Oceanside, CA is a great place to spend a weekend, a two-week vacation, or a lifetime. It offers a great coastal location, broad sandy beaches, relatively affordable homes, condos and townhomes, and lots of activities for all ages.
First-time visitors to Oceanside marvel at the downtown building and activity. High rise condominiums, such as the newly-constructed Oceanside Terraces, are reshaping the skyline, while the historic Oceanside Pier continues to draw fishermen, sightseers or those out for a lengthy stroll.
For those seeking museums and missions, Oceanside has much to offer. The California Surf Museum at 223 North Coast Highway is a surfer's mecca. Not only do they have displays showing the evolution of surfing, they also have a large display of surfboards, ranging from single-fin woodies to contemporary four-finned and lightweight fiberglass models.
If one is interested in the visual arts, there is the Oceanside Museum of Art, located at 704 Pier View Way. In addition to their eye-opening and provocative art displays, the museum also hosts the OMA School of Art, offering instruction in a variety of media, including painting, pottery and ceramic sculpture, along with drawing and drumming. The Oceanside Museum is housed in the classic Irving Gill designed building that preserves the 1930's flavor of Southern California.
Oceanside's Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is California's King of Missions. Founded in 1798 and located just four miles east of downtown Oceanside, this early and largest California mission is still a hub of Catholic Church activities and events. Visitors are kindly invited to stroll through the Mission Church and the surrounding gardens and grounds.
The Oceanside Farmer's Market is always a treat. It is held each Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Pier View Way between Coast Highway and Ditmar Street. Here locals and visitors can find just-picked and local fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, fragrant and steaming hot tamales, bouquets of local flowers, and other dining surprises. Bring an appetite!
Restaurants are plentiful in downtown Oceanside, and range from seafood spots by the Oceanside Harbor, to Cuban, Japanese, Mexican, French and California Nouveau cuisine. For a taste of history (not yesterday's fare
), you might want to stop for a cup of coffee or more at the 101 Cafe, located at 631 S. Coast Highway. This roadside cafe has been around since 1928 and offers visitors glimpses of what life was once like in this scenic California beach town.
Real estate opportunities and beach area real estate is plentiful in the downtown area of Oceanside, The North Coast Village, which borders the Oceanside Harbor, is Oceanside's largest condominium development on the sand.
Fortunate owners and guests at North Coast Village enjoy beautiful tropical gardens, many waterfalls, pools, spas, guarded and gated security, underground parking and an incomparable presence on Oceanside's wide and sandy beach.
Oceanside home buyers will also find row homes, high rise, lofts and single family detached homes in and near downtown Oceanside. At the far south end of town is the ultra-exclusive Saint Malo Village, with its guarded gate, private beach area and a lovely collection of period Tudor homes.
Oceanside? It's a town worth exploring and enjoying!
Also explore:
Oceanside Real Estate and Homes
Luxury Homes and Real Estate