Residents and visitors to Oceanside are able to experience many sides of the city’s personality.
Some parts have older buildings, like the Top Gun House, built in 1888 and the Roberts Cottages, which were first available as vacation rental properties in 1928. At the same time, there is also a plan for revitalization ahead, with a new downtown corridor plan. There are new rooftop bars, historic hotels like the Brick Hotel that have been newly renovated and foodies can find audacious fine dining restaurants such as the Japanese restaurant Matsu.
On a recent Monday in February, as I walked up and down South Coast Highway and drove inland toward Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, there seemed to be something for everyone. Visitors can choose from eight beaches, a variety of golf courses, museums, weekly farmers and vendor markets, various retail shops and see murals throughout the city.
This guide recommends 12 places to check out while in the county’s third largest city, whether you live in Oceanside or plan to visit on the North County Transit District’s Coaster or Sprinter.
California Surf Museum
In 2023, the California Surf Museum was named No. 2 in the nation in USA Today’s list of 10 best attractions for sports fans.” This museum, which was founded in 1986, chronicles the history of surfing with artwork, surfboards, exhibits, videos, photos, historic archives and more. The museum also hosts events and has a store where guest can buy souvenirs, books, apparel and hips to help it. ission fees are $7 for adults; $5 for seniors, military and students; and kids 11 and under are itted for free. 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside. (760) 721-6876. surfmuseum.org
The Jazzy Wishbone
Saxophones, piano and drums are just a few of the sounds you might hear at the Jazzy Wishbone. This music venue has local jazz bands playing most nights and serves beer and wine. The small venue, which gives off dive bar vibes, has a kitchen with a food menu that includes plant-based meatballs, salmon, pizza, pasta and salads. The Jazzy Wishbone also host comedy shows in the back patio on Thursdays. 234 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. (760) 644-5889. jazzywishbone.com
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
The Mission San Luis Rey de Francia I felt a sense of spirituality and serenity when I walked the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. At the 18th and the largest of the 21 California missions, there are public gardens, picnic areas, courtyards, a museum, a fruit orchard with California’s first pepper tree, birds singing, squirrels frolicking, walking trails, a historic church with daily mass, a cemetery and various statues, including four representing Jesus Christ and the stations of the cross. Visitors are free to roam around the Mission’s open space and do a self-guided tour, where on any given day you will see families visiting and teachers with parents and students on a field trip. The Mission also has a coffee shop, hosts events several times a month and has free parking. 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside. (760) 757-3651. sanluisrey.org
Oceanside Pier
Oceanside PierOne of the most iconic landmarks in Oceanside is the city’s pier. When I walked on the pier, it was windy and cold during the afternoon and I could see seagulls waiting for people to feed them. On the 1,954-foot-long pier, you can fish, grab a bite to eat and check out the Pacific Ocean marine life. The pier was first constructed in 1888, and since then it has gone through a handful of rebuilds and renovations. At sea level, the pier is adjacent to an outdoor community amphitheater, a boardwalk to bike and skate, a playground for kids, picnic areas, food vendors and a sandy beach. There is also the Junior Seau Beach Community Center with indoor sports activities like bowling, basketball, dodge ball and pickleball. visitoceanside.org
Petite Madeline Bakery
At Petite Madeline, the smell of fresh baked goods, like cookies and pastries, permeates the air. It offers the comfort of a neighborhood cafe or diner with locals chatting it up inside. A staff member recommended to me their favorite item on the menu: the chicken pesto sandwich, which comes with your choice of a side salad or kettle chips. I t did not disappoint. The chicken is juicy, the pesto and cheddar jack toasted bread are savory and there’s a perfect taste and crunch with lettuce, tomato and béchamel sauce inside the sandwich. Petite Madeline also has an espresso bar, kids breakfast choices and makes custom-order cakes. 223 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. (760) 231-7300. petitemadelinebakery.com
The Rooftop Bar
The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific HotelGo up to the sixth floor of the Mission Pacific Beach Resort and get some of the best views of Oceanside at The Rooftop Bar. It gave me the feeling of spending time at an upscale beach resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It’s designed with tropical decor, lots of plants and greenery, cabanas, a pool, wood floors and fixtures, seating with large umbrellas outside, an indoor fireplace by the bar and even a dolphin statue. Plus, you get picture perfect sunset views looking toward the Oceanside Pier on a clear evening. The food menu has snacks, small plates and desserts, along with a full bar that has 10 custom cocktails, named after surf breaks along the San Diego coastline. I tried the Stonesteps, and it packs a fruit punch taste with heat and spiciness. It’s made with tequila, guava, serrano pepper, agave and fresh lime juice. 201 N. Myers St., Oceanside. (760) 512-3331. rooftopbaroceanside.com
