Oceanside

Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, southern CaliforniaOceanside Pier

Where is Oceanside?

Oceanside is about 90 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, so if flying into LA you could be in Oceanside in 90 minutes. It's also about 40 miles north of San Diego, less than a 40-minute drive if you take I-5, though we prefer the slower oceanfront road through places like Del Mar and Carlsbad.

Jet skiers near Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, southern CaliforniaJet Skiers near Oceanside Pier

When to Visit Oceanside?

Oceanside has an ideal climate so you can visit any time of the year. You're more likely to see some rain in the winter months, but from April to October there's less than an inch of rain each month.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

There can be days in winter when it will fall below freezing at night, but they're few and far between. The average daytime temperature is in the 50s in winter and the upper 60s in summer, but it's likely to be warmer than that. Even in January they've experienced a record high temperature of 92 degrees!

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, OceansideMission San Luis Rey de Francia

Oceanside History

Oceanside was first settled by Native American peoples, partly because of its location on the San Luis Rey River. These days there's an enjoyable hiking and biking trail alongside the river.

The first Spanish missionaries arrived in 1769 and founded the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. This is about five miles inland from the Pacific Coast Highway, and well worth making the detour to see. The church on the site today was built in 1815 and is a beautiful building and a National Historic Landmark.

Oceanside slowly developed as an agricultural community, thanks to the supply of fresh water from the river. The town grew from that, aided by tourism in the 20th century and today it has a population of about 175,000.

What to See and Do in Oceanside

In addition to the river trail and the mission, here are some of the other things to see and do in Oceanside.

Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center

Common KingfisherCommon Kingfisher

Right by the Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve, as you head south towards Carlsbad, is this nature center. It shows you what you're missing if you speed north on I-5, which goes right by the eastern end of the 220-acre lagoon. There are viewing platforms, exhibitions, and a nature trail which has a neat interpretive map for your cell phone that tells you what you're seeing as you walk round.

The reserve is particularly known for its birds, including turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, hawks, owls, herons, and kingfishers.

California Surf Museum

The California Surf Museum in Oceanside, southern CaliforniaThe California Surf Museum

The California Surf Museum has displays on surfing life and culture that should appeal to both surfers and non-surfers, and are also a good family attraction. There's naturally a huge collection of surfboards, including one that a shark has taken a bite out of. As well as surfing memorabilia and music, there are changing exhibitions too.

Golfing in Oceanside

The Arrowood Golf Course in OceansideThe Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside

Oceanside is home to Goat Hill Park, which was the first golf course in San Diego County, and the sport has continued to grow ever since. No matter what your ability, you'll find a course to suit you. Some of them offer ocean views, too. You can find a list of courses on the Visit Oceanside website's golf page.

Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor is no regular harbor. For a start it has three different areas, including stretches of beach. It's used by surfers and paddleboarders, and is where you can book whale watching cruises or deep-sea fishing trips. There are plenty of shops and eating places around there too.

Oceanside Museum of Art

The Oceanside Museum of Art in Oceanside, southern CaliforniaThe Oceanside Museum of Art

Not far from the California Surf Museum, a few blocks back from the pier, is the Oceanside Museum of Art. The museum opened in 1997 and is spread across two buildings, with the collection featuring contemporary artists of southern California.

Oceanside Pier

Surfers in Front of Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, southern CaliforniaSurfers in Front of Oceanside Pier

Oceanside Pier was built in 1888 and is 1,942 feet long. If you visit Oceanside you just have to walk to the end for the views, and there's also the chance that you might see whales. The pier is a popular spot for fishing and for surfing, as the waves crash in either side of the pier. It's a good vantage point if you want to watch the surfers. There's also an amphitheater adjacent to the pier that's used for holding events.

The Amphitheater near Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, southern CaliforniaThe Amphitheater near Oceanside Pier

Whale Watching

Blue WhaleBlue Whale

As with other places like Dana Point and San Diego, Oceanside is a good place for whale watching. You can sometimes see whales and dolphins from the pier, and if you want to go out on a boat head to the harbor where there are plenty of tour boats to choose from.

Oceanside Events

Oceanside hosts many major events throughout the year so if you're planning to stay overnight you should book your accommodation well ahead in case your visit coincides with one of these big events, which normally attract huge crowds.

January sees the Surf Cup and the Scholastic Surf Series. There are other surfing events throughout the year. In February there's an International Film Festival.

Oceanside's Beach Soccer ChampionshipsOceanside's Beach Soccer Championships

In late May Oceanside hosts the Beach Soccer Championships.

In mid-June Oceanside acts as the starting point for the annual 3,000-mile Race Across America bicycle race, regarded as one of the toughest sporting challenges in the world. June also brings the USA Surfing Championships.

The Club Wyndham Oceanside Beach ResortThe Club Wyndham Oceanside Beach Resort

Oceanside Hotels

More Information

Go to the official website at Visit Oceanside.

More California coast pages

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

    Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

    Mendocino

    Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

    San Clemente California

    San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

    Crescent City

    Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

    Best Beaches in California

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

    Newport Beach

    Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

    Free Things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway

    There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

    Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Highway 1 to Big Sur reopens after storm — but expect some delays

    Feb 22, 26 02:17 PM

    After four days of closures, Highway 1 is set to reopen with limited traffic control — but drivers should be aware of multiple sticking points.

    Read More

  2. Third Storm Moves In Thursday With Topanga Closures, High Surf, and Flood Risk

    Feb 20, 26 10:30 AM

    LOS ANGELES - The County is heading into a third storm in four days — a fast-moving system expected to sweep through Thursday morning, bringing another round of rain, mountain snow, and damaging wind…

    Read More

  3. Highway 1 closure in Big Sur forces drivers to turn around as crews clear storm debris

    Feb 20, 26 10:30 AM

    Cleanup crews are working around the clock along California’s scenic Big Sur coastline after recent storms forced the closure of portions of Highway 1.

    Read More