Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

Region: Mission Bay and Beaches

Find your Funk & Groove in Ocean Beach

If you’re looking for a laid back beach to hang out like a local, look no further than Ocean Beach. This small beach town is a favorite among locals who spend their days surfing, sun bathing around the pier, hanging out in their vintage VW vans, and strolling through the many surf shops, taco stands and antique malls. Ocean Beach offers the pitch perfect throw-back groovy vibe of vintage SoCal, coupled with friendly locals, great dining, and a vibrant night life scene.

Nestled between the San Diego River and the hills of Point Loma, Ocean Beach is perfect for surfers to enjoy the waves created by jetties. The beach is also friendly for swimmers, sun bathers, even dogs too!

Where to go

• The Pier at the foot of Newport Avenue: One of the longest piers in Southern California, the Ocean Beach pier extents a good ½ mile out to sea. It’s 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.
• Dog Beach: Wedged between the Mission Bay Harbor Channel and the jetty at the north end of Ocean Beach. Here, pets are not only allowed on the beach, but encouraged to come anytime, cast off their leash and run amok with other canine wave crashers. If you’re a human overlooking the canine beach party, be sure to act responsibly.  Pets should vaccinated, obedient and otherwise qualified to be unleashed onto 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.

Parking

• There is a public parking lots located at the foot of Voltaire Street, another lot adjacent to the north end of the beach and Dog Beach, one at the foot of Santa Monica Avenue adjacent to the main lifeguard station, and a large lot at the foot of Newport Avenue, adjacent to the Ocean Beach Pier.
• Street parking is available along Newport Avenue, as well as surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Lifeguards, Bathrooms & Showers

• 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.

Popular Activities

• Surfing, swimming, sun bathing.
• Shopping, dining and nighlife along Newport Beach and Voltaire Street.

Directions

• Take the 8 FWY west to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and turn right on West Point Loma Blvd.