Fun Things to Do in Oceanside CA with (and Without) Kids

Centrally located in the heart of Southern California, Oceanside (or O’side, as locals call it) is a casual beach town in San Diego County. Located 38 miles north of downtown San Diego, and 82 miles from Los Angeles, Oceanside has a lot to offer families. Enjoy sandy beaches and Oceanside adventures like whale watching tours, boating, water sports and NBA level basketball. Stroll along the historic wooden pier and enjoy eateries, shops and farmers markets in downtown Oceanside. Explore interactive surf museums and visit LEGOLAND and the San Diego Zoo.

Whether you’re arriving via plane, train or vehicle, (I recommend train) your first stop should be at the California Welcome Center – Oceanside at 928 North Coast Highway.  Pick up travel guides and buy discount tickets to popular attractions.

Soak up Sun and Fun at Oceanside Beaches

Oceanside has over 3.5 miles of sandy beaches. These include Harbor Beach, Breakwater Way, Pier View North and South and Tyson Street Beach. A few more include Wisconsin Street Beach, Oceanside Boulevard and Buccaneer Beach. Many beaches have playgrounds. In addition, some have beach campfire rings. These add to family fun in the evening.

While at the beach, be sure to take a stroll along the 1,942 foot long Oceanside Pier. It’s one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast. From the pier, you can fish and watch surfers.

Take a Whale Watching Cruise in Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor is tucked away from the unsuspecting individual. It’s also the only harbor between Orange County and San Diego. Upon arrival, you’ll discover rows of docked sailboats and people enjoying watersports. Not surprisingly, the harbor is primarily known for its water activities. These include deep-sea fishing, whale watching cruises and boat rentals.

In fact, Oceanside is a great spot for whale watching. Located in front of the lighthouse, Oceanside Adventures Luxury Cruises offers year-round whale watching excursions. You’ll cruise on a state-of-the-art, 50-foot catamaran for a thrilling, two-hour sailing adventure. The local waters flourish with sea life including whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. So that you don’t miss a thing, a certified naturalist is along for the journey.

At Oceanside Harbor Boat Rentals, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, electric boats, sailboats, power boats and fishing boats.

Spend a Day at Harbor Village

The local gem of North County, Harbor Village is located at the Oceanside Harbor. The quaint New England-style destination is host to a variety of restaurants and retail shops along the boardwalk. Just steps from the village are local vendors providing whale watching, boat rental and SUP experiences.

The adjacent Harbor Beach is a long, sandy beach with lifeguards. Shaded picnic areas include tables and barbecue grills; restrooms are available throughout. There is also a playground at Harbor Beach.

Explore Downtown Oceanside

The once funky downtown is turning over, with more upscale shops and hip restaurants opening. I explored this on the ground on a Downtown Historical Walk with John Daley Oceanside Historical Society. I also caught the view from behind the wheel of a bicycle with a rental from Alan’s Bike Shop, and from above, with a Waverider Helicopter Tour.

The helicopter tour was my favorite way to tour Oceanside’s gorgeous coastline so I included the video in the article. However, it’s all skydiving now – no more helicopter rides.

Buy Local Goods at Sunset Market

If you’re in town on a Thursday evening, check out the Sunset Market in downtown Oceanside. Featuring about 200 vendors spanning four blocks, the weekly market has food, gourmet goodies, desserts, shopping and entertainment from 5 – 9 p.m. This free family event also features Dorothy’s KidZone with children’s activities.

Visit Oceanside Museums

The beautifully curated California Surf Museum showcases surfing memorabilia. It even includes newer riffs on the sport, like skateboarding and body surfing. The kid-friendly museum has posters and surfboards, including the surfboard with a shark bite mark ridden by Bethany Hamilton, the champion surfer who lost her arm to a shark. (Anyone remember Soul Surfer?). The new exhibit, “Stars, Cars & Guitars,” dives into how surfing became a huge part of pop culture between 1958 and 1965. It’s packed with classic surfboards, vintage fashion, iconic album covers, legendary photos, and all kinds of cool memorabilia from the era when surf culture took off.

