Oceanside, CA Summary

Oceanside, 36 miles north of San Diego along I-5, overlooks the Gulf of Santa Catalina. The city (population 142,000) is bordered by Camp Pendleton, a US Marine base to the north, and Carlsbad to the south. A wide, white-sand beach stretches 4 miles from the harbor to the Carlsbad border.

This beach boasts some of the world’s best surfing. It hosts the Longboard Surf Contest and the World Bodysurfing Championships. Yachts, shops, and restaurants line the harbor.

Surfing, boating, fishing, and whale-watching during migration season are the main activities in Oceanside. There are tram rides along the 1,954-foot-long pier, and the nearby Strand, a long, grassy park, is a favorite place to spend a sunny day.

The 1798 Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, named for French King Louis IX, is the largest of the state’s 21 missions, and served as the backdrop for a film about Zorro. Other attractions include the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum and the California Surf Museum.

Oceanside has bus and train service, and nearby San Diego has an international airport.