Oceanside Beach, Oceanside

Although a little crowded, it was still nice. There are playgrounds for kids, bathrooms, and the pier is just above. Lots of places to park if you don't mind walking a bit. So glad to see that there are fire pits provided. Can't wait to go again next year.

Parking was relatively easy, and there is a free lot just off of main strip (public transit parking). That said, there are way too many people on the beach for my taste. Night time walks were peaceful and the pier gives a nice view. The days were filled with many kids and trash was left throughout the sand, taking away the joy of walking barefoot through it. We purposely avoided the time of the sand castle building contest and the surfing competitions and still this place was crowded. Hotel rental was considerably cheaper than other beaches near San Diego.

Oceanside Beach is a quintessential Southern CA beach experience. Conveniently located between San Diego and Orange County off the Interstate 5, miles of sandy beach are ideal for sun worshipping and surfing. A long pier welcomes strollers and anglers, and Downtown Oceanside sprouts from the Pier, offering dining for even the budget conscious. Compared to the luxury minded beach resorts of Newport Beach, Carlsbad, Solana Beach or Encinitas, or urbane La Jolla, Oceanside has a more gritty, low to mid scale, almost nostalgic feel about it. Think of a beach town before the upscale condos and luxury resorts and $$$ restaurants, and you'll see what I mean. Recent contruction may signal a new, more upscale future however. This means that the Dairy Queen may soon be joined by a sushi bar as well as a branch of the highly regarded Cohn group of restaurants. More to follow. Also a plus? Oceanside is easy to get to. The transit center, walking distance to the sand, hosts regular service from Amtrak, Metrolink, Coaster and Sprinter rail services, as well as being an NCTD bus hub.

The water is beautiful here! Clean and clear with lots of sand to spread out on! I liked being at the south end of the beach where access is easy, no stairs to haul beach gear up and down. Bicycling up and down South Pacific Street is fun, stop in downtown Oceanside by the pier for a bite to eat or to shop a bit. The movie theater is great, it's big and has a food kiosk all around it. On Thursday nights there is a marketplace set up just a block in from the pier with lots going on and music playing...a very fun, festive atmosphere. The surfing in Oceanside is best at Wisconsin, Forster or Oceanside Blvd!

I loved the Oceanside beach, quiet, little conjestion like the bigger beaches in the San Diego area. Try Ruby's Cafe on the pier, they have great food at a reasonalbe price.

I live about 45 minutes from oceanside and it is the beach that I usually visit. Most people think of it as a place thats nice and sunny, but thats not really what its like.

You can hang out on one side with the crowd, or you can cross over to the other side of the pier and have a secluded spot. The beach is pretty long, a mile maybe. Pretty clean. There are restrooms to use, and enough wash down points. The waves are great near the pier, better on the south side. Not very touristy, mostly locals who are used to seeing different people there. There is a very nice children's play area there as well, with pavilions, grills, and fire pits.