Oceanside

Oceanside, California, United States

Ask an O’side local about their favorite beach, and they’ll likely ask, “For doing what?” Yup, each locale has its own vibe and offers its own type of adventure, from beach walking and building sandcastles, to swimming and bodysurfing, to shredding gnarly waves. Whatever kind of beach mood visitors are in, we’ve got a great beach for everybody.

Harbor Drive

Oceanside, California, United States

Between the picnic tables, fire pits, and volleyball courts, Harbor Beach has that quintessential SoCal beach vibe. It’s a short walk to the shops and eateries at Oceanside Harbor, or visitors can bring their fishing gear and fish off the jetty. Guarded by Towers 12, 14, and 16, Harbor Beach is open for all water activities all summer long.

Wisconsin Avenue

Oceanside, California, United States

Wisconsin Street Beach is open to all water activities, but if guests want to play on the sand, they’ve got to make like a surfer and pay attention to the tide tables—at high tide, the beach disappears. The beach is located at Wisconsin Street and The Strand, which here is a one-way, southbound street running parallel to the beach. For access, look for the ramp just north of lifeguard Tower 7.

Tyson Street

Oceanside, California, United States

Walking distance from the pier and guarded by Tower 5, Tyson Street Park features a great picnic park just a few feet from the beach. It’s closed to surfers during the summer months, making Tyson Street a great beach for swimmers and waders. Access the beach and park from the stairs located on Pacific Street.

Pier View Way

Oceanside, California, United States

Roll out the beach towel on Pier View South Beach and you’ll be in the middle of lots of O’side beach action. True to its name, this sandy beach is located south of the pier, and thanks to its great break conditions, it’s the site of surfing, body boarding, and body surfing contests throughout the summer. For safety, no water activity is allowed within 100 feet of the pier. Instead, look for the different flags marking activity boundaries for surfing and swimming between Tower 1, located just south of the pier, and Tower 3, another 300 feet further to the south.

Oceanside, CA

Located in South O, Oceanside’s smallest beach with a lifeguard tower (Tower 11) is just across the street from Buccaneer Park and the ultimate surfside snack shack, locally loved Buccaneer Café. During the summer months, the ocean directly in front of Tower 11 and between the rocks bordering the neighborhood homes, is designated for swimmers, waders, and body boarders only. Closed to surfers as a safety precaution, you’ll see the area marked with two checkered flags and swim-surf signs. The area outside the flags is open to surfing and all other types of water activity