decks, views and access to everything Pacific Beach. Every time I come here, I feel the amazing sense of place and blissful respite. The cottages are bright, charming and very well appointed. Do not miss this hidden treasure, right in the heart of Pacific Beach.

Check out the all new bait shack for your fishing meeds. Rental, bait and tackle, and your snacks for the day.

WOW What an incredible experience. My wife lucked out because somebody canceled. It was fantastic sleeping over the ocean. The first morning we woke up and SURFERS were surfing by our window. We had a private cottage with a private enclosed deck of our own. We noticed some units shared the deck in front of their unit. Oh BEST place to watch an incredible unobstructed SUNSET The only bad thing was that the pier was damaged in January storms and the city refuses to fix it until after Labor Day. So 200 yards of the pier is closed down. Hopefully they fix it by next year. We can't wait to go back

This is me in the wife's annual getaway destination third year here! We rebooked for the next year when we leave each time! We will be coming here for decades to come, God, willing!

We live locally in pacific beach and enjoy coming to the pier in evening sometimes. When I came here tonight to visit my family who were on the pier fishing the gate was closed. So I was just standing in front of the gate and had a quick chat with my aunt who was about to come out. And then there was this horrible hotel staff William who was extremely rude to me and threatening to get me and my aunt arrested because I was "trespassing " !? I explained to him that my dad who was then still at the end of the pier ,couldn't walk fast because of cancer pain. Yes. My dad was recently diagnosed with cancer and wanted to come to the pier to have a change of environment. The staff William had zero empathy to our situation. Not only did he threatened me and my aunt , ( yes, a white middle-aged white guy who threatened two minority females) he also talked to us in a very condescending way! How DISGUSTING! For anyone who works in hospitality industry, William obviously showed zero common ( basic courtesy and manners ) sense at his job. Nor as a human, had he has any decency towards other people ! Any potential employers out there, do yourself a favor and don't hire this guy to work at your hotel because after tonight I would never ever considering staying at this hotel or recommending any friends or family to stay there! I don't care about how popular this hotel is, it's just disgusting! !. For local residents who enjoyed going to the pier, watch out for this rude hotel staff because he will bark at you.

Come for the pier and the beach. Don't expect to have wifi to explore San Diego. In fact, I had to move around the room to get enough wifi to post this review. The sunsets are amazing and the staff are friendly.

I moved to San Diego in 1999 for surfing and the weather. Since moving to San Diego I have always wanted to stay at one of the cottages over the water. honestly, the actual cottage and being above the waves was everything I hoped it would be. Every bit as magical as I always thought it would be.. walking to the end of the pier for a panoramic sunset is amazing. However, in cottage D, you could see the sunset from its little deck. The only reason I reduced the stars is that I was quoted a price over the phone for the cottage thAt had a last minute cancellation and was charged 100$ more a night then quoted... but I didn't pay enough attention. If the business owner checks my review and could listen to the call I would love that (I can provide a time and date if you message me-) Also, I didn't use the over night parking my second night and because I extended my trip, I needed to be transferred to The Dana. I called uber (my friends were working).... and the front desk said they wouldn't let them on the pier even though my spot was open and available... WHY the heck couldn't they come on the pier for my paid spot? The Uber driver got harassed by the police as I trekked my stuff down the pier in 3 trips... I'm hotel searching for my sons wedding (renting at least 10 units somewhere) in 2022. Customer service, no body wash, etc has knocked this amazing experience out of the running. I say that if you have ever wanted to stay there-- DO IT.... but clearly the experience is there without a ton of service. Friendly people ... low level service. Go for the experience... once was enough for me... it's almost like-- the owners know the experience is amazing on its own so why bother making an effort elsewhere-- particularly when people wait 20 years for the experience... For a more enjoyable experience Check out the "deck" suite and bay view suites at the Dana-- less money, pools and jacuzzis open and weekend restaurant is phenomenal... plus paths and bike rentals....(I have also reviewed them

