Ocean Beach, California Travel Guide:
The Top 5 Can't-Miss Things To Do and See in Ocean Beach, California
Known for being an eclectic community, the city of Ocean Beach is a haven for a wide variety of people. With its beautiful sunsets, warm climates, and gentle breezes, it can be the perfect spot to take in a hippie vibe. There are spots to sunbathe, piers to fish off of, shops to explore, and even restaurants to dine and sample some excellent cuisine.
Ocean Beach is a neighborhood beachfront community located northwest of the San Diego central district. It has a rich history, with many buildings listed as historical sites. It was a cultural haven for the wild and free lifestyle of the American hippie. Many progressive Californians who call ocean Beach home refuse to allow chain restaurants to dominate the local landscape and are actively involved in community affairs.
What are the Top Five Things to See and Do in Ocean Beach?
What are the hidden treasures of Ocean Beach, Ca? Let’s explore the top five attractions.
Fish Off the Huge Pier
This massive Ocean Beach Pier is one of the few places in California where you can fish without a license. The artificial structure spans half a mile into the Pacific, allowing anglers to catch some good-sized mackerel, sea bass, halibut, and barracuda. Don't be surprised if you catch sight of a sea lion or two because they have been known to frequent the deeper waters off the end of the pier.
The pier is shaped in a T-fashion, so there is plenty of room for everyone to explore. As you walk along, the pier is also a hangout for all kinds of waterfowl, from gulls to pelicans to almost anything in between. The pier has become a spot to stretch your legs, people watch, or even grab a simple coffee and relax in the ocean breeze.
Explore the Rock Cliffs at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
If you are craving a bit more adventure, you can’t go wrong by exploring Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. This park has steep pathways leading down to rocky parts of the area, where you can stand and feel the mist of the surf as it crashes into the rocks. Be careful. The best time to explore this area is in the morning at low tide. But if it is excellent pictures you want and a memorable visit standing next to the power of a mighty ocean, this is the place. At Sunset Cliffs, you can swim (the safest place is under a rock formation called the arch), but you cannot cliff dive (anything over a 5-foot jump into the water will earn you a hefty $5k fine if you are caught).
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park spans nearly sixty-eight acres. The beach is small and is usually only uncovered at low tide. But it is a beautiful place for shell finding and nature watching. The Park is also home to some surfers, so it is an excellent spot for watching these daredevils perfect their craft.
Eat Your Heart Out At Hodad’s
Featured on the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives television program in 2007, this one-of-a-kind burger joint has become a national attraction. Hodad’s features some of the most iconic burgers, sandwiches, and shakes you can imagine. Located on Newport Ave, in downtown Ocean Beach, the joint proclaims on the front of the building to have sold more than a “gazillion” burgers, and from its reputation, it probably has. The operation has another location in downtown San Diego and multiple locations at Petco Park, just to allow Padres fans to partake of what has to be the best burger joint in San Diego. (We love getting a fully loaded burger with a mountain of onion rings). By the way, you should expect to wait in line - this place is that popular, but it is worth it.
Should you wish for something a bit sweeter, try the retro ice cream shop known as Lighthouse Ice Cream. Located just off the pier, this shop has been serving its famous waffle cone ice cream sandwich for 25 years. It offers a variety of ice creams. The award-winning recipe was declared the Grand National Champion in 2016 and has won the national lick-off award. When I tell you that this ice cream is good, it is better than that - please do yourself a favor and stop by. Owner Carol Ladiges and her staff will be delighted to see you and serve up a milkshake, malt, banana split, or almost 30 varieties of ice cream.
Shop on Newport Avenue
Newport Avenue is the main street of Ocean Beach, and there is no shortage of small boutiques, bars, and eateries for you to frequent. It spans about 3-4 blocks, so it isn’t the largest shopping area in the world, but what it offers is special. For years, the residents of Ocean Beach have tried to protect their little community from big-box stores (including a recent grass-roots effort to keep Target from building there). This small-town vibe comes across. There are tattoo parlors, eclectic shops with tie-dyed T-shirts, and souvenir shops peddling a host of hippie memorabilia.
Give Your Pooch Time to Frolic in the Ocean
The original Dog Beach is the perfect place to let your puppy wander and frolic in the ocean. This beach is solely for dog lovers who want to play and splash a bit in the water. The beach can be crowded with canine lovers on the weekends, but there is public parking, and the water is easy to access. This is not a park for your to just let your dog to his own devices, you are responsible for monitoring your puppy, but it's a beautiful place to spend some time letting fido get a bit of exercise and meet some of his doggie buddies.
What’s the Best Way to Get Around Ocean Beach if I have a Large Group?
Many folks have discovered that renting a sedan or limousine service can effectively and efficiently transport their group from one location to another. Whether renting a party bus to see a Padres game, planning a day trip to see other sites in San Diego, or even exploring wine country, the folks at San Diego Sedan and Limousine can provide all of your transportation needs.
Aren’t Charter buses Expensive?
While rental companies charge based on the time a group uses the bus and the number of people transported, the expenses for securing this kind of transportation are often less than you might think. The San Diego Charter Bus consultants will be happy to assist you in planning and logistics of your trip to Ocean Beach. They specialize in everything from executive sedan service from the airport to any destination in the San Diego area to golf outings to tours.
How Do I Find Out More Information?
You can simply call a consultant at the limousine service to inquire. The staff will happily work with you to plan an outing that fits your budget and builds memories for everyone involved.
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