Sculptures, paintings and drawings from the region, and contemporary art are on display at the Oceanside Museum of Art. The museum’s Free Family Art Days are popular with families. You can participate in hands-on art activities that reflect concepts and themes from the exhibits.

Learn about Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Experience the beauty and tranquility of the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, which is the largest mission in California. Notice the extraordinary architecture, have a picnic and then visit the museum.

Located within walking distance of the San Luis Rey Mission lies Heritage Park Village and Museum. The park features the original buildings of downtown Oceanside. Guided tours are available in summer.

Frontwave Arena for NBA-Level Basketball and Outstanding Food

Frontwave Arena is home to the San Diego Clippers, the G League team for the LA Clippers, so you get NBA-level action without the NBA price tag.  The G League is NBA’s official minor league, “preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory.”  And the San Diego Clippers did not disappoint.  Neither did the food.  My friend and I went expecting a fun game, and we left raving about the real MVP: the food.

We smashed burgers and dirty fries from Tanner’s Prime Burgers, created by Michelin-starred chef Brandon Rodgers.  Seaside Market serves “Cardiff Crack” tri-tip, Gelati & Peccati’s Roman-style pizza.

There are several private suite options available for events, including the swanky Pala Casino Club for a more luxury experience.  Overall, the vibe is casual with loads of families and sports enthusiasts.  As guests of Visit Oceanside, we hung out in a 16 person event suite and had a great view of the arena.  Frontwave also offers concerts and shows with artists like Zach Williams and The 80’s Tour with Rick Springfield and Wang Chung.

Observe Nature at the Buena Vista Audubon Society

The non-profit Buena Vista Audubon Society teaches people about conservation through education programs. It’s a great place for birding. In addition, the Nature Center hosts a variety of programs for all ages. Interpretive displays feature local wildlife. In addition, there’s a 1/4-mile nature trail and a second story viewing deck of Buena Vista Lagoon.

Hiking, Biking and Birding at Guajome County Park

Located eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, the park offers biking, hiking and equestrian trails along a spring fed lake and marsh. But its real secret is its amazing bird watching. It’s one of the best spots in the area. At least 144 species have been spotted within its boundaries.

Eat in Oceanside

Oceanside has a vast array of eclectic eateries, gastropubs, beer gardens, new school taco shops, next wave coffee houses and reinvented sushi joints. Many are housed in repurposed buildings that breathe new life into their neighborhood settings.

My friend, a local, confirmed we were eating at an iconic Oceanside spot, Beach Break Café. Long waits are common at this 30 year old institution. But they’re worth it. The friendly vibe and family atmosphere were contagious. The owner’s son told me,  “Where else could I work where I get to have a meal with my family every day?”

His dad, the owner, shared how he started his breakfast dive with a baby, a surfboard and no experience. Just a strong desire to have a job that let him spend time with his family. The place was packed when we arrived, but we beat the wait. We had an outstanding egg scramble, extra crispy hash browns and gigantic mango multigrain pancakes. It was too much food, but we managed to eat it all.

Raise a Glass to Wine Tasting

Pack a basket of cheeses and small bites, then drive inland about 30 minutes to the Beach House Winery to catch a spectacular sunset from their patio. Owners George and Kim have received numerous awards. I took home a bottle of their award winning Beach House Wine to enjoy for the holidays. In retrospect, I should have bought more. The smooth red wine, with no tannins, was gone in seconds.

Spend the Night in Oceanside

Oceanside is home to a wide range of accommodations including hotels, motels, time shares, vacation rentals and beach-side campgrounds.

I have taken two girls getaway trips to Oceanside and each time my homebase was the SpringHill Suites Marriott. The suites have plenty of space for two women to unpack and relax.  And the hotel is right downtown, just 2 blocks from the beach, the boardwalk and the train.

The hotel and the rooms have an open, airy beach decor. The lobby has a very cool wavy light fixture hanging from the ceiling that really fits the vibe.  The interesting Always Hungry gift shop features local gourmet snacks, gifts and a kombucha fountain.

Like at all SpringHill Suites, a free, full breakfast is included.