Perhaps I should also have picked up a Mega ticket the day I made these reservations, for as I phoned but two short weeks before the suddenly planned trip and was all there's no way San Jose that there will be anything available. No way San Jose because there aren't a ton of cottages and the setting is so sublime that how in the world but guess what. There was one room at the inn. My good fortune. A bunch of years ago, B. O., I stayed at Tower 23 just up the boardwalk and could see these quaint cottages on the pier all periwinkle and white like Cape Cod practically but on a pier over Pacific Beach and how cool was that. So this go round when I was headed to LA for the meetings I thought hmm why not see about turning this into a little getaway and I phoned and they had No. 17 for the two nights I was going to be there and rabbit was down like a clown so book it I did. It's clear from the reviews and the vibe that for a lot of folks this a family tradition and they come year after year. In fact, if you get a weekend spot (the full three day summer weekend spot not the abbreviated one we got) you get the option to save that precise weekend a year later. Each cottage has its own white picket fenced in enclosure on the pier behind the house with chaise loungers and your own little BBQ grill and people had clearly deployed their beach accouterments in their areas and their cottages practically looked like they lived there all year long. The cottages come in a small variety of sizes. No. 17 has a living room, kitchenette, bath and bedroom. All cozy w ceiling fans in the lr and br that when the sun is up seem to move hot air around but come sundown the cool sea air asks to come inside and you let it and such a good sleep I haven't had in a very long time. 17 is over sand but the surf line isn't far and the white ocean noise all night long is idyllic. A big bonus is parking outside your domicile and if you've ever been to PB you know that parking is nuts and forget about even getting close to the beach on the weekend. The cars outside the cottages are a weird sight during the day and the space between the cottages and cars feels crammed w humans but come sundown and the gate locks for the outside world and you have the whole pier to yourself and a handful of others and way out on the end is spooky and feels like friendly ghosts and pirates.

We've been coming here for years. Quaint cabins right over the ocean. The staff is friendly.

GORGEOUS. I had visited the Crystal Pier Hotel with my godparents during San Diego Comic Con. It was amazing. The amount of space from the one bedroom fit a lot of people. The living room had a couch that turned into a bed and during the hot nights, we even slept outside on the private deck. We fished right in the back deck. The lifeguards keep everyone away from that side of the beach because of the riptides so there's no fear of accidentally catching a person instead of a fish. Be sure to bring some of your own cooking needs like large pots/pans and kitchen knives! We found that the knives were extremely dull and the pans were too small to cook larger meals in. Not really a huge problem but still kind of a pain. Parking on the dock is easy. You just need to drive nice and slow since the pier is public and there's a lot of people walking on it. A lot of people like to watch the sun go down on the pier, so as long as you're not driving on the dock right before or right after sundown, it's fairly easy to get in and out. Reserving this place is NOT easy. Once you have the dates you want locked in, you're able to reserve the same dates for the following year once you check out if you put down the deposit. This process is great for those who have their dates locked in but terrible for those trying to snag dates of their own. Don't give up if you're still trying to reserve the place. It's so worth it. Probably one of the most relaxing weekends I've ever had. Can't wait til next year!

This extremely unique hotel has been on my mental bookmark list for more years than I care to admit. But I'm glad I finally pulled the trigger. So what you get (aside from a very few rooms) is a cottage on a truly rickety pier and, depending on the time of year and the tide, you might be right over the water. And yes, the pier moves, as will you. We happened to stay during a time of extremely rough rip currents and crazy waves and we rocked and rolled quite a bit. We were thrilled by every move of the pier. However, you can literally go for hours without feeling any movement, too. We booked eons ago (because you simply must book far, far, in advance, as in, many months) and the prices are very high. Lots of fine print in terms of the minimum number of nights you must stay depending on the season, cancellation policies, etc. so read carefully before you book and to spare everyone the after-the-fact whining on Yelp. We wanted and received a 1 bedroom cottage which was as far west down the pier as possible so we could literally sleep over the ocean. Again, except for a few rooms by the front office, these are all cottages with no shared walls. It is your own little house with a nice-sized back patio. The master bedroom is fairly small but adequate. The family room and kitchen area are good-sized and you get a full-sized fridge, perfect for bring in snacks, beer, vino, etc. The bathroom and shower are larger than you might expect. The couch in the family room opens up into a futon, suitable for one person or two people who don't mind close quarters. Also, you park right on the pier and directly outside your cottage so getting stuff to and from your car is as easy as pie. It is also an easy 5 minute walk from the pier to the beach and you are very close to many restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, gift shops, etc. (Also, for the love of all things holy, skip the insane line at Kono's which sits at the foot of the pier. There are many other options and better uses of your time.) The foot of the pier is the Pacific Beach boardwalk which makes for a great morning stroll, particularly in the southerly direction. Not everyone likes hearing the ocean at night and, if you don't know, when the sun goes down, the waves crash like a bass drum over and over. You just don't notice how loud the ocean is during the day. I happen to love the sound but just know before you go. This is a pricey stay, and maybe it is too pricey for a return visit, but I am glad I did it once.

