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It doesn’t get much sweeter than this; sun most days of the year, easy to get to and affordable. Oceanside always surprises me. It’s one California beach city that is too often overlooked, but that’s changing.
Tom Cruise’s house featured in the movie, Top Gun.
Perched between the military base, Camp Pendelton, and San Diego proper, it’s often just a blip on the GPS for drivers going north or south, but they’re missing out. I love spending a day or two walking downtown, visiting the beach, the museums and discovering new restaurants and happy hours. The harbor area is worth exploring too.
The city rolls out its best for events year round. A giant heart balloon is seen around town during Valentine’s week. There are multiple charity runs and organized bike rides. Cultural events abound from the Oceanside museum, the Surf museum, the Starlight theater and galleries. The craft brew and gastropub scenes are percolating. Some great sushi and seafood can be found from white tablecloth establishments to casual pizza, health foods and taco stands.
Josh Weigel and his draft Kombucha at Living Tea.
Hello Betty has seating indoor, rooftop or along the sidewalk.
A view from the pier.
The California Surf Museum, local murals and the Oceanside Art Museum.
My favorite is the beach. The pier is long and worth a stroll whether it’s stormy or the sky is bright. Along the waterfront quaint bungalows line the sea wall. The wide open sand makes dipping into the water a must. If you love surfing or boogie boarding, the waves will make you delirious.
Views from the Springhill Marriott Hotel in Oceanside
Where to stay for your California beach adventure in Oceanside?
There are several BnB’s in the area and a number of hotels. The fresh, Springhill Suites Marriott, just a block from the water, is one choice. The view from their roof top pool is stunning.
Photo courtesy of Masters Kitchen and Cocktail
Where to eat in Oceanside:
- Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub is a culinary adventure you’ll savor long after the plate’s clean. Award-winning, Chef Davin Waite features local seafood, produce, and chef-picked ingredients.
- Zig Zag Pizza Pie lets you pick your ingredients, your drinks out of the cooler and chops salads just steps from the Oceanside pier.
- Hello Betty Fish House has a California beach theme and fresh eats inside or out.
- Swami’s on Mission Avenue is one of the first healthy eating cafes in San Diego
- 333 Pacific is a Cohn family restaurant with a bit more polish than most in the pier neighborhood. Stylish cocktails and sumptuous fare.
- Masters Kitchen and Cocktail is a few blocks from downtown on South Coast Highway. It’s one of many innovative brew pubs / casual dining spots in the area. (Of course I had to include my namesake!)
- Living Tea Brewing Company serves fresh, organic Kombucha in their storefront at 302 Wisconsin Avenue. It’s also available bottled around San Diego.
The most recent mural outside of Wrench and Rodent on South Pacific Highway.
Getting to your California beach adventure in Oceanside:
Drive: The beach is just west of the Interstate 5 freeway and Pacific Coast Highway off Mission Boulevard.
Ride: The Amtrak station is close to downtown and the beach. There’s a great deal for weekend travelers from Metrolink. You buy a pass for Saturday or Sunday for just $10 to travel anywhere Metrolink goes. It makes visiting Oceanside even easier with the terminus there and access to the Coaster and Amtrak lines throughout San Diego County (a separate ticket.)
Here’s some of the views going into Oceanside along the coast.
Whether it’s a short vacation or a swim stop between destinations, there’s lots to do and explore on a California beach adventure in Oceanside.
Extend your California beach adventure and travel anywhere on the Metrolink system for just $10 on Saturday or Sunday with the Weekend Day Pass. More info:http://www.metrolinktrains.com/news/p…
I hope that you enjoyed this brief California beach adventure and will share these pins.
Oceanside was always our the end of our bike ride and then we would take the Coaster back to Old Town. We have been watching Animal Kingdom lately. It’s kind of like a surfing Sons of Anarchy that’s set in Oceanside so we have been seeing a lot of the sites on TV. I hear that Top Gun II is coming out soon. Tom Cruise is back in San Diego and all of the old locations are being revamped. I wonder if the Top Gun house looks the same or if it has gotten a fresh coat of paint. Sounds like a “top gun sites” blog post is in order.
I think you’re onto something with a Top Gun post. Admire your long distance riding skills.
Love seeing Oceanside featured here. I’ve lived in Oceanside for almost 15 years and have seen the downtown transformation into such a cool area to hang out. Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub and Hello Betty are awesome choices. We’re loving all the other breweries popping up. A walk along the pier is always a wonderful too. One of these days soon, I’ll write about this awesome beach town so thanks for the inspiration .
I can see it transforming too. Wonderful that great food, brews and drink is becoming popular there. That coupled with its affordability and natural charm make it interesting and a fun choice for a get away.
