With beautiful year-round weather, a stunning coastline, the largest wooden pier on the west coast, a quaint New England-style harbor and world-class surf, Oceanside certainly has a lot to offer. In addition to the city’s vibrant history and iconic landmarks, O’side continues to innovate and welcome new and exciting businesses and experiences throughout its diverse neighborhoods. With the addition of new dining options, lodging accommodations and family-friendly activities, you’re not going to want to miss out on all that Oceanside has to offer!
Check out these 10 reasons why you’ll want to make our beach city your next bucket list destination.
New Culinary Experiences
The word is out, Oceanside’s culinary revolution is drawing foodies from all over! As our talented restauranteurs gain accolades, several new establishments are gearing up to make a splash. Celebrated restaurant duo and Oceanside locals Davin and Jessica Waite (Wrench & Rodent, The Plot, Shoots Fish & Beer)are bringing their award-winning sustainability-minded ethos to the pier starting with plans for the 109-square-foot kiosk that sits adjacent to the larger restaurant space set to open spring 2023. Eater San Diego shares that chef Davin’s menu will be partly modeled after the classic seaside shacks he used to visit with his family in England but given a modern, SoCal spin. Expect fish and chips and other easily-portable seafood plates featuring seasonal local catch as well as some raw fish dishes and vegan options.
Transforming older buildings into new, innovative and revitalized dining concepts is kinda Oceanside’s thing. Coming Spring 2023, Freeman Collectiveis a social destination comprised of some of the finest and most unique food and beverage options in town. Straddling Freeman Street, the “Collective” includes two iconic buildings that house seven incredible brands a mere 483 steps from the Pacific Ocean. All 7 businesses have been announced:HomeState,Blackmarket Bakery,Corner Pizza,Northside Shack,Artifex,Swagyu Chop ShopandLittle Foxare on their way to South O!
Oceanside’s dining scene has been mapped recently by San Diego Magazineas emerging as a somewhat surprising source of elevated Asian fusion food.Mak Mak Organicwill add to the growing list of “high-end, tasteful, cultural, and gastronomic openings” with their healthy South East Asian-inspired street fare. This from-scratch kitchen will feature recipes from Chef’s world travels, homespun, quick-serve, daily eats. In Thai, mak mak means very very, and that sentiment of caring about their diners ‘very very much’ is translated through their model of organic with transparent storytelling behind the farms, ranches and purveyors they support.
Michelin restaurant count climbs to three. The most recent edition of California’s Michelin Guide included the addition of Valle Oceanside, celebrated Baja Chef Roberto Alcocer’s first stateside restaurant inspired by the cuisine of Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley wine country. Valle joins the Balinese-inspired Oceanside restaurant Dija Mara, which has been highlighted on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list since 2021. Newly opened in January is another Bib Gourmand-honored restaurant, Heritage Barbecue and Beer. Oceanside will be the second location for Heritage and the first to feature house-brewed craft beer.
Recent openings includeRyes and Grind, a breakfast and lunch establishment from chef Daniel Pundik (Local Tap House) rooted in East Coast Jewish deli traditions;Toasted Gastrobrunch, a brunch-to-dinner restaurant with Mediterranean-inspired menu in a whimsical indoor-outdoor space; andQ&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar, a New Orleans inspired cozy venue occupying the first floor of the new historic Brick Hotel. If you want a unique culinary experience,Carla and Linda’s Walking Food Toursgives diners a small taste of a few local hits all in one curated session.
Boutique Stays
Explore a boutique retreat in Oceanside! Located in downtown just two blocks from the Oceanside Transportation Center,The Fin Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has a rich vibrant history going back to the 1920’s and is surrounded by places to shop, surf and dine. Built-in 1888, theSchuyler Buildinghas been transformed into a new Downtown getaway, namedThe Brick Hotel. Experience the venue’s dining and sips selections:Frankie’s co*cktail Bar,Q&A Restaurant,Cococabana Rooftop Barand a direct pathway toStone Brewing Tap Room. Make your way to South Oceanside to experience the California-coolThe Green Room Hotel. Their individually curated rooms are a nod to the surf and sound subcultures of Southern California from generations past and present.