My five days in December were perfect. The location, the views, the accommodations and ammentities. The sound and feel of the ocean 24-7 is amazing. I stayed on the south side 1 bedroom Cabin 5 and 3 they were warm and sunny. Jim, Megan, Juan and all the staff were phenomenal. Very clean and comfortable.

Cockroaches. Very unclean. When trying to make this right with the hotel they didn't care. Charged me For my stay even though I had to leave and pay for a different hotel. Owner called me to tell me that if he had roaches in his hotel room on vacation he wouldn't care. Terrible terrible way to treat people. Blamed his "Mexican" help stating that "they can't speak English and that's why my room was dirty".. not a good look during times like this (covid)

This was a unique experience! It was fun to be on the pier, the cottages were great (bathrooms need updating but overall, they were wonderful!) There was a well stocked kitchen with everything you need including a full size refrigerator. We had 12 of us all together (several cottages) so it was nice to be able to make meals in the cottages. There was ample space and storage for everything so you didn't feel cluttered at all. We loved our patio and the wonderful views. Sunsets were wonderful! It was nice to be walking distance to everything even the grocery store. Also, the service was fantastic. Everyone we came into contact with was so nice and helpful! The front staff were terrific! Can't wait to return!

During this Pandemic, they are still Charging $50. to cancel Reservations. I'm out of work, our Family is in deep like the rest of the World. Selfish, we will NEVER come back.

My family and I have been coming here for the past couple of years and to be completely honest the wait is worth it. We have stayed in one of the 2br/2ba rooms closer to the entrance and the accommodations are great! Everything is super clean and the layout is awesome. Everything is super close and we didn't have to drive anywhere. The kids love this place and the only downside is if you the weather isn't great when you are there. The wait is typically up to a year to book and they prioritize the people who have already stayed giving you an option to book the same room you stayed in for the same dates a year in advance. The ONLY reason we did not book it for a third year on checkout was because the weather can be so hit or miss in April. I can definitely confirm that we will be calling everyday to try and find an opening during the summer time though. At the end of the day, many good times and memories can and will happen here!

Such a beautiful peaceful place! My husband and I really enjoyed our stay. We're going back next year! Private patio along the pier and the staff are great.

I have stayed at the Crystal pier Hotel, and love it! However, something is extremely wrong with their customer service! I've tried calling on and off and finally got through, only to listen to a message over and over! I'm guessing the manager lives on the premises and is not motivated to work! The pictures of my phone calls should speak for itself!

No, the Crystal Pier Hotel is not a 5-star Ritz-Carlton type experience, and it does not pretend to be. Instead, it is an old-school, cottage-type experience in perhaps the most remarkable location that you could ever imagine -- on a pier hanging far out over the Pacific Ocean, waves crashing all around you. We have stayed here since the 1980s, watching the hotel change over the years, mostly for the better. As a special treat to celebrate my birthday this past week, we booked Cottage A -- the farthest out on the pier, facing south) for two nights. Long story short, we had a GREAT time -- exactly as we expected. Everything worked -- hot shower, cold refrigerator, warm wall heater, nice cable TV, and windows wide open at night to listen to the waves. Plenty of towels and toiletries. Cottage A has added benefit of having a private patio you can lock to keep visitors out. One afternoon we walked up Garnet to Poke Chop and brought the food back to our patio to eat (while drinking a cold Alpine Duet), and the next morning went to Konos and brought our breakfast back to the patio to eat (while drinking another cold Alpine Duet). Parking is right in front of the cottage, but we were able to easily walk to bars and restaurants so didn't need the car. It's expensive (way more than back in the '80s!) and a bit rustic, but the Crystal Pier is worth every penny in my book. I highly recommend spending the extra $$$ to book one of the newer cottages farther out on the pier: A - F. You'll be glad you did!

