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

 

10 Comments on Downtown Oceanside, CA

JUN
23
2007
100,090 Points 20 Featured Posts
Oceanside sure has changed over the years ... always loved the 101 Cafe..
6:31pm • #1
134,435 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Kaye: I can't believe the changes in downtown Oceanside in just the last five years. It is a developer's boomtown.
7:16pm • #2
JUN
24
2007
150,501 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Shhhhh---wantd to keep this little jewel a secret!  Oceanside is a wonderful town.  So glad you wrote this great article on it.
12:21am • #3
845,154 Points 213 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

You are so right.  California is a great place to spend a vacation.  I spent a week touring from LA to SF one year and fell in love with the place.  The ocean side drive is something I'll never forget. 

 

7:36am • #4
134,435 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Marlene:  The development, redevelopment and changes taking place in downtown Oceanside are very exciting. It also has some of the best beaches in San Diego County.

Lenn: I would love to spend a full week making the same drive. Heck, I could spend a month exploring the territory between Los Angeles and San Francisco!

11:19am • #5
JUN
25
2007
538,239 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Sounds like a fun place to be. Maybe I'll take an extra day on my next trip to California.....
11:30pm • #6
JUN
26
2007
259,829 Points 102 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Roberta:

I hope you don't mind me adding my friends sportfishing business:

Sea Star Sport Fishing in the Oceanside Harbor- Capt. Joseph Cacciola 

1:41am • #8
JUN
29
2007
1 Featured Post
Roberta, I will be spending a week at North Coast Village (starting tomorrow) and can not wait to escape the heat of Phoenix, AZ!!!    Also, I have been told about a little pizza place within walking distance of North Coast Village that has great pizza, apparently not much to the inside of the place, however, I have been told that the pizza is quite yummy.  Sound familiar???  Also, what is going on for the Fourth of July???
7:25am • #9
134,435 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Brian: Not at all! In fact, remind me to add him and his site to our new Oceanside page.

Karen: If you stroll over to the harbor area, you will find all kinds of foods, including pizza. That would be the closest place to go and the view is terrific!  The 4th of July in Oceanside is out of this world. Count yourself fortunate to have easy beach access and covered parking at North Coast Village. Don't plan on driving that day. Shop ahead of time and enjoy your surroundings.

At nightfall, the fireworks display is magnificent. Bring a blanket, sit on the sand and enjoy the show.

 

5:22pm • #10

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Roberta Murphy - Carlsbad Real Estate North County San Diego Realtor

San Diego, CA

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