Oceanside in North County San Diego is likely to be an additional drive in the event you’re coming from the San Diego International Airport, but it surely’s chock filled with family-friendly actions and locations to remain. Depending on the size of your trip, you may decide to remain in one in all Oceanside’s accommodations or drive up if staying in San Diego.
Those planning an entertaining day in Oceanside with children can create lasting recollections and discover ample actions to maintain their little (or massive) ones entertained. Oceanside has all the pieces from lovely seashores to participating museums to fabulous meals.
The metropolis is designed for lively households seeking to benefit from the nice outdoor, however you don’t have to return throughout summer season to take pleasure in the most effective—there are many enjoyable household actions to do all yr lengthy.
Key Takeaways
See additionally: Ultimate Guide to San Diego Family Activities
Beaches and Water Fun
Oceanside provides many amusing seashore actions for households. From sandy seashores to browsing classes, there’s loads to do exterior to maintain children entertained.
Exploring Oceanside’s Sandy Beaches
Oceanside’s sandy seashores are excellent for a household day trip. Buccaneer Beach is smaller however much less crowded, which may be perfect if you wish to stroll round with the kiddos to let off some pent-up power.
Oceanside Harbor Beach has bigger seashores with extra facilities, similar to picnic tables, BBQ grills, and, better of all, a children’ play space. It’s additionally near eateries in the event you want a chew to eat after exploring.
Tips
See additionally: Guide to Family Beaches in San Diego
Surf’s Up: Lessons and Surfing Culture
Oceanside is thought for its vibrant browsing tradition. You’ll nearly at all times spot surfers by the Oceanside Pier.
Several surf faculties, similar to Oceanside Surf School or North County Surf Academy, provide beginner-friendly classes. Instructors give attention to educating primary expertise and security guidelines.
It’s an effective way to introduce your children to browsing and the ocean. You may also go to native surf retailers to purchase cool gear.
Paddleboarding and Kayaking Adventures
For one thing totally different, attempt paddleboarding or kayaking. Paddleboarding is calm in comparison with the crashing waves of browsing. It’s a great exercise and straightforward for teenagers to choose up.
Kayaking is another choice, letting households discover the harbor or close by waters. Some locations even provide guided excursions. Just keep in mind to deliver sunscreen and keep hydrated.
Spend the Entire Day at Oceanside Harbor Village
Oceanside Harbor Village is a family-friendly spot to eat and play by the water. Eat at one of many oceanfront eating spots that supply eating for all ages. The fast-casual choices let households with youthful kids discover one thing to eat with out spending too lengthy at a sit-down restaurant with antsy toddlers.
You may also lease a ship or store at one of many many shops. Oceanside Harbor Village is the proper place to make household recollections.
Outdoor Activities and Parks
You can uncover loads of enjoyable household actions exterior and fascinating parks in Oceanside that can preserve your children entertained. From watching whales to having fun with a picnic, there’s one thing for each household.
Whale Watching and Nature Tours
If your loved ones loves the ocean, make sure you go whale watching. The coastal waters round Oceanside are excellent for recognizing whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Local excursions typically present binoculars and guides that share fascinating information about marine life.
You may even see an imposing grey whale or playful pods of dolphins. It’s an unforgettable expertise that the youngsters will discuss for weeks or doubtlessly a life-long reminiscence.
Picnics and Playgrounds in Oceanside Parks
Oceanside’s parks are excellent for picnics and playtime. Tyson Street Park has a playground for youthful kids, picnic tables, and nice views to observe the sundown. You may even deliver your canine to incorporate the entire household.
Buccaneer Park has basketball courts for older children and youths in addition to a playground. There are loads of parks to choose from. My household loves parks as a result of they’re free!
Camping Under the Stars
For an evening beneath the celebrities, take into account tenting. The coastal space gives quite a few spots the place you may arrange a tent and revel in nature. Imagine the youngsters laughing, telling tales, and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. Local campgrounds typically have facilities like restrooms and picnic tables, making the expertise snug for households.
