Information to Greatest Seashores in Oceanside, CA: The place to Go & What to Anticipate
Spanning almost 4 miles of lovely Pacific shoreline, Oceanside, CA, affords a diversified choice of seashores, every with its personal distinctive allure.
That can assist you discover the very best seaside to suit your vibe, I’ve created this record of the very best seashores in Oceanside. Organized from north to south, every seaside consists of an summary, issues to notice, and instructions and parking info.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for unimaginable surf or a sandy stretch for household enjoyable, Oceanside, CA, has the right seaside for you.
Oceanside Harbor Seashore
Why Go: Widest and sandiest of the Oceanside, CA seashores with premier surf.
Oceanside Harbor Seashore is a protracted, large, sandy seaside located in entrance of Oceanside Harbor and bordered by two rock jetties. The marina is situated behind the seaside, with open ocean entry on the seaside’s northernmost finish.
This seaside is without doubt one of the greatest seashores in Oceanside for lively folks and households. It consists of volleyball courts and a children’ play space. Kiteboarding, windsurfing, browsing, sunbathing, and fishing are in style actions at this seaside. It has lifeguards, coated picnic tables, barbecues, hearth pits, restrooms, and showers.
Noteworthy: Located adjoining to Oceanside Harbor Village, there are a number of close by facilities, together with quite a lot of outlets, eateries, and inns like Marina Inn Lodge.
Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are harbor favorites. You’ll be able to hire kayaks and different water gear right here, plus guide crusing or deep-sea fishing journeys.
The seaside has among the greatest surf, making it a giant draw for surfers and different watersport fanatics. You’ll usually see surf competitions right here throughout summer time.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take Harbor Drive exit off I-5, which can convey you proper to the harbor entrance. There are numerous parking lots on the harbor. Some are free, some free with time restrictions, and the remainder paid.
Even paid tons could have time restrictions. Watch the indicators fastidiously when selecting so much. Once you pull into the harbor, in the event you keep left, you’ll come to a tunnel below the railway bridge. The tunnel takes you to a big, free car parking zone with the least time restrictions (Lot 1). It’s additionally farthest from the seaside.
Breakwater Approach Seashore
Why Go: Quieter, family-friendly seaside additionally in style with surfers and volleyball gamers.
Breakwater Approach Seashore is situated north of Oceanside Pier and south of the San Luis Rey River mouth. Probably the greatest seashores in Oceanside for households, it’s a big stretch of sand lined with palm bushes.
There are lifeguards, restrooms, showers, barbecue grills, and picnic tables, making it a one-stop seaside for all your loved ones’s wants. Sunbathing, browsing, and volleyball are the primary attracts of Breakwater Approach seaside.
Nonetheless, in the summertime months, browsing is closed in entrance of Lifeguard Tower 8, so surfers should stroll alongside the jetty to get into the water.
Noteworthy: One of many least populated seashores, the river jetty is the place the San Luis Rey River and the Pacific Ocean meet. A sandbar usually kinds right here, creating an epic surf break. For security, keep away from swimming, wading, or taking part in within the water the place the river meets the ocean.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take the Coast Freeway exit west off I-5, flip left on Coast Freeway and go two blocks to Surfrider Approach, flip proper and go to North Pacific Road, flip proper and go three blocks to Breakwater Approach. There’s a pay lot on the nook of Breakwater Approach and North Pacific Road. Metered parking can be out there alongside North Pacific Road.
Pier View North Seashore
Why Go: A quiet, native favourite; sunbathing, swimming, and browsing.
Pier View North Seashore is located on the north aspect of Oceanside Pier with a wider, longer, and sandier stretch of seaside. That is the right seaside to loosen up with family and friends whereas having fun with actions like sunbathing, browsing, swimming, fishing, and volleyball.
There are two lifeguard towers at this seaside. In the course of the summer time, a specific space of this seaside, marked by flags, is closed to browsing however open to all different water actions.
Noteworthy: The Oceanside Seashore Group Middle is simply north of Pier View North Seashore. It’s near issues to do in Oceanside, just like the Oceanside Pier and the downtown space.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take the Mission Avenue exit off I-5 and go west to North Pacific Road. There may be one small pay car parking zone close to this seaside, but it surely fills up quick throughout the summer time. Further pay parking tons are on the nook of North Myers Road and Mission Avenue and east of North Pacific Road on Surfrider Approach. There may be additionally metered parking alongside North Pacific Road.
Oceanside Pier
Why go: Historic coronary heart of the Oceanside seaside group; backdrop for browsing competitions; dwell live shows and occasions at out of doors pier amphitheater; pier fishing.
You is perhaps questioning how Oceanside Pier made the record of greatest oceanside seashores. It’s a pier, in any case.
