"Ocean Beach - Eclectic Seaside Town" Ocean Beach by Rixie

Ocean Beach Travel Guide: 63 reviews and 132 photos

Ocean Beach, 15 minutes from the San Diego Airport, is a crazy mixture of Santa Cruz surfer culture, Hawaiian flora, and Southern California weather, with a pinch of Haight-Ashbury to spice things up.

The beach offers clean sand and warm water and the opportunity to ride the waves or build sand castles; the town is chock full of places to eat and shop. You can buy an antique dresser, a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone, an elegant gown, and a tattoo in the same block.

It's a crowded, sometimes raucous place, where college students, families, middle-aged couples, aging hippies and street people share the same space. On one walk, I saw an Asian family fishing together on the pier (grandma in a big-brimmed straw hat, grandbaby with her own little pink fishing rod), a group of tanned surfer babes and dudes strutting their stuff, and musician playing on the seawall, a parrot perched on his guitar.

OB is not to everyone's taste -- those who prefer to hear only the quiet lapping of the waves would probably be happier in nearby Imperial Beach or Coronado. But visitors who like adventure, diversity, and the unexpected will enjoy spending some time (and money) in OB.

Ocean Beach, full of sunbathers,seen from the pier

The water is warm, and the weather is tropical.

Newport Avenue

Newport Avenue is full of restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. There's something for everyone.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful weather, good food, beer, and energy
Cons:Can be noisy
In a nutshell:The Closest Thing to Hawaii You'll Find in California

Intro Updated Aug 26, 2007
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Reviews (8)

"Hey, you going to the dog beach? Me, too!" - Ocean Beach

Take Bucky to the Beach Things to Do (4)

The northernmost part of Ocean Beach is set aside as a dog park, which is fun for dogs and their owners. Note: Owners... more travel advice

Go Fishing Things to Do (4)

I was surprised at the number and variety of people who fish from the Ocean Beach Pier. There were three generations of... more travel advice

Young surfers in competition, seen from the pier - Ocean Beach

Watch the Surfers Things to Do (4)

One day when we were in OB, there was a children's surfing competition. It was so cute to see those pint-sized... more travel advice

A pleasant form of exercise - Ocean Beach

Walk the Pier Things to Do (4)

Walking the length of the Ocean Beach Pier is a good way to work off all of the ice cream and beer calories you've been... more travel advice

Restaurants (2)
See All Take an Ice Cream Break
Local Customs (1)
The OB Pause

Hotels (1)
Pricey Beachfront Accommodations
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Comments (4)

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travelgourmet May 7, 2009 at 12:07 PM

Nice opening page on OB, but the "Santa Cruz surfer culture" is almost sacrilegious. I surfed the Sunset Cliffs and OB, late 50's and early 60's and that was almost 50 years after George Freeth 1907, Duke Kahanmoku or Charlie Wright stepped on the sand.
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deecat Jan 11, 2009 at 11:20 AM

July 20 Rules! A fun-filled group of pages with honest observations, helpful tips, and interesting insights.
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sourbugger Nov 14, 2007 at 8:18 AM

i found this to be an interesting little page
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ATLC Sep 14, 2007 at 2:24 PM

OB Pause sounds better than menopause. LOL. Nice page, Rixie!