Visit Oceanside

Local Impact Partners

Kind Factors

Due to the southwest-facing coastline, the city has some of California's best year-round swell windows, attracting surfers worldwide. In fact, in 2022, Oceanside became an official training location for USA Surfing, the national federation for the sport of surfing. 

Thoughtful development matters to Oceanside’s leaders and residents alike. Growing tourism in a way that benefits the economy while also nurturing the environment and local community is essential to the city’s ongoing sustainability and health. To ensure this path forward, Visit Oceanside collaborated with the City of Oceanside to develop a Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, which provides a 10-year action plan for responsible tourism growth. The plan identifies an overarching vision and the steps for pursuing the experiences, infrastructure, products, and policies that will safeguard the long-term health of the destination and a high quality of life for residents.

How to Travel Kindly in O’side

Commit to being a responsible traveler in Oceanside by helping keep the coastal community clean, safe, and pristine for future generations. Join locals and visitors alike who have taken The O’side Oath, pledging the following:

• I will pack out what I pack to the beach, take only my memories, and leave only my footprints in the sand. 
• I will travel green by carrying a reusable water bottle, recycling my trash, and being conscious of my water use while visiting.
• I will stay a safe distance away from all wildlife and never feed a wild animal, including our abundant sea life and birds. 
• I will know the surf conditions and heed warnings from lifeguards. 
• I will know where I can go with my pet, always keeping it on a leash, and cleaning up after it. 

Other ways to travel kindly include:

• Choose to stay with participating Every Stay Gives Back lodging partners, where a portion of your stay will support either WILDCOAST Coastal Conservation or Berry Good Food Foundation 
• Arrive by train and walk and bike as much as possible.
• Dine at restaurants that support local farmers.
• Drink local, be it locally roasted coffee, craft brews, or spirits.
• Shop small and support independent local retailers and homegrown brands.
• Sign up for a WILDCOAST Dune Restoration or beach clean-up event.
• Use ocean-friendly sunscreens.

Local Impact Partners 

WILDCOAST

WILDCOAST is preserving the future of some of the world's most critical and endangered coastal and marine ecosystems. By safeguarding coastlines, ocean ecosystems, wetlands, and wildlands, WILDCOAST is ensuring that the ecological, economic, and recreational conditions of these wild places thrive for generations to come. The organization’s regional partners include Scripps Institution of Oceanography, NOAA, and the City of Oceanside’s Coastal Management agency. Together, they are working to preserve and protect Oceanside’s beaches and coastal dunes and the wildlife that resides in the beach habitat. By supporting the conservation and restoration of wetlands and dunes in San Diego County, WILDCOAST is helping to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion, provide essential habitat for migratory birds and marine species, and support these ecosystems that serve as a natural barrier against storm surges, thus bolstering community resilience in the face of climate change. Ultimately, WILDCOAST's efforts contribute to the sustainable use and enjoyment of Oceanside’s coastal and marine resources.

Berry Good Food Foundation

The Berry Good Food Foundation promotes sustainable food systems, fosters community resilience, and enhances food security in the San Diego and Baja California regions by advocating for local, organic, and regeneratively grown foods. The foundation encourages healthier eating habits while supporting local farmers and producers through educational programs, workshops, and resources that empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their food choices—also promoting environmental stewardship and social equity. Through its initiatives, the Berry Good Food Foundation helps address food-related challenges such as hunger, food waste, and environmental degradation, ultimately improving the overall well-being and quality of life for the people of San Diego and Baja California. 

Mindful Adventures 

With more than 3.5 miles of sandy beaches stretching along the coast, visitors can soak up the sun and splash in the surf at local beaches, including Harbor Beach, Breakwater Way, Tyson Street Beach, Pier Beach, and Buccaneer Beach. The Oceanside Pier (circa 1888) is the longest over-water wooden pier on the West Coast, reaching 1,942 feet over the sea and serving up epic coastal views. To get out on the water and immerse yourself in marine life, book a fishing charter, whale-watching tour, or private catamaran cruise out of Oceanside Harbor. Paddleboard and sea kayak rentals and other gear are also available at the Harbor.

