Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a central point to explore some of the region's best nightlife, shopping, and dining. It straddles the Pacific Ocean and the estuary of the San Diego River. It's directly between Port Loma and Mission Beach and is famed for its mussel industry and a proud local residential community whose residents call themselves OBecians. Visitors flock here for the fairs and celebrations held here at various points throughout the year.

Ocean Beach is home to one of the first dog-friendly beaches in the United States, as well as to many feral parrots who thrive in the subtropical climate. It's also home to several Historic Landmarks. In short, whether you're looking for history or culture, unique sites, or family-friendly fun, this is a good choice for your vacation.

Ocean Beach - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in San Diego (Read all about San Diego here)

Highlights of Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is home to one of the longest piers in all of Southern California. The Pier extends a half-mile out over the ocean and is one of the few places where you can go fishing without a fishing license, so if you're a visitor, it's a popular place to cast a line. It's also somewhere you can get breathtaking views of the sea, and even catch sight of dolphins and whales o the horizon. If you're a pet owner, you'll want to check out Dog Beach, the first off-leash dog-friendly beach in the nation, which is open 24/7.

The feral parrot community can be best seen and heard just before sunset and just after sunrise when they are the most active and vocal throughout the area. If you're looking for shopping, dining, and nightlife in the area, you'll want to head to Newport Avenue and Voltaire Street. At these places, you can find boutique clothing, trendy watering holes, and outstanding seafood restaurants offering local mussels, clams, and lobster.

History of Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach was originally the site of the Hapai fishing camp of the Kumeyaay indigenous people. Europeans first settled it due to being a rich source of lobsters, abalone, clams, and mussels. The first European settlers here built a hotel in 1887 and subdivided the area. In the early 20th Century, the Wonderland Amusement park dominated the northern end of the park, but it went bankrupt and closed in 1916, though the name lives on in some local businesses.

Around the same time, surfing was introduced to his area by a local lifeguard, and the World Surfing Championship was hosted here by 1966. During that period, it was a popular destination for hippies, and by the 70s, it was developed into a tourist destination. Many San Diego Historic Landmarks of the early days still stand here like the library and the Strand Theater.

What to know about Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a popular spot 10 minutes northwest of downtown with surfing, swimming, sunbathing, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The beaches are supported and supervised by lifeguards. Most public beach areas also offer features like restrooms and showers. The beaches have disability assistance, and most of the businesses are friendly to people with disabilities.

If you drive to Ocean Beach, you'll find public parking in a lot at the foot of Victoria Street. Additional public parking lots can be found near Dog Beach, Santa Monica Avenue, Newport Avenue, and Ocean Beach Pier. Street parking is also available throughout the residential neighborhoods across Ocean Beach. While Dog Beach is welcoming to pets, not every business is as welcoming. If you're bringing your dog along, be sure to check with local businesses to be sure it's okay that they come in. Support animals are, of course, welcome almost everywhere.

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.