Part of the iconic Ocean Beach Pier reopened on Friday for the first time since January.
The OB Pier has been deemed safe for the public after city engineers and maintenance crews have repaired the damaged railings and service lines to the Walking on Water Café. People can now walk, run, bike and fish all the way to the cafe, but not to the end of the pier.
Currently, the City of San Diego is working on a long term solution for the pier. But for now, retired appliance repairman and fisherman Stephan Clay is excited to get back to his favorite fishing spot.
“I’ve been fishing here at least 20 years and it really pains me when it’s closed, it takes so long to open, but it’s open today and I’m really happy to be here,” Clay said.
Clay’s neighbor and fellow fisherman, Anthony Benavente, loves the pier.
“My favorite part about being at the pier is seeing new people, having new experiences. Mostly new stuff, basically,” Benavente said.
Since 1993, Chuck Fisher and his family have owned the Walking on Water Café.
“The pier is part of the family. It’s part of who I am," Fisher said. “I enjoy coming out here. I never get tired of this.”
Fisher knows the residents of OB love the pier, but visitors do too, and he said he's been hearing from them.
“The phones just ringing nonstop all week. 'We're coming into town are you guys open yet?'” he said.
During the pandemic the café was shut down. Fisher said, “It took away a part of me, not being able to come out here. It’s just special.”
Fisher expects the café to serve at least 2,000 people a day during the holiday weekend.
The Walking on Water Café is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and the pier is open 24 hours, but will close during very high tides.
