Oceanside California Vacation Guide

Where to Stay And Things To See In Oceanside

If you’ve never been to Oceanside California before, your first stop might as well be at the California Welcome Center, where you can pick up plenty of information about visiting this area and California in general. It’s right off the Interstate 5 freeway. Take exit 54B and head towards the Coast Highway, merge onto the San Luis Rey Mission Expressway and turn a quick right onto Coast Highway.

Camp Pendleton is the well known military base and marine corps training center located in Oceanside. But besides that, the town has about 3 miles of nice, sandy beaches.

Oceanside Beaches

Oceanside beach weather is sunny and warm nearly most of the year, making it a popular vacation destination. Starting at the north end of town near the harbor and running south to the Buena Vista Lagoon, there is a whole lotta beach. It’s a very popular place for surfing and body boarding, and around 15 competitions are held here every year.

Harbor Beach is on the peninsula strip located outside of the harbor. Here you’ll find restrooms, a snack bar, fire rings and volleyball nets.

Breakwater Way is just south of that and also has restrooms and volleyball. At Pier View North, just north of the Oceanside Pier, there is the Oceanside Beach Community Center. They offer fun activities for anyone all year round.

On the other side of the pier is Pier View South, which is a much more crowded beach and where all the action is, such as surfing competitions. There is a pay parking lot. The pier is within walking distance to restaurants, downtown and surf shops. The strand is a mile long promenade along the beach, lined with palm trees.

Tyson Street Beach has a park and playground in addition to restrooms. Wisconsin Street Beach also has restrooms, but high tide can make this beach quite narrow.

Oceanside Boulevard Beach has no restrooms, and you park on the street. It is lined with oceanview houses. Then there’s the very small Buccaneer Beach, which has free parking and restrooms and a snack bar across the street at a park with a playground.

Lastly, there’s South Oceanside, a beach which features tide pools, a snack bar, restrooms and a playground.

Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor At the harbor, you’ll find yachts, boats, restaurants on the water and shops to browse. A 4 lane boat ramp allows you to bring your own watercraft. You can also rent kayaks if you like. The harbor makes a good stop for sailors on their way between San Diego and Newport Beach.

The California Surf Museum

For all those into surfing, the California Surf Museum at 223 N. Coast Highway features exhibits about the evolution of the surfboard and the sport itself.

More Things To Do

At the south end of town, just before Carlsbad is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve called Buena Vista Lagoon.

For art lovers, there’s the Oceanside Museum of Art downtown near the train station.

California history buffs will appreciate visiting the largest of all the state’s missions: Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, founded in 1798. They offer self guided tours and are located about four miles inland from the freeway. Behind the mission is the Heritage Park Village and Museum, which is an 1800’s era village on display.

Getting There By Train

The beach community of Oceanside California is eighty four miles south of Los Angeles and at the north end of San Diego County. Take Mission Ave. exit off of the I-5.

To get to Oceanside California by train, you can take Amtrak from San Diego or Los Angeles. In addition, Metrolink runs north to L.A. or northeastward to the Inland Empire. The Coaster is another option down to San Diego or any of the North County beach towns.

To get to Oceanside California via the rails, you can take Amtrak from San Diego or Los Angeles. In addition, Metrolink runs north to L.A. or northeastward to the Inland Empire. The Coaster is another option down to San Diego or any of the North County beach towns.

Oceanside Restaurants

While there are many, many more restaurants in Oceanside, if you’re on vacation, you’ll probably want to visit one of the restaurants at the harbor near the water. They vary from seafood fine dining to a traditional fish & chips joint.

• Rockin’ Baja Oceanside Harbor
• Lighthouse Oyster Bar & Grill
• Tony’s Sports Bar & Grill
• Dominics
• Robin’s Nest Cafe
• Joe’s Crab Shack
• Harbor Fish and Chips
• Monterey Bay Canner Restaurant and Oyster Bar
• Jolly Roger

The Oceanside Pier

The Oceanside Pier sits at the end of North Meyers Street, a block from Mission Avenue In Oceanside. There is fishing on the pier, fish cleaning facilities, and restrooms. At the end of the pier is Ruby’s Diner, a popular fifties style diner.

Living in Oceanside

Oceanside, a beach community just north of Del Mar, has it all…. gorgeous weather, excellent surf, and beautiful beaches. Serving as a major transportation link between San Diego and Los Angeles, Oceanside is located on the western coast of California on the Gulf of Santa Catalina.

Over 3.5 miles of white sandy beaches allow frolicking in the sand, sunbathing, and beach recreation. The beaches, especially those to the north of the pier, are wide and sandy, allowing ample room for lounging in the sun or picnicking. Fire rings, available to early birds, add a small-town touch to evening relaxation.

One of the longest wooden piers on the western coast, Oceanside pier offers 1,942 feet of strolling and fishing vantage points. The pier, home to a variety of exciting events including surfing competitions as well as bodyboarding and body surfing contests, is a veritable hot spot for social gathering. Its amphitheater is also host to numerous entertainment events.

A red and white lighthouse is a prominent icon of Oceanside Harbor. Very affordable fishing tours and boating excursions are plentiful within a harbor that houses over one thousand boats. Sportfishing, high and low impact water activities and whale watching are favorite pastimes of residents and tourists alike. If the ocean aroma filling the air isn’t tempting enough, take a step into one of the fine dining establishments. There are several fine Oceanside restaurants from which to choose.

Souvenirs can be picked up in Heritage Park Village where many of Oceanside’s original buildings still stand. Upscale boutiques, quaint shops, fancy restaurants, and cozy cafes provide the shopping experience of a lifetime, as well as the opportunity to pick up a few moments.

A variety of art galleries, interesting museums, and art shows offer a taste of culture in Oceanside, California. Images of Oceanside’s past are visible at the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, located just four miles from the harbor. Also known as the king of missions, it is an impressive piece of historical architecture that features influences from Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican cultures.

Temperatures that average from a low of 52 F to a high of 69 F degrees make Oceanside a very desirable place to visit and even a better place to live. If you are interested in relocating, there are several Oceanside real estate agents that know where the best real estate values can be discovered. From spacious luxury homes to beachfront properties, condos, and affordable houses, you’ll find real estate here is quite a in demand.

No reason to stay outside the area since there is a great selection of both discount motels and hotels in Oceanside from which to choose. There are many other lodging options including vacation rentals, bed and breakfast inns, and beachfront homes for rent. Imagine breathing clean crisp air while enjoying spectacular ocean views from your own front porch. Whether you are on a family vacation, traveling on business, or enjoying a romantic honeymoon getaway, you’ll find accommodations that will complement your style and budget.

Kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, surfing, boating, skydiving, shopping, and an indulging day at the spa are all available in a beautiful Oceanside CA and even more attractions and adventure await you in other San Diego communities.

Welcome to Oceanside. You will love it here.

As the third-largest city in San Diego County, Oceanside offers a convenient suburban lifestyle to its residents. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is located close by. The city has a diverse business climate, reasonably priced real estate, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Families will benefit from a choice of school districts as well as two comprehensive high schools.