Oceanside is a wonderful place to spend a weekend in Southern California. From the beautiful coastline to Michelin rated restaurants, there’s something to love for every traveler. You can also travel around Oceanside without a car since the train runs right through the city & everything is quite walkable!
Where is Oceanside, CA?
Oceanside is the northernmost beach city in San Diego county so if you’re landing in San Diego, it’s about 1 hr away. From Los Angeles, it’s about a 2 hour drive. Alternatively, you can book a ticket from AMTRAK to take the train from LA to Oceanside.
When is the best time to visit Oceanside?
Is there really a bad time?? 🙂 The weather is amazing year round! The winter can bring chills of around 50-60 degrees but it’s usually still sunny. Summer is a popular time to go but expect crowds. Personally I’d recommend Spring & Fall for the best weather without the crowds. Keep in mind during June & May, we have gloomy weather along the San Diego Coastline but it usually burns off in the afternoon.
Where to stay in Oceanside
Oceanside has several great accommodations to choose from. We stayed in The Brick Hotel, a boutique hotel built in 1888 as a hardware store. It’s one of the few historic buildings left in the area. It’s centrally located and even though it’s been renovated to fit modern design, you can still find original structures throughout the hotel from the 1880s era bricks lining the walls, to the wood luggage rack in the closet made from the original lumber that dates back over a century.
Things to do in Oceanside
Visit the Top Gun House
This iconic victorian cottage from the 1986 Blockbuster Top Gun is just a few steps from the Pier. Now, you can grab a sweet treat from the High Pie Shop and find Top Gun memorabilia throughout the home. The history of the Top Gun House dates all the way back to to the 1880’s and worth reading here.
Stroll the Pier
The Oceanside Pier is the perfect place for a scenic walk. Some of my favorite things to spot here are surfers, fishermen, and marine life.
Check out local museums
Some museums I would recommend visiting are the California Surf Museum and Oceanside Museum of Art. The California Surf Museum has a unique collection of Surf memorabilia like Bethany Hamilton’s shark bitten surfboard. The Oceanside Museum of Art is also a great place to check out & support local artists in Southern California.
Book a water activity
You can’t visit a coastal area without getting out on the water! Head over to Oceanside Harbor where you can rent kayaks, SUP, jet skis, or you can even go parasailing with Top Gun Parasailing. We did a 1hr kayak rental and paddled over to Sea Lion Island. It’s a very easy, family friendly activity.
Visit a U-Pick Farm
Just a short drive from downtown Oceanside is Mellano Farmstand. A family owned farm where you can find flowers, fresh produce, and barn animals. We visited in the spring so they had U-Pick strawberries and flowers. Check out their website to see what events are happening before your visit.
Watch the sunset from a Rooftop Bar
For the best views of Oceanside accompanied with a cocktail, check out the Rooftop Bar at the Mission Pacific Beach Resort. This is a popular spot so make sure you make a reservation ahead of time.
Grab Coffee & a succulent from Succulent Coffee
One of my favorite coffee shops in Oceanside is Succulent Coffee. It’s located in Brick Hotel and it’s been a local staple since 2013! Stop by for a latte and take some plants home.
Where to Eat in Oceanside
Dija Mara
We are very lucky to have an Indonesian restaurant like Dija Mara in San Diego county. It’s hard to find this cuisine anywhere in the country and they’ve really nailed these flavors. Some local favorites are the pork skewers, mei goreng, and nasi lemak.
Tanner’s Prime Burgers
A burger joint from a Michelin Star chef! Arguably the BEST burgers in San Diego. They’re known for their Smash Burgers with 100% USDA Prime beef and Tallow Fries. Imagine eating here after an active day on the water? I promise the line is worth it.
allmine
allmine is as artisenal as it gets with hand made pizza crusts and pastas. They make their core ingredients in house and have a selection of natural wines. It’s a must try in Oceanside.
Other Local Favorites:
- Valle
- Local Tap House
- Wrench & Rodent
- Toast Gastrobrunch
Hope this helps you plan an epic getaway to Oceanside! For more tips & guides to visiting this incredible city, check out https://visitoceanside.org/
For more things to do in San Diego, check out my San Diego local guide.