Ocean Beach Pier reopens to enthusiastic visitors

The reopening of city piers June 9 brought a return for many to a routine that had come to an abrupt end about two months ago when piers were closed to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Newly reopened beach parking lots also made it easier for people who flocked to Ocean Beach shops and restaurants or hit the beach to suntan or surf.

Children chased one another at the edge of the surf while others in the water floated on their boards, waiting to catch a wave.

There were few empty parking spots on the streets near the beach or in lots, including the one at the foot of the Ocean Beach Pier. Dozens of people were on the pier, some walking, many fishing and several eating at tables inside and outside the Walking on Water cafe near the pier’s end.

Among the people fishing off the pier was Robin Evans, 61, of Santee. Evans said she heard the pier was reopening and decided to take the morning off work to fish.

“I haven’t been able to fish, and fishing is anti-anxiety for me,” she said.

Evans said she had not caught anything, but simply trying had been soothing.

“I feel a lot better,” she said. “I’m very happy I was able to get out here and just relax.”

Nathaniel Forney, 19, of San Diego said it was his second time visiting the pier, where he was joining friends who had been fishing all morning while he napped in the car.

He said one of his friends seemed excited to fish in the ocean after months of resorting to angling in lakes, and he had gotten Forney and the others in their group out of bed at 6 a.m. for the occasion.

“I was kind of forced here,” Forney joked.