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Oceanside’s Ripple Effect: Stay Here, Change the World

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By Kind Traveler  •  Posted on May 28, 2025

Along the Southern California coastline, there are more than a few iconic beachfront communities – places known for their stunning beaches, laid-back surfer vibe and vibrant food scene influenced by the rich diversity of cultures that call the region home.

Few of these beach communities, however, have remained as true to their historic beach community roots as Oceanside, in Northern San Diego County.

A city of just under 200,000 residents, visitors will find all the essentials for a perfect vacation in Oceanside: Natural beauty, expansive beaches, a walkable downtown, vibrant arts and culture offerings, and plenty of indulgent-worthy food options.

On top of all these reasons to plan a visit, there's an added feature that's especially important. Oceanside is a place that has long emphasized sustainable living and protecting the environment. And who doesn't love that?

"We recognize the symbiotic relationship between tourism and the community — when everything is in balance, the result is a healthy tourism economy and a high quality of life for residents."

In fact, when it comes to retaining the critical balance between nature and community, Oceanside recently took a major step forward. Last year marked the launch of Oceanside's first-ever Sustainable Tourism Master Plan — a 10-year roadmap guiding responsible tourism growth meant to support the local economy, preserve the environment, and enhance the community's well-being.

"It's one of the first plans in California to be informed by a sustainability assessment grounded in the best practices of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council," Geary points out.

The community's visionary leadership is just one of the things we love about Oceanside. If you're looking for a relaxing So Cal beach getaway that also protects the planet, read on for key details about what's on offer in Oceanside, California.

Oceanside's Kind Accommodations

Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back portfolio includes two properties in Oceanside that love giving back to the community and protecting the Earth as much as we do: Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals and Marbella Vacation Rentals.

 

Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals

From charming beach bungalows to luxe mansions where extended family and friends can enjoy fun in the sun together, Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals has plenty of options. Even better – all of its rentals offer direct beach access and are conveniently located near many of Oceanside's top attractions.

But equally importantly, when you reserve a stay directly with Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals, $2 from the booking proceeds is donated to support Berry Good Food Foundation, a local, grassroots non-profit organization. 

Berry Good focuses its efforts on helping to promote sustainable food systems, fostering community resilience, and enhancing food security in the San Diego and Baja California regions. It's a mission that was a natural fit for Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals.

"Partnering with Kind Traveler, Visit Oceanside, and Berry Good Foundation was an opportunity for us, and for our guests, to give back."

Already, $9,276 has been raised for Berry Good Food Foundation through the ESGB partnership. That money has been used to plant eight garden beds, host nine family-friendly, community cooking classes featuring seasonal, nutrient-dense recipes, and it also allowed more than 200 meals to be served in the Summerview/Tri-City community, says Christina Ng, program and development manager for Berry Good Food Foundation.

"This partnership means the world to Berry Good Food, as it has allowed our program to serve communities that we previously hadn't been able to reach," Ng tells Kind Traveler.

If you're interested in still more ways to help support Berry Good Food Foundation (beyond booking a stay directly with Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals) there are a few options, including:
 

  • Touching base with BGFF during your stay to find out what events may be happening during your visit to Oceanside. Travelers are always welcome to volunteer and take part in the organization's local edible garden spaces. In addition, team-building opportunities and group visits are encouraged (with advance notice).
     
  • Take a cooking class taught by various community chefs and food artisans. The Berry Good Food cooking classes allow participants to learn about the source of local and sustainable products. The classes also encourage participants to look for relationships instead of labels.
     

"Our Oceanside-based, ESGB-supported community cooking classes happen twice a month, and we'd love a friendly face to assist us in the kitchen," says Ng.

Marbella Vacation Rentals

A boutique beachfront property, Marbella offers vacation rentals on Oceanside's famous Strand. It's a classic So Cal location where you will wake up each morning to the sounds of the ocean's waves and where the days are guided by the simplicity of beach life.

Marbella is also within walking distance of Oceanside's famous municipal pier, a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, where you'll want to be sure to take a stroll. At 1,954 feet long, the pier is one of the longest on the West Coast.

Back at Marbella, the 21 guest rooms feature locally created artwork and a beach chic vibe. Guests can also wind down their beach days at the property's outdoor lounge, which features a fire pit ideal for roasting s'mores. 

As for helping to protect the planet, a stay at Marbella supports WILDCOAST, a local nonprofit focused on marine conservation.

Through Marbella's Every Stay Gives Back partnership, a portion of the proceeds from vacation rental bookings go directly to WILDCOAST's initiatives aimed at preserving and protecting coastal ecosystems in the Oceanside area.

Currently, WILDCOAST is safeguarding more than 545,000 acres of underwater parks off the coast of California, a space that is a critical migratory path for the wildlife that can be seen in the Southern California region. 

"Marine Protected Areas, like those WILDCOAST is helping to manage, are proven to increase marine biodiversity and species richness by providing the populations with safe habitats to repopulate and thrive," continues Tappe.

The key takeaway? By staying at Marbella and helping to support WILDCOAST, you can play a role in helping to protect these essential marine habitats for wildlife.

Since the Every Stay Gives Back partnership was established between Marbella and WILDCOAST, visitor stays have generated about $6,479. Moreover, 648 native wildlife creatures (pelicans, cormorants, herons and more) benefited from restored coastal habitat.

If you want to do even more to help WILDCOAST, the options include:

  • Make a direct donation to the organization through its website and sign up for the WILDCOAST newsletter.
  • Attend a WILDCOAST event. The organization's 2025 Baja Bash fundraiser is coming up in just a few weeks. It's slated to take place on June 14 and will feature food from sustainable chefs, music and more.

"Contributions like these are critical to launching and sustaining conservation work that directly benefits the local environment," adds Tappe. "This support helps ensure that future generations can enjoy healthy beaches, thriving wildlife, and natural buffers against sea level rise.”

 

Author Bio: Mia Taylor is an award-winning journalist and editor. She has been writing and editing professionally for 20 years and holds an undergraduate degree in print journalism and a graduate degree in journalism and media studies. Her career includes working as a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fortune, Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, Parents, and Health. 

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