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Ocean Beach
A Dog Receives a Pat on the Head
A place for you, your dog, and the whole rest of the pack.
Ocean Beach is a cozy little beach with a small town feel, nestled between the San Diego River and the hills of
Point Loma. It's the kind of place where you can pull a chair up to the bar for a cup of coffee and settle in with the newspaper before heading out to enjoy the sunshine on your favorite stretch of sand. Like a small town, people greet one another as they meet on the pier for a fish or cross paths on the boardwalk. Surfers enjoy the waves created by the jetties here while swimmers and sunbathers will be pleasantly surprised by the friendly, familiar atmosphere on the beach.
Dog Beach, wedged between the
Mission Bay Harbor Channel and the jetty at the north end of Ocean Beach, is a dog's slice of heaven. Here, pets are not only allowed on the beach, but encouraged to come anytime, cast off their leash and run amok with all their pals. After work, or anytime on the weekend, you'll find upward of 100 specimens, big and small, young and old, all frisking and fetching. The system only works when humans act responsibly, making sure their pets are vaccinated, obedient and otherwise qualified to be unleashed on the world. Pet owners are required by law to clean up after their pets at Dog Beach and all other San Diego Parks and Beaches but, needless to say, it's a good idea to watch your step.
Ocean Beach has lifeguard-supervised swimming and surfing areas, restrooms, showers and assistance for disabled patrons. Here, and at many other of San Diego's most popular beaches, lifeguards offer special rubberized roadways and off-road wheelchairs to help get you from the boardwalk, over the deep sand and out onto the beach where the fun is. Just inquire at the main lifeguard tower, during regular on-duty hours.
Before you head out onto
The Pier at the foot of Newport Avenue for a quick look, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. It's a good mile or so round trip, but well-worth the effort for the great view and the sensation of watching swells pass under your feet and waves crash on the pilings. There's a classic coffee shop mid-way out and a tackle shop too. Ocean Beach Pier is one of the few places in San Diego where you can fish without a valid California fishing license. You're still expected to know and follow all the size and catch limits, but there's sure to be an old pro near at hand to recite them for you.
Directions
Take the 8 FWY west to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and turn right on West Point Loma Blvd.
Offerings
Lifeguards, bathrooms and showers. Parking lots, surf spots and dog trots. Food and drink to be had up Newport Avenue and at establishments along the beach. Farmer's market is held each Wednesday, just one block from the beach. Free-license fishing on the pier, a public skateboard park, tennis courts and soccer/rugby fields nearby. Call: 619-221-8899 for more info.
Considerations
Like its neighbors to the north,
Mission Beach and
Pacific Beach, O.B. comes with a permanent population of 'beach flies' - regulars who can be found sitting on the seawall or hanging out in the parking lots at any time of day, on just about any day of the year. They're harmless, good-natured folk, who look forward to the change of scenery presented by visitors, but if you didn't come to the beach to have some old fishermen bend your ear on the boardwalk, make a decisive b-line for the beach.
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San Diego Beach Guide - San Diego's Best Beaches
