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Oceanside California Vacation Guide

Where to Stay And Things To See In Oceanside

If you've never been to Oceanside California before, your first stop might as well be at the California Welcome Center, where you can pick up plenty of information about visiting this area and California in general. It's right off the Interstate 5 freeway. Take exit 54B and head towards the Coast Highway, merge onto the San Luis Rey Mission Expressway and turn a quick right onto Coast Highway.

Camp Pendleton is the well known military base and marine corps training center located in Oceanside. But besides that, the town has about 3 miles of nice, sandy beaches.





Oceanside Beaches

Oceanside beach Harbor Beach, Breakwater Way, Pier View North, Pier View South, Tyson Street Beach, and Wisconsin Street Beach are some of the beaches in Oceanside. To find out more about the local beach choices, see our Oceanside Beach Guide.


Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor At the harbor, you'll find yachts, boats, restaurants on the water and shops to browse. A 4 lane boat ramp allows you to bring your own watercraft. You can also rent kayaks if you like. The harbor makes a good stop for sailors on their way between San Diego and Newport Beach.




Where To Stay

Click here for special deals in Oceanside


Oceanside Hotels If you want to be closer to the beach, see our Oceanside hotels by the beach page.

If you don't mind (or prefer) being further inland, see these hotels in Oceanside. For fans of Best Western, check out the Best Western Oceanside Inn.

For longer stays, see Oceanside Vacation Rentals.

Or sleep in your own RV at the Oceanside RV park.


Oceanside Restaurants

While there are many, many more restaurants in Oceanside, if you're on vacation, you'll probably want to visit one of the restaurants at the harbor near the water. They vary from seafood fine dining to a traditional fish & chips joint.

  • Rockin' Baja Oceanside Harbor
  • Lighthouse Oyster Bar & Grill
  • Tony's Sports Bar & Grill
  • Dominics
  • Robin's Nest Cafe
  • Joe's Crab Shack
  • Harbor Fish and Chips
  • Monterey Bay Canner Restaurant and Oyster Bar
  • Jolly Roger



The Oceanside Pier

The Oceanside Pier sits at the end of North Meyers Street, a block from Mission Avenue In Oceanside. There is fishing on the pier, fish cleaning facilities, and restrooms. At the end of the pier is Ruby's Diner, a popular fifties style diner.


The California Surf Museum

For all those into surfing, the California Surf Museum at 223 N. Coast Highway features exhibits about the evolution of the surfboard and the sport itself.


More Things To Do

At the south end of town, just before Carlsbad is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve called Buena Vista Lagoon.

Buena Vista Lagoon Oceanside California

Buena Vista Lagoon Oceanside

For art lovers, there's the Oceanside Museum of Art downtown near the train station.

Mission San Luis Rey Oceanside California

Mission San Luis Rey Oceanside

California history buffs will appreciate visiting the largest of all the state's missions: Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, founded in 1798. They offer self guided tours and are located about four miles inland from the freeway. Behind the mission is the Heritage Park Village and Museum, which is an 1800's era village on display.


Statues at Mission San Luis Rey Oceanside

Old Ruins at Mission San Luis Rey Oceanside



Getting There By Train

The beach community of Oceanside California is eighty four miles south of Los Angeles and at the north end of San Diego County. Take Mission Ave. exit off of the I-5.

To get to Oceanside California by train, you can take Amtrak from San Diego or Los Angeles. In addition, Metrolink runs north to L.A. or northeastward to the Inland Empire. The Coaster is another option down to San Diego or any of the North County beach towns.


View Southern California Beaches in a larger map

Map of Oceanside

To get to Oceanside California via the rails, you can take Amtrak from San Diego or Los Angeles. In addition, Metrolink runs north to L.A. or northeastward to the Inland Empire. The Coaster is another option down to San Diego or any of the North County beach towns.

Back from the Oceanside California page to the Southern California Beaches Vacation Guide home page.



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