Sea Hive Marketplace
Oceanside has a mix of retail shops, whether you are looking for newer boutiques with trendy options or old school alternatives like vintage thrift stores. One place that has a little of both is Sea Hive Marketplace. Inside the 13,000-square-foot storefront are various small businesses selling a variety of goods. It kind of reminds me of an indoor swap meet. Some of the shopping options you might see are handmade paintings, chairs, leather goods, jewelry and vinyl records. 1555 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. (760) 547-5706. seahivemarketplace.com
The Space Pad
For a space-themed, intergalactic speakeasy experience, visit The Space Pad. It has colorful decor with neon lights around a 500-square-foot bar. There are blue seats at the bar, one wall that looks like a lava lamp, one wall with sparkles, an inflatable alien and lamps that look like circular spaceships. This speakeasy was designed to depict a planet known as Rillispore, with stories about aliens inspired by artist Clinton Cary. The cocktail menu is outer space and Tiki-themed, with drinks like the Lunar Roja (Alma Tepec, mezcal, ginger, honey and lemon) and the Royal Hawaiian (gin, orgeat syrup, lemon and pineapple). The food menu includes small seafood dishes like ceviche and poke. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made on the Space Pad website. 406 Mission Ave., Oceanside. (760) 688-6078. thespacepad.com
Sounds by the Sea
When you step into Sounds by the Sea, it’s like being in the living room of a friend who is a music lover. This music listening bar centers around an oval shaped DJ booth surrounded by plush sofas and chairs. Guests can sit around it and enjoy the sounds of DJs spinning nightly. The music is not blazing in your ears, but instead, is more like background listening. The volume is just loud enough to Shazam some of the obscure and international songs being played, while still having comfortable conversations with friends. There is also a bar with signature cocktails, a Mediterranean-inspired food menu and an outdoor seating area. 325 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. (760) 547-5441. soundbytheseaoc.com
Star Theatre
Hollywood history and community involvement are what you’ll find when visiting the Star Theatre. It began as a movie theater, with “Moby Dick” as its first showing on Aug. 18, 1956, and over the years, it showed many blockbusters like the first “Star Wars” movie in 1977. According to Paul Friedman, managing director for the Star Theatre, patrons also flocked here to see the colorful, animated neon marquee with stars lined up toward the sky that at one point was the largest of its kind, west of the Mississippi. It hosted films until the late 1990s when a Regal Cinemas theater opened nearby. It has since been renovated, and is now a live performing arts theater for the community. There are six different shows each year (two weekend showings per show) geared toward kids, teenagers and adults; special weekday showings for local school field trips and two summer camp sessions. Plus, the Star Theatre has a mural on the side of its building that depicts Oceanside’s connection to Mother Nature, according to the mural’s artist Skye Walker. 402 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. (760) 7219983. startheatreco.com
Thai Table Time
Those who are looking for a mom and pop restaurant serving authentic Thai food can try Thai Table Time. It is one of the highest-rated food options on Yelp and Google in Oceanside, averaging 4.7 stars. Inside you will see Asian statues, plants, paintings on the wall and wooden chairs. Some of the dishes available are pad Thai, spicy noodles, various curries, fried rice options, soups, dessert and more. There is also a lunch special available Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers can place orders online or over the phone, and Thai Table Time is open every day except Monday. 1910 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside. (760) 721-4850. thaitableoceanside.com
Top Gun House and High Pie
If you are a fan of 1980s movies, then the Top Gun House, adjacent to the Oceanside Pier, is a must see. Visitors to the community can be spotted taking photos in front of this historic home that was used in the 1986 movie, “Top Gun.” What caught my eye was the replica of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX900 motorcycle that was used by Tom Cruise’s character in the film. Many people I saw wanted to take a photos next to it, so be patient. The house was built in 1887 by Dr. Henry Graves as a vacation home and is designed in the style of a Queen Anne Cottage. Today, it also serves as the location for High Pie, a shop that sells individually-sized fruit and cream-filled pies. Inside the home you smell the cherry, blueberry and apple pies and see photos from the “Top Gun” movie in the back walls. 250 N. Pacific St., Oceanside. (760) 313-0027. famoushighpie.com
