Beaches

Over 3.5 miles of sunbaked, white sandy beaches with clean waters make Oceanside the ideal place for sunbathing, swimming, catching a wave or just watching the world go by. Kick off your shoes and stroll along the edge of ocean. Renown for excellent surf fishing, Oceanside offers lots of possibilities for the angler. With ample parking and lots of shoreline to plant your beach umbrella, Oceanside offers one of the finest coastal recreation areas on the west coast.

Mission San Luis Rey

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, named in honor of St. Louis, King of France, is located in a secluded valley four miles east of Highway 5 in Oceanside. Founded in June 1798 by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, the Mission is one of the most architecturally impressive of all the California missions. Built of adobe and faced with brick, it is a composite of Spanish, Mexican, and Moorish styles. For over thirty years the mission prospered under the direction of Father Antonio Peyri. By 1801, over 300 Indians had been enrolled in the mission, making it one of the most populous in California. After secularization in the 1830's, the mission grounds were used for bullfights and later, as a military post by U.S. troops. In 1893, the mission was rededicated as a Franciscan seminary. Today, the "King of Missions" includes a picnic area, museum and gift shop. The newly developed San Luis Rey Valley Conference Center & Garden's, located at the Mission, is equipped to accommodate conventions, conferences, banquets, as well as weddings, it covers 17,500 square feet of space with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment - a perfect meeting place!

Oceanside Harbor

The Harbor Village, lighthouse and many eateteries at the harbor draws hundreds of locals and visitors each day. Choose from the Chart House, Harbor Fish & Chips, Harbor Deli, Robin’s Nest Sweet Shoppe, Harbor Pizza and others. Gourmet coffee is available at Nautical Bean or Harbor Deli. No matter where you decide to eat, you’ll be surrounded by the peaceful ambiance of our beautiful harbor. There are 50 transient slips for guest boaters, which are busy year-round and the harbour caters for boats up to 50ft.

Harbor Days is a scheduled annual event held the 3rd weekend in September.

Oceanside Pier

The historic Oceanside Pier, 1,942 feet in length, is one of the longest wooden construction recreational piers on the West Coast. High above the ocean, viewers see far down the long sandy beaches to the south and north into the entrance channel of Oceanside Harbor, a large recreational marina that borders the neorthen extremes of the city. The pier is a well-trodden landmark of Oceanside as is Ruby's, the popular '50s diner-themed restaurant dominating the end of the pier. It's a place were visitors and locals alike can stroll, take in the sunset and check out the surfing action close-up as riders pull into waves rolling in from the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean. A bait and fishing tackle shop can be found midway down the pier where halibut, bass , bonito and other fish are regualrly caught. No license is needed to fish from the pier.

Other Recreational Activities

Oceanside's recreational opportunities are geared to fit every lifestyle. There are three golf courses in the area. Four Seasons Resort Aviara Golf Club offers one of the finest golf facilities available in southern California. Aviara's memorable 18-hole coastal layout was designed by Arnold Palmer. The city also boasts numerous tennis courts and over 6 miles of beachfront roadway just perfect for jogging, biking or rollerblading. The 260 slip harbor has a convenient boat launch area and offers services for boat, kayak and jetski rentals. You can book sportfishing charters going out of the harbor, and join in whale watching tours from December through March.

Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base

The world's largest U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Training Base is located in North Oceanside. It is considered a "recreational" paradise with its military community of over 36,000 spread over 125,000 acres. The camp is well recognized for its interest and effort toward ecology and the preservation of natural resources. With its three mountain ranges and varied geographical terrain, Camp Pendleton has earned its title as an "Ecological Oasis of Coastal California." Home of the First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton is situated on what was once a Spanish land grant called Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores. The area's natural beauty has been changed as little as possible, making Camp Pendleton a modern military base in the heart of a little piece of history.