#14 was too close to the shore for me. At around 4:30 p.m., the gate was closed to automobiles. I called for a quote last week but was unsure so my boyfriend and I visited the pier this weekend. I stared at cottage A, deciding that the patio would have an obstructed view of the sunset. It is also next to the bait shop. I think cottage #8 has one of those dutch doors where the top half can be left open for ventilation. The first opening in October for a one bedroom cottage on the north side of the pier was $275 on the last weekend. Except for cottage #22, which has its windows papered up and lacks a patio, they are cute, with nautical themed (except for the Mickey Mouse silhouette on one) blue shutters. Summer season [June 15-September 30] is probably at least $45 more, depending on the distance from the ocean or size of your cottage. We ultimately decided that we were beachfront people.

DON'T STAY HERE...because you'll never want to leave! I've lived in PB for more than 20 years and have always wondered what it would be like to stay in one of these. I had to have the right occasion though since it's not the cheapest place in town. So on my fiancée's 30th birthday I surprised her with a staycation on the pier. She was thrilled! These cottages fill up quickly so be sure to book as early in advance as possible. Since I live in the neighborhood I swung by and discussed options with Megan at the front desk. She was incredible! Extremely helpful in answering all my questions and really assisted me in finding the perfect room for the occasion. Talk to her if you can. She's great and even let me peek at a couple of the rooms prior to booking (of course if you're coming from out of town you will not have this luxury). I opted for one of the rooms overlooking the pier. Room #25 to be specific. Room #25 sleeps 4 but I think is perfect for a couple. It's a roomy 1 bed 1 bath with kitchen and full size fridge. There is a stove too. The views from inside as well as the porch are breathtaking. Even from the bedroom there are shutters you can open for a straight view out over the pier and ocean. There were very nice Hampton Bay ceiling fans that kept the place extremely comfortable during our stay (1 in the main room and the other in the bedroom). And after the sun goes down you, and other guests staying in the cottages, have the pier to yourself. It's really romantic to go for a stroll over the ocean at night. Also there's a security guard who's on duty during the night which is nice as they prevent non-guests from coming onto the pier (it is open to the public during the day). Overall I really recommend staying here even if you choose one of the suites like we did vs. a cottage on the actual pier over the water. The place is wonderful! If you want a fancy Four Seasons kind of resort for your vacation this probably is not the place for you (plastic porch furniture, rust spots, chipping paint, etc.). It's old and the age shows in various places. However, if you want personality, something romantic, and a one of a kind experience STAYING ON A PIER OVER THE OCEAN than this should not be missed. I'm really happy I finally stayed here and will definitely be returning with family to share the experience.

Once again my family enjoyed all the best the ocean has to offer. We arrived to an immaculately clean cottage with fresh pressed linens and the kind of cozy blankets that has a grandma's quilt kind of comfort. I have many physical quirks that make traveling daunting. I'm always comfortable here at Crystal Pier. I sleep well in the beds, the hand held shower sprayers make washing up and de-sanding the grandkids very easy. The Crystal Pier cottages are authentic beach front accommodations. Having owned an Atlantic summer home, we missed the feel of oceanside living when we moved to the desert. A high rise hotel with a view misses the scent of the sea spray, the sound of the gulls and the squeak of a screen door that is no longer a perfect fit. Crystal Pier is just close enough to our own seaside home to check all the boxes and is our new favorite seaside resort. If you love salt in your hair and sand between your toes this is the place for you. The cottages are handicapped friendly if you or your relatives have access issues. There is a nice sized refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, stove top, oven and a charcoal BBQ on the patio. A favorite memory is of a day at La Jolla Shores topped off by ribeyes and baked potato's while we watched the sunset from our patio - life doesn't get better than that! I am very picky about where I stay, I've never had anything but a fantastic experience at Crystal Pier. We've had three generations enjoy it as well. The management is very friendly and very accommodating. We are very grateful to have found such a place so close to the desert. We arrive each year battered and frenzied and leave calm, cool and collected, the ocean having performed it's magic once again.

