Compared to
other similar beach dives, Beachcomber is difficult to get to.
Located at the south end of Mission Beach’s main drag Mission
Boulevard, there’s never any parking, and it’s a long walk on
tired feet back to Pacific Beach, where there is. Yet Beachcomber
pulls in the college-age crowd nightly with enthralling force and
consistency. It's even the several-time winner of Best Dive awards
from multiple publications. What is the source of Beachcomber’s
power?
Drink prices,
for one. On certain nights, cocktails can be purchased for a clinking
of quarters, and big, sloshy pitchers of cheap ale are only a few
dollars more. Intoxicating oneself at Beachcomber doesn’t cost must
more than it would at home, pouring shots out of a handle from
Ralph’s. Physically, Beachcomber is not too fair, but then again,
it’s not looks these fraternity-type patrons are after. At least,
not when it comes to interior decoration.
But they know the truth:
that there’s nothing more relaxing than coming straight off the
beach in board shorts or a bikini top, and shooting some pool over
ice-cold beers, all pretensions dropped outside the door. Of course,
free popcorn is a big plus, too.
Photo by: Bradley Schweit