The reply is straightforward. It’s an iconic fixture that separates Pier View North from Pier View South seashores. It’s a historic landmark initially in-built 1888 and one of many longest wood piers (spanning 1,942 toes) on the California coast.
Close to the Junior Seau Oceanside Pier Plaza Amphitheater, you’re near the dwell performances and occasions which are usually scheduled there.
Noteworthy: A serious draw is, in fact, pier fishing which doesn’t require you to have a fishing license. With its expansive size, there’s ample house for everybody. There’s a bait store with rental gear on the pier.
If you happen to don’t fish, it’s all the time enjoyable watching the surfers and marine life play within the water. Seize a espresso or an ice cream and hit the pier to take pleasure in a leisurely stroll and unimaginable views. A Fifties diner on the finish of the pier has closed however might be changed. Adjoining to the outdated diner, a tiny, new seafood-inspired idea opens in Spring 2023.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take the Mission Avenue exit off I-5 and go west to North Pacific Road. You’ll see the pier to your proper. There are a number of parking choices surrounding the pier on each side. They embrace free parking tons, metered parking alongside streets, and free time-restricted spots and much.
To your comfort, the Metropolis of Oceanside Parking Map gives an entire overview of the parking choices close to the pier. Word the Oceanside Transit Middle affords free parking tons three blocks away.
Pier View South Seashore
Why Go: Greatest seaside within the coronary heart of the motion; entry to probably the most facilities and actions.
The preferred seaside in Oceanside, Pier View South Seashore is situated south of the historic Oceanside Pier in downtown Oceanside.
A large and sandy stretch, the seaside has lifeguards, barbecues, picnic tables, and firepits. Swimming, browsing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, sunbathing, and fishing are the commonest seaside actions.
This seaside additionally hosts browsing contests throughout the summer time, and the close by Junior Seau Oceanside Pier Amphitheater hosts varied cultural and musical occasions all year long. You’ll discover meals and gear rental distributors right here too.
Noteworthy: The home from the film Prime Gun is immediately throughout the road from Pier View South. Now a retro pie store, The Excessive Pie homes memorabilia from the film. Pier View South Seashore blends seamlessly into Tyson Road Seashore and Park, additionally an Oceanside favourite. Visitors of The Seabird Resort and Mission Pacific Lodge additionally stroll throughout the road to this seaside.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take the Mission Avenue exit off I-5 and go west to North Pacific Road. There are two pay parking tons located north and south of the pier.
If these tons are full, there’s one other pay car parking zone on Myers Road and Mission Avenue, only one block east of South Pacific Road. Metered parking will also be discovered on South Pacific Road. The Oceanside Transit Middle affords free parking three blocks away.
Tyson Road Seashore and Park
Why Go: Folks watching; being within the heart of the motion; a grassy park with playground.
Tyson Road Seashore and Park is without doubt one of the hottest Oceanside seashores south of Oceanside Pier. The park and seaside are located on both aspect of The Strand, the place vehicles crawl by for a take a look at beachgoers and the ocean past.
Tyson Road Park, immediately behind the seaside, has a youngsters’s playground and loos on a big grassy space. Throughout summer time, there’s a pleasant mixture of younger adults and households blanketing the grassy space and the sandy seaside in entrance of it. The park is a well-liked place to picnic.
Noteworthy: Dramatic stairs lead from South Pacific Road to Tyson Road Park under, with a pedestrian crossing to the seaside.
The Aqua Café is a traditional seaside shack-style café tucked behind the park with a menu of tasty, nutritious, and natural eats – dine in, or take out. The café additionally has native music on Sunday afternoons.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take the Mission Avenue exit off I-5 and go west towards the ocean, flip left on South Pacific Road. The park and seaside are about one-half mile up in your proper.
Parking on South Pacific Road is metered, and there’s a paid lot at Mission Avenue and Meyers Road. About three blocks behind Tyson Park is the Oceanside Transit Middle car parking zone with free parking and a charging station. There are three handicapped parking areas in Tyson Park, accessed off First Road and S. The Strand.
Wisconsin Road Seashore
Why Go: A paid car parking zone proper throughout from the seaside; an entry level to the Pier and Pier seashores; summertime low-tide jog or stroll.
Wisconsin Road Seashore is oddly named, as its location is on the nook of South Pacific Road and Wisconsin Avenue, not avenue.
Over time, the seaside has gotten more and more slender as a result of erosion. Now, even at low tide, the seaside is little greater than a slender strip of moist, hard-packed sand.
Giant boulders line the seaside shoreside and separate it from The Strand and beachfront properties behind it. It’s a “again door” to the extra in style seashores on both aspect of Oceanside Pier.
It’s additionally a gathering spot at sundown when people and {couples} line the boulders to look at the solar’s spectacular descent into the Pacific Ocean. The seaside is open to all actions and is lifeguard-protected (Tower 7). No canine.