This was the second year visiting and it is great! Agree with other reviews that it is not a 5-Star hotel; however the location and views are beyond 5-Star hotel offerings. Will keep returning as this is truly a beautiful place worth making memories!

This place was on my bucket list and did not disappoint. Being a Ocean lover and the thought of staying in a cottage on the pier I just couldn't pass up. The check in process was smooth. We pulled up to the gate and Carlos came over to the car and got our last name (he was ready for us) gave us our keys and went over everything with us. Our cottage was a cute typical beach cottage. Everything was very clean. If your looking for Ritz Carlton luxury this place isn't for you. You are paying for accommodations on top of the Ocean and the beautiful Ocean sound soothing you to sleep. If you are a true beach/Ocean lover this place is for you. Before leaving we made our reservation for next year. Crystal Pier and Carlos you made our visit awesome.

I didn't stay here but I am a frequent visitor of the pier itself with my family where the cottages are and I have encountered a young man that works for Crystal Pier Cottages many times that makes me want to leave a review. This man named Rommell is always so friendly and helpful no matter what he is doing. He will stop everything to take care of not only the guests but the visitors to the pier as well. He is a wonderful breath of fresh air to the hospitality industry especially in such a high traffic area of San Diego. Thank you young man for being so helpful and courteous every time we run into you. The pier is a very busy place and it's rare to find such a kind hardworking soul like you today. We look forward to staying at the hotel soon with our family.

My husband is from San Diego and his family would go to PB to the beach. When he was a child. This area holds a special place in his heart and memories. When his father passed, he wanted to stay here. The hotel only releases single nights the day before arrival and we were able to get a 2 bedroom cottage (unit 22). So spacious, clean and quiet. I wish the beds were kings instead of queens but they were cozy. The unit we had was handicap accessible with a ramp, accessible showers and plenty of room. No closets but we were there for one night. Our stay was during a heavy rain and the room was great, no leaks or problems. Very close to restaurants with a promanade to walk. The best part was being able to check in early and take full advantage of the room. Great service, explaining how the gates and keys work and Wi-Fi worked real well.

Love the sound of waves, very relaxing. Clean cottage and cosy. You know you are home when ice is ready in the refrigerator. From 8 to 8, the Pier is private for the residents! Full security in a busy area. Yes, it gets noisy around 1:30 am when bars get ready to close at 2. Other then that, once street windows are closed, no problem: listen to the waves...// Quel meilleur endroit pour célébrer 25 ans de mariage. Cela aura pris quelques semaines, il y a 11 mois, pour réserver une unité ce qui est la procédure normale, mais cela aura valu la peine. Unité très propre (nous sommes à l'entrée du quai à l'étage. Vue parfaite du balcon ; lit très grand et confortable. Meilleurs oreillers de tout notre voyage en Californie. J'ai été réveillé par des chansons à 1:30 du matin à la sortie des bars. Qu'importe, une fois les fenêtres fermées, le son des vagues prend le relai...

Awesome experience spending the week in a cottage on the pier over the water. Going to bed and waking up with ocean each day!!

We stayed in Cottage D for our 20th anniversary. We loved it! The cottage was clean and comfortable. We left the door and windows open so we could listen to the crashing waves, it was amazing! However it got very loud in the middle of the night! We would have given 5 stars except for a couple of things. When we checked in they didn't tell us the key was for the sliding glass door and not the regular door, cheap toilet paper and then my biggest issue...scratchy bath towels. When you pay in excess of $300 a night soft towels are kind of expected. There are signs in the room asking you not to use the towels for outside (maybe a couple of beach towels that you can take on the deck would be a nice touch), don't use them for fish, your car or make up. They do have a black cosmetics washcloth which I thought was a nice touch. We would definitely stay again, the location and experience were great!