Shop Local
Oceanside prides itself in its shops, favoring local artisans, unique goods and vintage finds over common chains.
Do you have an eye for vintage vibes, MCM charm, tangible jams and an endless supply of unique? You’ll be sure to find the treasures you’re looking for at the vast 13,000 sq ftSeahive Marketplaceor one of South O’s vintage spots.If alternative medicine and holistic healing is your vibe,Moonlight and Sage,Oceanside Alternative MedicineandFlourish and Live Wellare your spots, or head to Artist Alley for a trip into the unexpected!The Ozoneis a carefully curated destination for sought-after labels, lifestyle must-haves and vintage collectibles that make the perfect gift.TheTremont Collectivehouses a number of noteable stops including Oceanside-bornBrixton,The Annex,Atacama.
Wellness Experiences
To vacation in Oceanside is to truly live like a local during your stay. Spend just a few hours in our iconic coastal oasis and you’ll immediately pick up on the laid back vibe and calming atmosphere the serene, coastal landscape provides. Although there is fun to be had for any imploring thrill seeker, there are a range of experiences and escapes available for those who are looking for acustomized wellness itineraryduring their vacation.
If you’re looking for a place where relaxation is an art form, then look no further thanSunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge. Located insideThe Seabird Resort, this full-service spa offers everything you could dream of! Deep-tissue massages, Reiki treatments, gorgeous sauna facilities and a luxurious full-service beauty lounge… the list goes on!Get to the top ofThe Brick HotelforDelve Together‘s weeklyrooftopyoga sessions. Watch as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean with their “slow flow” class featuring sun salutations, soothing breathwork, and a cozy AF* Savasana (*as flannel). If you’re seeking a source of inspiration and artistry, look no further than a visit to theOceanside Museum of Art (OMA). Withrotating exhibitionsfrom a variety of cutting-edge artists, OMA offers day passes available for any art lover – may they be new to the visual arts medium, a longtime museum-goer, an artist themself, student or intrigued visitor.
The Craft Beverage Scene
From breweries to wine-tasting rooms, coffee stops to tea shops and everything in between, Oceanside is the place for craft beverages. To help you taste your way through the city without missing a stop, sign up for the freeO’side Sips passport program! Complete with sip locations, exclusive coupons and tiered rewards, simply select your preferred drink category, check in at your destination and enjoy! Check out some of the newest sips spots likeThe Space Pad, a 1950s Atomic Era Intergalactic Spaceport Speakeasy.Carruth Cellarsan urban winery set inside of Hangar 76’s 14,500-square feet operation, andKNVS, a first-of-its-kind immersive art gallery and co*cktail hub., where guests nosh and sip on a themed menu. Every drop is full of spirit and ingenuity!
Home to 15 breweries and tasting rooms including award-winning breweries likeBelching Beaver, local OGBagby, and skater’s paradiseBlack Plague, Oceanside has a brew for you. If varietals are more your vintage, Oceanside wine experience vary from urban winery tasting rooms alive with live music likeCoomber Craft Winesor a classic wine-tasting experience like that atBeach House Winery. A locally roasted cup of coffee is just around the corner with your pick of local coffee shops likeIgniteandVigilanteroasting beans on site!
Agricultural Hotspots
Experience Oceanside’s cornucopia of agricultural experiences! Weekly trips to theFarmer’s Marketon Thursday from 9am to 1pm lead you to ocean views as you browse the selection of gourmet baked goods, fresh seafood, and arts and crafts. Stop by theMellano Farm Standif you’re looking for a family-friendly day spent out in the sun. Enjoy their robustcalendar of eventsand plan a day full of tractor rides, arts & crafts, U-Pick strawberries, and much more! Be sure to add the inland oasisGuajome Regional Parkto your outdoor adventure list. Explore 4.5 miles of park trails to meander through, surrounded by chaparral, woodlands, wetlands, and mixed grasslands! If you’re feeling thirsty,Beach House Wineryis growing wine off the vine for you to enjoy as you overlook our coastline.
