Beautiful Beaches of Oceanside
Oceanside Pier
San Diego, located in Southern California, is known for its stunning beaches! With over 70 miles of coastline, San Diego beaches offer something for everyone, from families to surfers, sunbathers, fishermen, and nature lovers. Starting from North San Diego in Oceanside all the way down to Southern Imperial Beach; this series will be a guide our most popular beaches. This first post will cover the beautiful beaches of Oceanside, California.
Harbor Beach
Nice wide beaches, and plenty of fire pits.
Harbor Beach:
Oceanside’s largest beach, offering everything from surfing, and swimming to volleyball and fishing. This family-friendly beach located next to the Harbor, known for its scenic views. Harbor Beach has three lifeguard towers, picnic areas, and restrooms.
Exit I 5, take the Harbor Drive exit, west; Harbor Drive will take you directly to the entrance of the Harbor. Here is link to the complete parking map from the City of Oceanside.
Breakwater Way Beach
Oceanside has some of the nicest sand in San Diego!
Breakwater Way Beach:
This is a quiet family beach located just south of Oceanside Harbor Beach. It is popular with surfers and volleyball players. It has showers and restrooms, some picnic tables, barbecue grills and a volleyball court.
Exit I 5, take the Harbor Drive exit, west; Harbor Drive will take your towards the harbor. Turn left onto N Pacific Street and right onto Breakwater Way.
Oceanside Pier, Pier View North and South Beach:
This palm-lined four-mile stretch of white sandy beach on either side of The Pier is an iconic Southern California beach. It is known for it’s scenic views and popular for activities like sunbathing, bodyboarding, surfing, fishing, and swimming. The Pier is the backdrop for some great Oceanside events, and is one of the longest piers on the west coast. Just below the entrance to the Pier is the Junior Seau Beach Amphitheater. There are a number of small parks along the boardwalk with restrooms, picnic tables, and barbecues. There is an excellent playground by the pier as well.
Exit I-5 at Mission Boulevard, go west. Take a right on North Pacific St. to Pier View Way and the Oceanside Pier.
Tyson Street Beach
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Tyson Street Beach
This beach is within walking distance of the Oceanside Pier, and is also known as Tyson Street Park. The park is practically on the sand, but it is surrounded by grass which makes it perfect for picnics. Lifeguard Tower 5 overlooks this stretch of beach. Stairs are provided for beach and park access from Pacific Street. Due to crowds in this area during the summer months, it is necessary to prohibit surfing here for the safety of swimmers and waders. Restrooms and showers are available.
Exit I- 5 at Mission Avenue, exit west. Proceed west on Mission Avenue to Pacific Street, turn left on Pacific Street and continue for about ½ mile until you reach Tyson Street.
Wisconsin Street Beach
Wisconsin Street beach is located at Wisconsin Street and The Strand. This is Oceanside’s least frequented beach since the beach is very narrow here. When the tide is high, the water can come all the way up to the rocks. There is a ramp just north of the lifeguard Tower 7 for access to the beach. The ocean in this area is open to all water activities. There are restrooms, showers, and a public telephone.
Exit I-5 at Oceanside Boulevard, west. When you reach the beach, turn right. You will travel less than one mile to reach Wisconsin Street.
Oceanside Blvd Beach
There is a boardwalk above the rocks to walk on when the tide is too high.
Oceanside Boulevard Beach
This beach has more actual beach area than its neighbors to the south, Buccaneer Beach. All along this beachfront, are private, ocean-front homes. During summer there is an area directly in front of Lifeguard Tower 9, approximately 200 ft., that is designated for swimmers, waders and body boarders only. For safety precautions, this area is closed to surfing and will be marked by checkered flags and swim-surf signs. There is a very large rock that sits in the surf line approximately 300 feet south of the lifeguard tower and can be seen at low tide. There are no restrooms but there is a shower. The closest public restroom is either Buccaneer or Wisconsin Street beach.
Exit I-5, take the Oceanside Boulevard exit; go west to the beach and to Lifeguard Tower 9.
Buccaneer Beach
There is a basket ball court and park across the street.
Buccaneer Beach:
This beach is the furthest beach south of the pier where the beach narrows and the road dips down to sea level. Considered Oceanside’s smallest beach; Lifeguard Tower 11. However, due to the park located across the street, is still very popular. During the summer months, the ocean directly in front of the lifeguard tower and between the rocks is designated for swimmers, waders and body boarders only. Buccaneer Park is located just across the street from the beach. The park has a large grass area, jungle gym, basketball court, picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, shower, snack bar and public telephone.
Exit I-5 at Vista Way . From the exit, you will proceed west until you reach Coast Highway, turn right; continue to Cassidy Street and turn left. Cassidy Street will take you to Pacific Street; turn right on Pacific Street and travel half a mile to Buccaneer Beach.
Insiders Tip: Oceanside is home to the original “Top Gun House” as seen in the original “Top Gun” and “Top Gun 2” movies. It has been remodeled since 1985, and was moved one block north of its original location in front of the beautiful new Mission Pacific Hotel. The cottage is still situated on North Pacific Street, facing the ocean. It is definitely worth driving by while you are enjoying the Oceanside Beaches. Click here for more history on the Top Gun house.