Noteworthy: There are restrooms/showers and picnic tables on one aspect of the Wisconsin Road car parking zone. Regardless that seaside visitors alongside The Strand is one-way coming towards you, relaxation assured you may flip into the car parking zone from Wisconsin Avenue. Stairs result in South Pacific Road.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take I-5 to Oceanside Boulevard, exit west towards the seashores, flip proper on South Pacific Road to Wisconsin Avenue, flip left, and go down the block-long hill.
A car parking zone is on the best with a U-shaped drive-through. The seaside is throughout the road. Paid lot. Road parking is metered or time-restricted north of Wisconsin alongside South Pacific Road. Parking is free alongside South Pacific Road south of Wisconsin however can also be time-restricted. Examine the indicators.
Oceanside Boulevard Seashore
Why Go: A straightforward entry level for a low-tide seaside stroll; a quiet place to perch atop a giant boulder at sundown
This small seaside on the finish of Oceanside Boulevard is barely greater than Buccaneer Seashore, the smallest of the Oceanside seashores. You’ll discover a sandy space about 200 toes large that’s lifeguard protected throughout summer time (Tower 9). It’s an excellent start line for a stroll alongside the Pacific Ocean.
Like many smaller Oceanside seashores, excessive tides usually go away the seaside with hardpacked, damp sand. However you’ll nonetheless discover a number of solar worshipers getting their tans on right here.
Noteworthy: Oceanside Boulevard Seashore is a serene place to take a seat atop the boulders that line the shoreline for a West Coast sundown. Don’t be shocked to see some boulders already occupied with cairns – stacks of stones. This seaside is reserved for swimming, wading, and bodyboarding solely. There are not any loos at this seaside, however there’s an out of doors bathe to rinse sandy toes. No canine allowed.
Parking and methods to get right here: Take Oceanside Boulevard from I-5 to South Pacific Road and park there or alongside different close by streets. No parking charges.
Buccaneer Seashore
Why Go: A tiny, family-friendly seaside with the whole lot you want shut by.
Nestled between oceanfront properties and condos on both aspect, Buccaneer Seashore is the smallest of the lifeguard-protected Oceanside, CA, seashores (Tower 11).
The family-friendly seaside has all of it — handy lot parking, a grassy park with a youngsters’s playground, a small café, and public loos, all situated immediately throughout South Pacific Road. There’s even a marked pedestrian crossing between the facilities and the seaside.
Noteworthy: Buccaneer Park, throughout South Pacific Road from the seaside, has a youngsters’s playground, a big grassy space, basketball courts, charcoal grills, picnic tables, loos, and showers.
You’ll discover Buccaneer Café right here as properly, the place you will get breakfast, lunch, or snacks day by day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Subsequent to the park is a footpath operating alongside Loma Alta Creek for a enjoyable nature stroll or birdwatching alternative.
Canines should not allowed on this seaside. Browsing is obtainable on both aspect of the seaside space however not in entrance of the seaside, the place it’s solely swimming, wading, and physique boarding.
Parking and methods to get right here: To get right here, take I-5 north to Vista Approach exit, go west towards the seaside to Coast Freeway (101), flip proper and go to Cassidy Road, the place you’ll go left to South Pacific Road, flip proper, and go a half mile. The seaside is on the left, parking is on the best behind Buccaneer Café. No parking charges.
Cassidy Road Seashore
Why Go: A neighborhood favourite for a second of Zen; entry level for an energizing seaside stroll.
You’ll need to watch the tide tables for this seaside, because it’s fully absorbed at excessive tide. The seaside is lengthy and slender and lined with massive boulders shoreside to create an erosion barrier for coastal properties.
This doesn’t go away room for far more than a low-tide seaside stroll. However once more, time it fastidiously.
Though lifeguard tower 15 is situated on the seaside right here, there’s seldom a lifeguard current. There are not any loos right here, both. For these causes, there could also be higher seashores for households with children.
Noteworthy: On the finish of Cassidy Road, you’ll see a strong wood staircase that takes you right down to the seaside. Don’t be shocked to search out somebody meditating on a bench on the high of the steps or to see a non-public marriage ceremony ceremony on the seaside under. Generally folks will take their lunch break up high, having fun with the sounds of waves crashing on rocks.
Parking and methods to get right here: Cassidy Road Seashore is the southernmost public entry seaside in Oceanside. To get right here, take I-5 north to Vista Approach exit, go west towards the seaside to Coast Freeway (101), flip proper and go to Cassidy Road, the place you’ll flip left and go straight to the useless finish.
There’s restricted parking on the Cassidy Road dead-end. Extra parking is obtainable alongside South Pacific Road. No parking charges.
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