Historical Landmarks
Our beach city has a rich and fascinating history.Downtown Oceanside Historical Landmarkssuch as thePierand theMission San Luis Reystill stand, telling stories that theOceanside Historical Societyworks hard to preserve. A notable landmark is theTop Gun house (Graves House)which is a cinematic jewel that has been newly restored and is open to the public as a nostalgic American-inspired pie shop.The Bunker House, which opened in 1886 a few years before the city of Oceanside was established, had many lives as a town meeting hall, dance room and music store and is now a gathering spot to eat, drink, socialize and enjoy live music. TheFin Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, opened in 1927 and was a popular hotel for celebrities during the 1930s and 1940s. The most common historical question, what’s up with those iconic pink houses along The Strand?Roberts Cottageshave welcomed vacationers since the 1920s!
Fun for the Whole Family
When it’s time for the family to unplug and reconnect there is no better place than Oceanside for your next Southern California vacation. Pack up your loved ones andtake the scenic route! Our family-friendly community boasts miles of sandy beach, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and stimulating cultural attractions to keep every member of the family smiling.
Plan a trip around casting a line off the 1,954-foot-long pier with someexpert fishing tips, soak up the beautiful weather and fresh air on thehiking trailsorbike trail, experience our world-classmuseumsand say “Hello” to our sealife friends on awhale watchingtour! Check out our full list ofFamily-Friendly Activities!
This is also the ideal destination for families looking to explore Southern California thanks to its central location between Los Angeles, Orange Country, and San Diego. Famous attractions such as LEGOLAND California Resort, San Diego Zoo, and Disneyland California Resort are all just a short drive or train ride away. OurCalifornia Welcome CenteroffersDiscount Attraction Ticketsto make amusem*nt travel a breeze! Many even take the opportunity foreducational travel experienceswhile in town! Whether you’re schooling with a designated pod, roadschooling, worldschooling, unschooling, or classic homeschooling, our city has activities that will enrich your program and be the perfect supplement to your curriculum.
Unexpected Things to Do
Time will fly and so can you in Oceanside! Consider booking the ‘Ultimate Selfie Package’ withWaverider Helicopter Toursfor pictures that will blow your friends away. Prefer sticking closer to the ground but still want the rush of wind and the feeling of weightlessness? Look no further than indoor skydiving atiFLY Oceanside. For an unmatched view of the coast, the adventurous types can partake in a truly unique skydiving experience atGoJump Oceanside!
Cruise the beach in style with fun rental options in Oceanside like electric bikes fromMostly E-bikesorRide O’side’sfat tire electric scooters. For groups that like to take things at a slower pace, look no further thanWheel Fun Rentalsand their fun two or four person surreys which can be rented right on The Strand, a “must-do” with kids!
The Main Event
With an average daily temperature of 72 degrees it’s easy to see why Oceanside is home to so many world-class events! Whether you want to watch professional athletes in their element atIronman Oceanside 70.3orSuper Girl Surf Proor be part of the action yourself atO’side Turkey TrotorBike the Coast, Oceanside’s got you covered.
Beyond athletics, Oceanside is home to many cultural events and art festivals including theOceanside International Film Festival,Plein Air Art Festival, and the forthcomingSoCal Asian Pacific Islander Festival. If food and libations are your preference,Taste of Oceansideand O’side Flavor might be more your taste. Enjoy our coastal destination to the fullest by checking out ourOceanside Event Calendar!
Published: February 10, 2023
Categories: 
Blog, Things To Do
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