Oceanside Travel and Things to Do Guide

Oceanside is a true SoCal beach town with a tangible laid-back vibe. The city boasts spectacular year-round weather, gorgeous beaches, a historic wooden pier, a quaint New England-style harbor, and charming bungalow neighborhoods. O'side (as locals affectionately call it) is a destination of discovery, where you can enjoy everything from awe-inspiring sea life and exciting ocean adventures to California history at the "King of Missions" and surf culture at the California Surf Museum.
A coastal community, Oceanside is easily accessed by car from Interstate 5 and the historic Coast Highway 101. The city can also be reached by rail with daily stops at the Oceanside Transit Center from Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, which services cities between Santa Barbara and Oceanside. The Transit Center also is a central hub for three other rail lines: the Coaster, which operates a daily schedule between downtown San Diego and Oceanside; the Sprinter, which runs daily between Oceanside and Escondido to the east; and the Metrolink, which services eastern Orange County, San Bernardino, and Riverside.


Oceanside event facilities and venues range from beachfront hotels, historic theaters, and community centers to museums, gardens, and private estates. Oceanside is home to a wide range of lodging options as well.