I’m visiting California later this year and trying to get ideas together of where to go. I would like to fit in some of the great beaches and maybe some less well known. Oceanside could be a good option. The photos look beautiful and its well connected. Thanks for sharing
I hope you enjoy your visit, Katie. Oceanside is worth exploring.
Oceanside gives the feel of a comfortable, easygoing town. You just can’t go wrong with a stroll on the beach and some tasty food. Hope the changes to the town build on this vibe!
I think the growth is coming along in measured doses. There’s still a bit of a rough edge and room for creativity. Sandwiched as it is next to the military base and the tourist attractions further south, I don’t see gentrification getting carried away.
Beach adventures are the best.. n this one looks like a trip worthwhile! 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks, Aditi, it was a special get away. Nice meeting you at the Weekly Postcard too.
This place looks so familiar, I feel like I visited Oceanside when I worked at a summer camp over a a decade ago. Memories galore. Looks like I need to get back!
That’s pretty cool about re-kindling old memories! I hope you can stop by sometime again.
Isn’t Southern California beautiful, Elaine? I think we are so blessed to live close to the ocean. I’ve been at Laguna Beach yesterday and enjoyed the same kind of heavenly weather like you did in Oceanside.
Anda, we are so blessed! I love Laguna too. A very different, more sophisticated vibe than O’side but that’s you! I was at the Hotel Del Coronado yesterday and kept marveling at how warm and lovely it was.
Elaine, I am really exciting about your post. I have been to Oceanside only once. It was cold and foggy, so, we weren’t able to appreciate the town appropriately. I have been wanting to return fro ages. Your guide will help me to plan a full day in the city. It would be fun to find the same spots you have presented in here.
Lovely, Ruth. There’s so much more to explore. Check out bike paths, other brew pubs on the Coastal Highway….
Great tips. I love San Diego but haven’t been here yet. Oceanside looks like a wonderful place to explore that I didn’t know about before. Now I know 🙂
The city has a few rough edges but that’s a big part of its charm. Other beach cities in the SD area are more polished and expensive as you head towards downtown. Lots to explore in this ‘neck-o-the-woods.’
Oh so many tempting places to explore in this ol’ world and you’ve just added another to my list. Since childhood daydreams (so many decades ago) there has always been something magical to me about a California beach. . .maybe the Beach Boys helped foster that belief, but whatever the case, I’ve added this as a stop the next time I head south!
I hope you get to reconnect with those memories and longings in O’side one day.
It’s cool to see they have a kombucha brewer there. I’m in love with kombucha. I’m also interested in the craft breweries. Sounds like a great day trip.
Laura, being a fellow foodie, I can say that you’d love what’s going on in the area.
Thanks for the heads up! I’d never heard of Oceanside before, unlike other more famous neighbours such as San Diego.
Definitely worth a gander. It’s not as glitzy, with a mix of rough edges and new chic happening. Then there’s that beach!
Good tip on the Metroline on Sundays $10. I’ve never been to California but it would definitely be on my USA list.
That weekend rate is one great deal and is available from late Friday through Sunday wherever the Metroline runs. I hope you can try it one day.
I haven’t been to Oceanside in about a decade. Looks like I need to get back and explore. Thanks for sharing.
The area has grown up over the last few years and there’s so much more going on than I could add in the post. Keep an eye on the Chamber events page online for tips.
Never been to California 🙁 And of my best friends lives there!! So gotta visit – it looks amazing!
I hope you get a chance to come play with your bestie sometime soon.
We are going to be in LA in October and this sounds great! I didn’t know about it so thanks for the heads up!
It’s a fine trip by train going south along the beach. I hope you try it.
I’ve passed by Oceanside when I lived and worked in San Diego, but never got the opportunity to visit. Many people raved about it and after seeing your post with such great photos, I’m convinced I need to add it to my bucket list!
Glad the photos inspired you to visit!
I don’t know when I will next be in California, but you really sold Oceanside well. Looks like there are a lot of great restaurant options and we love Kambucha!
I’m a new Kombucha devotee! Lots of places are brewing it locally now. Oceanside is a sweet stop along the coast between San Diego and stops north.
Some great tips. Fancy Tom Cruise house from Top Gun still standing!
I know that house is still there! Hope you can visit the beach soon, Roma.
I’ve never been to California…but it’s definitely on my wish list!
Great and useful post for future travellers
Thanks, Fiona. I hope you’ll come visit one day.
The views in that video are incredible. Definitely worth checking out in our big road trip in the US. Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Take the train, the Surfliner, if you get the chance. The views are worth it, there are plugs in seats too.
I love Oceanside. I recently stopped in to the surf museum there. Such a beautiful spot.
Glad to hear you know about Oceanside. It has a few rough edges but the downtown area is such fun.
I’m sold, I will visit in March!
Nice to hear! Have fun and may your skies be sunny.