Looking for a charming seaside getaway not too far from Los Angeles? Look no more. Oceanside is one of many charming coastal communities of Southern California. About 1.5 hours south of Los Angeles, it’s hard to believe that this quaint city is currently celebrating 125 years.
Oceanside’s been a bit under the radar compared to some of its neighboring communities, but that’s changing. Although it still reflects a laid-back sleepy surfer vibe, Oceanside is blossoming into a coveted beachside community, reflecting the tastes of what most travelers expect when visiting a beautiful coastal town. It was an exciting discovery for us.
We stayed at the breezy Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort, adjacent to one of the longest wooden piers in Southern California. It was a perfect location, with many attractions easily within walking distance from the hotel. From our two-bedroom suite, we enjoyed panoramic views of the Pacific, as the weather was a balmy 78, with not a cloud in sight. Overhead, pelicans did their aerial patterns, while the waving palm trees below cheered them on.
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I’m picky about pillows, and the Wyndham had some of the loveliest pillows I’ve enjoyed, enabling me to sleep-in well past my usual rooster hour. I loved the cool coastal colors inside the resort, which added to the relaxed vibe of the property.
If you’re looking to purchase in Oceanside, you can investigate the timeshare component of the Wyndham. Beachfront property is escalating in price in Oceanside, and from the pier nearby, you can see a plethora of nicely appointed condos within walking distance. This place is catching on, and catching on fast.
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Adjacent to the Wyndham on the other side of the pier, you can see business booming nearby, with a monumental mixed-use project underway. I imagine within a few years, this area will be bustling with many more fine restaurants, and even more things to do.
Still alive is the prominent surfer vibe that is reflected in the personality of this town. Many of the local restaurants pay homage to the sea, with some sporting long and short surfboards on the walls and ceilings, and a smattering of surfer history for those who are interested.
One of these places is the ever-popular The Privateer, reflecting the growing local beer and cuisine scene, which combines a bit of the old and new of Oceanside. Sitting down with co-owner Charlie Anderson, I’m faced with an astute businessman whose publishing background with a few surf titles makes him somewhat of a local celebrity. His boyish looks, sun-bleached locks and easy smile make you feel at home, but listening to him, you know he knows Oceanside, and he knows food.
The Privateer serves the only “coal fired” pizza in Southern California. In fact, this oven dominates the kitchen, and is the focal point of the restaurant. The menu utilizes many innovative ingredients like pesto, Brussels sprouts, and artichoke hearts on their pizzas, but there are many other dishes from which to choose. It’s a foodie’s paradise without an attitude. No wonder it’s crowded.
Another local favorite is the Beach Break Café, voted the #1 restaurant in Oceanside, according to Trip Advisor. Portions at this place are huge, healthy and reasonable. I loved their fish tacos, dense with chunks of marinated mahi-mahi. Save room for their famous coffee cake, which owner Zell Dwelley insisted we try. We demolished it in minutes. I rarely eat dessert at lunch, but I had to make an exception with this one. It was definitely a mortal sin, and I vowed to go to confession afterwards.
If it’s art you’re after, a stop to the Oceanside Museum of Art is in order, giving you a sampling of photography, sculpture, and a wide variety of other disciplines. We did some damage in their gift shop, purchasing several pieces designed by local artists.
And of course, there’s the California Surf Museum. Ask for Sam when you go, and he’ll gladly tell you more about the history of surfing, show you a sampling of some old and new boards, and tell you about Oceanside’s famous “soul surfer” Bethany Hamilton, who overcame tremendous odds to get back in the water after being attacked by a shark.
What’s a trip to the coast without some water activities? Surfers punctuated the waters next to the pier where the waves proved challenging, but for those less ambitious, head to the harbor, where you can rent boats, kayaks, wave runners, and other types of watercraft. We opted for a relaxing self-guided harbor cruise on one of their cute electric boats through Boat Rentals of America. After a busy morning, it was nice to kick back and enjoy the views of the sea lions, pelicans, cormorants and other shorebirds.
The oldest mission in Southern California is only about fifteen minutes inland. Mission San Luis Rey was founded in 1798. This place definitely takes you back in history, and while we were there, we even saw friars on the premises giving tourists a snapshot of the mission’s past.
Oceanside is one of those cities to watch. Like Ventura, Oxnard, and Pismo Beach, this seaside community is on the rise. It’s only a matter of time before it catches up to some of its popular neighboring coastal communities. Until then, kick back, catch a wave and enjoy the slower pace of this charming seaside town.
For more information:
http://beachbreakcafe.menutoeat.com/
http://boats4rent.com/oceanside/
