Construction fencing and visible work at the site recently sparked alarm among hikers and surfers who feared the Bell Pavilion, as it is formally known, might be torn down. But multiple sources now confirm the structure is being rehabilitated, not destroyed, with work being performed by La Jolla-based CDC Construction.
According to individuals who spoke with workers at the site, the circular concrete pavilion is being repaired and adapted for use as a future lifeguard facility. While official plans have not yet been publicly detailed by the City of San Diego, the structure’s preservation appears to be central to the project.
The Bell Pavilion was designed in 1965 by architect Dale Naegle for Samuel L. Bell, heir to Bell’s Potato Chips and affiliated with General Mills. Bell owned a summer residence atop the 300-foot cliff above Black’s Beach and commissioned the pavilion as a guest house below, connected to the main residence by a private funicular tramway stretching nearly 300 feet down the bluff.
A perfect circle measuring approximately 30 feet in diameter, the pavilion was constructed of poured concrete and concrete block at a reported cost of $100,000 in 1965, which was a substantial investment at the time. Its mushroom-like silhouette earned it the nickname that has endured for decades.
Originally, the structure included an open cabana space beneath and featured a drawbridge entry system from the tram landing for security. According to Eric Naegle, son of the architect, his father famously described the design as built “to resist the most destructive force in nature… teenagers.”
The pavilion has long been both a coastal landmark and a magnet for vandalism. Newspaper accounts from as early as 1969 describe security concerns and trespassing issues. In recent years, graffiti and cliff instability have further complicated preservation efforts. Coastal erosion, bluff failures, and sea-level rise have threatened the structure’s long-term viability, and portions of the adjacent bluff have experienced documented geologic failure.
A 2023 planning report referenced block falls and soil accumulation behind the structure, describing the pavilion as being under “imminent threat” from geological conditions. Efforts to remove debris and stabilize the bluff have historically involved complex permitting challenges due to Coastal Commission oversight and environmental discharge regulations.
The current owner, a San Diego philanthropist who purchased the property in 1987, previously indicated there were no plans to demolish the pavilion, despite ongoing maintenance challenges. Now, with active construction underway and most of the exterior graffiti already painted over, the building appears poised for a new chapter.
The possibility of converting the pavilion into a lifeguard facility would mark a significant functional shift from its original purpose as a private guest retreat. If confirmed, the adaptive reuse could provide both preservation and public benefit, potentially solving long-standing security and vandalism issues by establishing a continuous municipal presence.
The Mushroom House is not currently designated as a historic resource by the City of San Diego. Formal historic status would require review and approval by the City’s Historic Resources Board. Nevertheless, its architectural pedigree, mid-century modern roots, and coastal visibility have cemented its place in local lore.
For decades, surfers have used it as a landmark meeting point. Hikers descending from the Torrey Pines Gliderport have treated it as a destination. Photographers have framed it against sunsets and winter swells. Few private structures in San Diego command such universal recognition.
Details regarding scope of work, funding, environmental review, and timeline have not yet been released publicly. SanDiegoVille has reached out to the City of San Diego Lifeguards Division for clarification regarding the intended use of the structure and will update this story as more information becomes available.
For now, one thing appears certain: the Mushroom House is not disappearing from the La Jolla coastline. It is being rebuilt.
Originally published on February 18, 2026.
Originally, the structure included an open cabana space beneath and featured a drawbridge entry system from the tram landing for security. According to Eric Naegle, son of the architect, his father famously described the design as built “to resist the most destructive force in nature… teenagers.”
The pavilion has long been both a coastal landmark and a magnet for vandalism. Newspaper accounts from as early as 1969 describe security concerns and trespassing issues. In recent years, graffiti and cliff instability have further complicated preservation efforts. Coastal erosion, bluff failures, and sea-level rise have threatened the structure’s long-term viability, and portions of the adjacent bluff have experienced documented geologic failure.
A 2023 planning report referenced block falls and soil accumulation behind the structure, describing the pavilion as being under “imminent threat” from geological conditions. Efforts to remove debris and stabilize the bluff have historically involved complex permitting challenges due to Coastal Commission oversight and environmental discharge regulations.
The current owner, a San Diego philanthropist who purchased the property in 1987, previously indicated there were no plans to demolish the pavilion, despite ongoing maintenance challenges. Now, with active construction underway and most of the exterior graffiti already painted over, the building appears poised for a new chapter.
The possibility of converting the pavilion into a lifeguard facility would mark a significant functional shift from its original purpose as a private guest retreat. If confirmed, the adaptive reuse could provide both preservation and public benefit, potentially solving long-standing security and vandalism issues by establishing a continuous municipal presence.
The Mushroom House is not currently designated as a historic resource by the City of San Diego. Formal historic status would require review and approval by the City’s Historic Resources Board. Nevertheless, its architectural pedigree, mid-century modern roots, and coastal visibility have cemented its place in local lore.
For decades, surfers have used it as a landmark meeting point. Hikers descending from the Torrey Pines Gliderport have treated it as a destination. Photographers have framed it against sunsets and winter swells. Few private structures in San Diego command such universal recognition.
Details regarding scope of work, funding, environmental review, and timeline have not yet been released publicly. SanDiegoVille has reached out to the City of San Diego Lifeguards Division for clarification regarding the intended use of the structure and will update this story as more information becomes available.
For now, one thing appears certain: the Mushroom House is not disappearing from the La Jolla coastline. It is being rebuilt.
Originally published on February 18, 2026.