Staying at (on) the Crystal Pier is not for everyone. In fact anyone who is used to fancy hotel rooms, on-site dining, limo service, doormen, bellhops, concierge, carpeting on the floor and practically everything else you might find at even a mid-range hotel won't find those here. If you come here expecting those things, at least have the courtesy not to write a negative review about how loud the ocean is (it's right UNDER you), or how the seagulls pooped in your drink, or how the pier moves under you or how damp and cold it is, because all that and more is why people DO come here and why people like me love this place (okay, maybe not so much the seagulls pooping in my beer). The Crystal Pier Hotel is a one-of-a-kind, unique experience that can't be duplicated anywhere. It is on an old, rough, rugged wooden pier. Yes, right ON the pier. You will have people walking by all day and perhaps glancing in your windows. You will have the salt air in your face 24/7 and the wind mussing up your hairdo. You will share your space with the seagulls. You will have to walk or drive to get a meal or drinks. You will be able to walk to the end of the pier and see some of the most glorious sunsets of your life and after dark (when they lock the gates) you will have the pier all to yourself and a few other lucky guests. If you're lucky you will be there during the winter months, as I was, when the surf is stronger and you will feel like you are right over the ocean itself, because you are. You will watch the surfers from a vantage points right over their heads. If you plan to go, knowing all of the above, take a thick black marker and cross out any reviews that complain about, well anything about Crystal Pier. They shouldn't have been here in the first place. This is not a place that can or should be compared to any other place ... and it's not for everyone. Thanks to the staff for being friendly, helpful and basically good people. It would be impossible for me to have enjoyed my stay any more than I did.

I love it here, absolutely love it here. I love that I got to spend time with my mom here. I love that we got to stay in this little cottage and enjoy the view in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the night. I loved that I got to celebrate my birthday here. I was blessed to be able to get a rental on such short notice. I just happened to call at teh right time when someone had to cancel. I rented this cottage for 2 nights, 3 days. It was so peaceful, so quaint. When the night fell we left the window open to feel the cool breeze and felt the waves under the pier crashing to and fro. It was the best staycation I have had hear in San Diego. My only regret is that I did not rent the cottage one more night.

I was beyond privileged to stay here last month for four days and three nights. This place is a charm in Pacific Beach, San Diego, where you literally sleep on the ocean. The two bedroom, two bathroom cottage that I stayed in was set up to make you feel at home. Everything you could need in a little home is available. The kitchen was fully stocked with all equipment needed to make breakfast, lunch, dinners and cocktails. (Not food but utensils) The bedrooms were a good size as well as the bathrooms. But the best of all is the view from your spacious balcony. Imagine this, every morning you wake up, make a pot of hot coffee (included in room) and go sit out on your private deck watching the sun rise. This is what I did every morning I was here! Needless to say I was one happy girl. The pier is long and at the very end you can see dolphins in the near distance swimming in the ocean. You can also rent a fishing pole for only $7 a hour, which includes your pole, bait and the guy who will give you a few tips about fishing on the pier. The best part is no license required! The only downside to this place is on the weekend they open the pier up to the public. It can get really busy and annoying when they are taking up space where you are trying to fish, but this is only a small inconvenience. I really can't comment on the price because I was blessed to go with some really sweet and generous people, but I can say that I am planning to come back here in the future due to the amazing, comfy and quaint cottages on the sea that made my stay in San Diego amazing.

