{"id":354415,"date":"2026-06-10T08:51:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T08:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/354415\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T08:51:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T08:51:27","slug":"americas-weirdest-lifeguard-tower-opens-in-san-diego-and-it-cost-2-5m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/354415\/","title":{"rendered":"America\u2019s weirdest lifeguard tower opens in San Diego \u2014 and it cost $2.5M"},"content":{"rendered":"

A temporary lifeguard tower<\/a> that has popped up on one of San Diego<\/a>\u2018s busiest stretches of sand is turning heads after residents learned the structure carries a price tag of roughly $2.5 million.<\/p>\n

The elevated tower, which resembles a giant industrial platform perched above the sand in Mission Beach<\/a>, officially opened in May ahead of a busy summer season as crews work around a crumbling permanent lifeguard station nearby.<\/p>\n

The structure features a tiny traditional white lifeguard pod awkwardly perched on top of a massive multi-story web of steel scaffolding and open staircases, all fenced off right next to a busy pedestrian walkway.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The structure features a traditional white lifeguard pod perched on top of a massive, multi-story web of steel scaffolding. Inside San Diego<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The structure had to be built on sand in a harsh coastal environment, which required additional engineering. Inside San Diego<\/p>\n

After early reports suggested that taxpayers were footing a $4 million bill for what appeared to be just a temporary lifeguard stand, critics blasted the project as an example of mismanaged funds.<\/p>\n

City officials insist the story is more complicated, and issued a fact check.<\/p>\n

The actual construction cost of the temporary observation tower and an adjacent office trailer was about $2.5 million.<\/p>\n

Another $500,000 went toward design and permitting, while the remaining costs covered emergency stabilization work, utility connections, structural monitoring, site preparation and safety improvements at the deteriorating permanent station.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The old lifeguard station had deteriorated to the point that inspectors deemed it unsafe. Inside San Diego<\/p>\n

The short-term facility sits just north of the aging Mission Beach Lifeguard Station near Belmont Park, which the city states \u201cis one of San Diego\u2019s most visited coastal communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is not a seasonal tower, and will be staffed year-round and serves as one of nine permanent lifeguard stations along the city\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n

The existing station has become so deteriorated that inspectors deemed it unsafe. Large cracks had appeared throughout, and reportedly rusted metal framing was also visible along the roofline.<\/p>\n

Officials said they couldn\u2019t just head to the local hardware store and but a cheap, prefabricated shed to place on the beach.<\/p>\n

Since the structure had to be built directly on the shifting sands of a challenging coastal environment, it required intensive engineering, heavy foundation anchoring, and meet the standards of the California Coastal Commission<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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