Back on land, rent bikes to cycle the legendary Strand or neighborhood hop car-free. For an easy, short stroll with abundant bird-watching potential, walk the Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve Trail and check out its Audubon Center exhibits featuring some of the finest displays of local and migratory birds in the area. Guajome Regional Park is another one of the best birding spots in the region—at least 144 different species have been spotted within its boundaries. Find solitude and get your steps in on the El Corazon Park Nature Trail (1.9 miles out and back) or the Oak Riparian Loop Trail (1.5-mile loop). San Luis Rey River Bike Trail offers nine miles of scenic paved trail for running, walking, and cycling, while the Coastal Rail Trail connects Oceanside to neighboring beach cities to the south.

Conscious Culture

The Indigenous people whose land became Oceanside were called Luisenos by the Franciscans who founded Mission San Luis Rey in 1798, following the arrival of the Spanish explorer Portola in 1769. The mission became the center of colonial activity, rooting agriculture in the San Luis Rey Valley. Today, “The King of the Missions” is a stunning sight to behold, with striking architecture and immaculate gardens. Learn of the native San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians on a self-guided tour including a view of the oldest pepper tree in California. Every June, the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians Inter-Tribal Pow Wow celebrates Native American culture and heritage with music and dancing, games, food booths, arts and crafts, and more. In November, the Valley Arts Festival celebrates the Luiseño Tribe with family-friendly activities.

Oceanside is one of only 14 designated “California Cultural Districts” identified by the California Arts Commission. Experience cutting-edge art at the Oceanside Museum of Art, where you can explore the ever-changing contemporary art exhibitions featuring mostly Southern California artists and participate in community programs such as film screenings, art talks, and food events. Right across the street from the museum is Artists Alley, the go-to spot for up-and-coming artists to display their work. Explore colorful murals by local artists throughout O’side with the handy Mural Map.

Dive into the region’s rich surf culture and history at the California Surf Museum. The permanent collection chronicles the history of surfboards and wave-riding and revolving exhibitions exploring themes like wave science, body surfing, boogie boarding, and surf icons like shaper Donald Takayama. Speaking of shapers, one of the many innovative action sports companies with local roots includes Arctic Foam, the leading supplier of foam blanks for surfboards. The company made its mark creating an eco-friendly green algae technology in collaboration with scientists at UCSD (UC San Diego); curious walk-ins are always welcome at their Oceanside warehouse.

Based in Oceanside, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center produces several welcoming, inclusive events, including the annual Pride By The Beach street festival, which is held in June.

Dine & Shop Kindly 

With an array of eclectic eateries, gastropubs, beer gardens, new school taco shops, next-wave coffee houses, and reinvented sushi joints, in O’side, visitors can savor everything from Michelin-starred dining to inventive plant-based cuisine. Local chefs tap into the bounty grown in the city’s South Morro Hills area, home to flourishing organic farms that produce avocados, berries, tomatoes, vegetables, nuts, grapes, flowers, and even coffee beans.

Local eco-hero Chef Davin Waite, the culinary wizard behind Wrench and Rodent “Seabasstropub” and plant-based The Plot Restaurant, along with his wife and business partner Jessica, are celebrated sustainability pioneers who have been recognized for their commitment to zero-waste, total utilization, and regenerative dining. Their flavorful, award-winning restaurant menus feature many ingredients sourced from their own regeneratively farmed gardens.

Michelin-starred Valle is known for its artfully presented seasonal prix-fixe eight-course tasting menu. Other Michelin-endorsed eateries where local ingredients are the star include Balinese fusion at Dija Mara and modern Japanese at Matsu. Downtown hotspots The Lab Collaborative, Orfila Tasting Room and Kitchen, Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Piper, and 333 Pacific all offer elevated menus featuring locally sourced produce and products. For something more casual, Brine Box serves up “defiantly delicious” sustainable fish and chips style dishes from a renovated kiosk at the end of the pier.