Very nice cottages, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. You hear the waves crashing both from your private deck as well as from the interior of the cottage. The cottage had a wall furnace that quickly heated the place at night, plenty of windows, a private parking space right in front of the cottage. The private deck came with a table with seating for 4, plus 2 chaise lounges (cushions for the outdoor seating are kept inside the cabin in the closet). Reserve many months in advance (they book up quickly) Each cottage has a single parking space in front of it (your get a permit for 1 specific vehicle -- you are NOT allowed to change out vehicles there during your stay) How to turn a 4star experience into a 5star experience: If I had to do it over again, I would reserve a room as far west on the pier as possible (i.e. as far away from the boardwalk as possible). We were in room 11, and although we loved the room, it had two downsides with not being very far west: a) late at night we would occasionally hear loud/drunk people walking along the boardwalk; Being further west would have alleviated this problem by not only being further from the occasional loud boardwalk pedestrian, but also the wave crashes would have been louder further east, thus further muffling any non-ocean sounds b) the cottage would shimmy, like a mild earthquake, whenever guests would drive their car past our cottage when driving to/fro their cottages. Some checked out at 6am, while others drove back from a late night out at 2:30am .... being a light sleeper caused me to wake up several times from the shimmying of the cottage; Had we been in a cabin further west, less cars would have passed by our cottage, and thus we gather we would have experienced less shimmying. Their WiFi is spotty and slow at best. It was so bad that we ended up turning off our WiFi and instead relied on our 4G carrier's connection.

My wife & I were looking for somewhere nice to celebrate our 14yr wedding anniversary and were looking for a hotel on the beach and after searching extensively we came across the Crystal Pier Hotel. We walked by it tons of times & viewed it from the beach but never thought it was affordable for our budget BUT after pricing the surrounding hotels & comparing it to Crystal Pier it was a No-Brainer that the EXPERIENCE we would get would FAR SURPASS any hotel in the area & any of our expectations! The day came when we finally checked in to our cottage and we were BLOWN AWAY by EVERYTHING! The beautiful decor of blue & white along with the fine details throughout the cottage make this place very quaint & relaxing! I can go on and on and on but this place can't be explained, ONLY experienced! We will DEFINITELY be back! - the McCarthy's

Many people in San Diego have seen the iconic 'pier with the cottages' in Pacific Beach. Little do they know that its actually a hotel and cottages that offers one of the most unique experiences in SD! My girlfriend and I stayed here to celebrate our anniversary, a 'stay-cation' if you will, as we live very nearby. We stayed at a cottage near the end of the pier facing south. First of all, the views are spectacular! You get a big back patio with table and shade cover plus two lounge chairs with cushions to sit back and relax and enjoy the view. The cottage itself is really nice, super clean, and spacious. The living room has a large futon couch, flat screen tv with cable, and two comfy chairs. The kitchen is amazingly well stocked- utensils, plates, cups, pots, pans, knives- everything you need to prepare any meal. Fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker round out the amenities in the kitchen. There is a wide double sink that leads (separated by door) into the bathroom with a large walk in shower. Just next to the sink is a closet for coats and anything you need to hang. The bedroom has a really comfortable, king sized bed, two dressers, and a door that leads into the back patio with large glass windows that allow you to gaze out from the comfort of the bed. You are completely separated from your 'neighbors', I don't even think I ever saw or heard another guest near us the entire time. During the day you'll see plenty of people walking down the pier boardwalk as it is open to the public. 'Private' signs are visible from the outside and there is plenty of security to keep you and your belongings safe. As a guest of the hotel, only you are allowed driving access onto the pier (must drive 2mph) with your own designated parking space in front of your cottage. This makes it super convenient to access stuff from your car. The attention to detail here is amazing. They have literally thought of everything you need to enjoy your stay here! As others have mentioned- a disclaimer is needed so as to avoid any unnecessary negative experiences from prospective guests. You are on a PIER DIRECTLY OVER THE OCEAN. Crashing, loud waves onto the scaffolding of the pier is a NATURAL occurrence. Swaying of the pier and therefore actual swaying/movement of EVERYTHING on the pier, is common. If you are noise/ movement sensitive when trying to sleep this may not be the best stay for you. I personally enjoyed the sound of the crashing waves and I think added to the feeling of seclusion and connection to the ocean itself. Staff is really awesome answering questions and helping you with whatever needs you may have. Very professional and friendly. Crystal Pier is an awesome experience! You are literally a short walk away from beach, shops, restaurants, and everything PB has to offer. 10/10 would recommend to friends and family!

My town is still on lockdown. The Crystal pier Cottages would not refund deposit. Who knew it would go this long! Not cool!

