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 GDC Construction Co.
An agent of the property owner confirmed to SanDiegoVille that the primary objective at this stage is to secure and stabilize the structure in compliance with a City order. While discussions have taken place about potentially converting the pavilion into a future lifeguard facility, those conversations remain preliminary and no formal agreement has been reached.
According to the agent, “The goal would be to have it become a lifeguard facility, but that is not definite and remains in the discussion phase.” At present, the focus is on securing the building, cleaning it up, and preventing ongoing vandalism and trespassing.
An agent of the property owner confirmed to SanDiegoVille that the primary objective at this stage is to secure and stabilize the structure in compliance with a City order. While discussions have taken place about potentially converting the pavilion into a future lifeguard facility, those conversations remain preliminary and no formal agreement has been reached.
According to the agent, “The goal would be to have it become a lifeguard facility, but that is not definite and remains in the discussion phase.” At present, the focus is on securing the building, cleaning it up, and preventing ongoing vandalism and trespassing.
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.”
That quip feels especially relevant today. According to the owner’s agent, the site has been plagued by aggressive graffiti vandals who repeatedly return to deface newly cleaned surfaces. “They are painting over spaces that have already been covered up,” the agent said, describing a relentless cycle of tagging and repainting.
More stringent security measures are expected to be implemented moving forward in an effort to deter trespassers and protect the structure from further damage. The immediate priority is preventing unauthorized access while rehabilitation work continues.
"This has been discussed for many years," explained City of San Diego Marine Safety Captain Maureen Hodges. "Currently, there has been no negotiation or proposal made regarding this idea. I have no information regarding activities on the premise. I recommend reaching out to the owner as it is private property."
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. With active construction underway and most of the exterior graffiti already painted over, the building appears poised for a new chapter focused first on stabilization and preservation.
If discussions with the City eventually materialize into a formal agreement, the adaptive reuse of the pavilion as a lifeguard facility would represent a significant shift from its original function as a private guest retreat. Such a move could provide both preservation and public benefit, potentially solving long-standing security issues by establishing a continuous municipal presence at the site.
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 dramatic coastal setting 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 long-term use, environmental review, and timeline have not yet been publicly finalized. SanDiegoVille has reached out to the City of San Diego Lifeguards Division for clarification regarding whether any formal proposal has been submitted 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 secured, preserved, and at least for now protected from the vandals who have long targeted it.
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.”
That quip feels especially relevant today. According to the owner’s agent, the site has been plagued by aggressive graffiti vandals who repeatedly return to deface newly cleaned surfaces. “They are painting over spaces that have already been covered up,” the agent said, describing a relentless cycle of tagging and repainting.
More stringent security measures are expected to be implemented moving forward in an effort to deter trespassers and protect the structure from further damage. The immediate priority is preventing unauthorized access while rehabilitation work continues.
"This has been discussed for many years," explained City of San Diego Marine Safety Captain Maureen Hodges. "Currently, there has been no negotiation or proposal made regarding this idea. I have no information regarding activities on the premise. I recommend reaching out to the owner as it is private property."
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. With active construction underway and most of the exterior graffiti already painted over, the building appears poised for a new chapter focused first on stabilization and preservation.
If discussions with the City eventually materialize into a formal agreement, the adaptive reuse of the pavilion as a lifeguard facility would represent a significant shift from its original function as a private guest retreat. Such a move could provide both preservation and public benefit, potentially solving long-standing security issues by establishing a continuous municipal presence at the site.
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 dramatic coastal setting 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 long-term use, environmental review, and timeline have not yet been publicly finalized. SanDiegoVille has reached out to the City of San Diego Lifeguards Division for clarification regarding whether any formal proposal has been submitted 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 secured, preserved, and at least for now protected from the vandals who have long targeted it.
Originally published on February 18, 2026.