Complementing the delicious dining experiences is a vibrant craft beverage scene that includes everything from craft beer to wine-tasting rooms, artisanal coffee and tea, and homegrown spirits. The O’side Sips Trail makes it easy for visitors to find and explore them all. One must-sip stop is Pacific Coast Spirits, North County’s only craft distillery featuring grain-to-glass spirits and a farm-to-table kitchen. Located at the west end of San Diego’s “Hops Highway” that runs from Oceanside to Escondido, Oceanside’s craft beer scene includes 14 breweries. 

Good food and prime shopping opportunities converge at the popular Thursday night (5-9 p.m.) Sunset Market featuring more than 200 vendors, including local makers, food sellers, live entertainment, and more fun for the whole family. Oceanside is known for its excellent vintage shopping at shops like Captain’s Helm and Sea Hive Marketplace. Other retail gems stocked with locally made goods and California lifestyle brands include The Ozone and Rising Co. Cult hatmaker Brixton started in Oceanside and is committed to earth-friendly practices such as using recycled fishnets, sustainable fibers, and vegan flannel. Take advantage of Brixton’s custom hat experience at the flagship store in the design district for a one-of-a-kind local souvenir. Linksoul, a stylish golf apparel line for men and women, is another O’side Original worth checking out.

Surfing is big business in Oceanside, too, with over 50 surf-related brands headquartered in the region. Oceanside has been at the forefront of surfboard design and manufacturing since the 1950s and is home to popular shapers such as Linden Surfboards, Byrne Surfboards, Chemistry Surfboards, XTR, Pure Fun Longboards, BYB Surfboards, and Whitlock Surf Experience.

Wellness Minded 

Known as a place of reflection, the “Spiritual Triangle” is a site where three religious landmarks are within view of each other and form a triangle across the San Luis Rey River Valley: Prince of Peace Benedictine Abbey to the North, Rosicrucian Fellowship to the West and Mission San Luis Rey to the East. Check out the Mystic Soul Ritual Shop downtown for crystals and other healing artifacts.

For proper pampering, look no further than Sunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge to book services, including massages, facials, reiki, manicures, pedicures, and more. Don’t miss The Cove, an active relaxation room combining a dry warming space, cooling mist, and an aromatherapy sanitarium. Other day spas offering holistic wellness and beauty treatments include Oceanside Healing Center and Le Bijou Holistic Spa.

Delve Together hosts weekly rooftop yoga classes at The Brick Hotel (sessions are complimentary for hotel guests). At the same time, Black Sheep Yoga Studio offers daily classes like restorative yoga with Reiki, sound healing, and summer SUP Yoga. Lagree + Versa Fit Oceanside leads 45-minute classes based on a reformer that marries the principles of Pilates with strength training and cardio. Challenge yourself at VITAL Climbing Gym, Oceanside’s premiere climbing gym. VERVE Studios brings spin class outside with a cardio workout combining rhythm-based choreography, high-intensity intervals, and upper-body strength training.

Kind Transport

Getting Around

O’side makes parking easy, with flat-rate and by-the-hour garages located near popular attractions, including the beach. Electric car drivers have access to at least 85 public charging stations. The gO’side Shuttle offers affordable electric shuttle service downtown through the Ride Circuit app. Various bike rentals are available from several outfitters, such as SoCal Bikes, Ride O’side, and Alan’s Bike Shop. Chains like Pedego and Wheel Fun Rentals also serve Oceanside.

Getting There

Oceanside is easily accessed by car from Interstate 5 and the historic Coast Highway 101. Amtrak’s scenic and convenient Pacific Surfliner makes daily stops at the Oceanside Transit Center, connecting the city to destinations including San Diego to the south and Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo to the north. The Transit Center is a central hub for three other rail lines: the Coaster, which operates a daily schedule between downtown San Diego and Oceanside; the Sprinter, which runs daily between Oceanside and Escondido to the east; and the Metrolink, which services Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino and Riverside. The station is in easy walking distance to waterfront hotels and downtown attractions. Oceanside is conveniently located near four major airports, including San Diego’s Lindberg Field (SAN), John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA), Los Angeles Airport (LAX), and Ontario Airport (ONT). McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad is located just 15 minutes south of Oceanside and offers nearby access for private and corporate jets.

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