This is was an awesome way to experience San Diego! I highly recommend staying here. I stayed in cottage number 10 and was at first disappointed to not get a room further out on the pier but in the end realized I lucked out (although every room is great here) because the further up you go it seems like you have less privacy from passerbys who are walking up and down the pier, you also are not right over the water which creeped me out a little and could be disastrous is you dropped something while sunbathing on the porch like, say your phone, because there are some large(one inch) gaps between the wooden slats on the pier. My cottage had a bedroom and futon so four could fit comfortably, and also a full kitchen which was great for making dinner while watching the sunset. Wear shoes so you don't get splinters!!!! The only problem I had was that the owner was a little snobby, perhaps because I was using a Groupon? Other than that I would love to come back, it is worth the high price.

We managed to snag a cottage for two nights while we were in town and are so glad we did! This place is a little gem! For those expecting 5-star accommodations, this is not for you! We stayed in Cottage F and the place is a little worn (kitchen isn't new, bathroom isn't fancy) but it was clean and spacious! We loved how private our patio was! We enjoyed laying out in the sun, watching the surfers and the sunsets were amazing from the pier. The best part was falling asleep with all the windows open and hearing the waves. It was nice that the pier closed after a certain time, you felt very safe leaving windows open. The location was awesome and walkable to so many places! Since we had a kitchenette, we made a quick walk to Ralph's to pick up snacks, including stuff to make a picnic at the beach. Konos was an awesome place for breakfast (pro tip: get a Cali mocha at the coffee shop!) - it was nice to bring it back and eat breakfast on the patio (and for cheap!). Other awesome food places within walking distance: Taco Surf, The Baked Bear and The Local. The front desk staff were so friendly and helpful. We're looking forward to the next time we're in SD so we can stay here again!

The cottages are not cheap, but you can save alot by staying in them during the "Winter Season", which is Oct-May. It was difficult getting a reservation since you have to keep calling until there is a cancellation. You cannot book online, phone only. It was nice to park in front of my cottage. There are so many restaurants within walking or biking distance, you didn't even need to use your car. It was so nice to enjoy the sunsets and sunrises on the pier without the public, as they are only allowed in during certain hours. I brought my bike to ride the miles of boardwalk down to Mission Beach and to Tourmaline beach, which is very popular for surfing. The cottage had everything I needed and was nice, clean & cozy. Nothing fancy. The patio was large, but be aware you don't have alot of privacy on your patio. It was very quite when I went in December. The surrounding area of Pacific Beach is older and a bit "gritty", with alot of homeless people around the boardwalk area, but it won't stop me from coming back to enjoy these quaint cottages. The beach is endless and there is something for everyone to do, whether it's surfing, playing in the sand, walking, running, biking, fishing or just lounging on your cottage patio!

Beautiful place! They have cottages where people can stay but the pier is open for everyone. The beach is amazing and clean. I love this place and will definitely come back in the future.

What a unique "hotel" in a pretty incredible location, sitting atop the PB pier. The sound of the waves, the sight of the surfers and beach goers below, and darling little cottages (some not so little - they have studios, 1-bdrms, and 2 bdrms) perched above. All w/ stunning over-the-ocean/beach views. All have private deck, separate bedroom and kitchenette. I've been fortunate to visit several friends who have stayed here, and one of these days, we'll have to stay for more than just the day. PS - cute little bait and tackle shop on the end of the pier that's been there forever. The kids love to go in and get a piece of candy as a "treat."

I can't say enough good things about this hotel. The owners are one of a kind. The experience is something you will rarely find (sleeping over the ocean). It is located in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It's quaint, unique, well-managed & just over all a once in a life time experience. I would highly recommend!

My wife and I were celebrating our 10th anniversary and wanted comfortable, quiet 4 day escape in San Diego. We chose poorly. The Crystal Pier offered no privacy, the cabin we stayed in had worn out furniture, the free WiFi was very poor, constant foot traffic all day that was very loud. Will not recommend or return. Might be tolerable for the post pubescent crowd,

What an amazing week on the ocean! This should be on everyone's bucket list. We fell asleep to the sound of the sea, took several walks on the beach every day and created wonderful family memories! The rooms were gorgeous and the staff was extremely helpful. We hope to return next year!