Oceanside has campgrounds and RV parks for households who need to spend time exterior. There are choices close to the ocean or extra inland. Guajome Regional Park has 33 websites, however when you have an RV, you could favor Paradise by the Sea RV Resort or the Oceanside RV Park.
Sea Lion Island
Sea Lion Island is a small however magical commentary deck the place you may see sea lions basking within the solar. Located close to the harbor, this place provides you an up-close view of those playful animals — however be respectful and secure by watching them from a distance.
They’re fairly the entertainers, typically bouncing out and in of the water and barking playfully. It’s an ideal alternative for youths to witness sea lions of their pure habitat.
Sea Lion Island is positioned by N Pacific St, Oceanside, CA 92054. This is a superb factor to do in Oceanside with children who love animals.
Skate Park and Outdoor Recreation
If your children love skateboarding or scootering, they’ll have a blast at Oceanside’s skate parks. Yes, there are multiple. There is John Landes Skatepark, Libby Lake Skatepark, Martin Luther King Skatepark, and extra.
The parks might function ramps, rails, and open areas appropriate for varied ability ranges. Just make sure you observe the principles and rules, similar to sporting a helmet, elbow, and kneepads.
Cultural Exploration for Kids
Oceanside provides a variety of cultural actions excellent for youngsters. Discover native museums, historic landmarks, and vibrant public artwork. This wealthy cultural expertise is instructional and enjoyable, letting children study concerning the space’s distinctive roots.
Learn and Play at Oceanside Museums
Oceanside has a number of museums which are perfect for younger explorers. The Oceanside Museum of Art options varied instructional and fascinating displays. Kids can admire artwork or take part in workshops.
For these enthusiastic about browsing, the California Surf Museum showcases the historical past and tradition of browsing in California. It’s free for youths beneath 11, making it an accessible possibility for households. The small displays present an intimate studying expertise about surf historical past and well-known surfers.
Historical Landmarks: Mission San Luis Rey
A go to to the Mission San Luis Rey introduces children to the town’s native historical past. This mission is likely one of the oldest in California, offering a glimpse into the previous by its preserved structure and artifacts.
Kids can discover the church, gardens, and nature heart and study concerning the mission’s position in California’s historical past. Family-friendly excursions can be found, together with instructional packages specializing in the mission’s cultural significance.
Public Art and Local Heritage
Downtown Oceanside is wealthy with numerous public artwork installations and murals. Kids will take pleasure in strolling excursions that function colourful avenue artwork unfold all through the town.
Many of those works replicate native heritage and provide a enjoyable and interactive technique to find out about Oceanside. They additionally make nice backdrops for household selfies! The Master’s Kitchen and Cocktail Mural is daring and vibrant, whereas the Rising Co. one is extra muted.
Family Dining and Local Treats
Oceanside provides quite a lot of eating choices that cater to households, together with cozy breakfast spots and vibrant night markets. Here’s the place you could find the most effective meals and treats for your loved ones throughout your go to.
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Oceanside
For a hearty meal, head to the Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen. This spot is legendary for its big selection of dishes, from deviled eggs to steak and seafood.
Another nice alternative is Rockin’ Baja Oceanside Harbor, identified for its tasty salsa bar and seafood buckets. If your loved ones loves pizza, you may’t miss ZIGZAG Pizza, the place the pizza is scrumptious and fairly priced.
Delicious Breakfast Spots to Start Your Day
Starting your day with a great breakfast units the tone for a enjoyable household outing. Mellano Farm Stand provides contemporary, natural produce and pleasant baked items.
Another favourite is Beach Break Café, the place you may take pleasure in quite a lot of breakfast classics. I notably love the tender and fluffy espresso cake, and it’s a favourite for all ages. The environment is welcoming, making it an ideal spot for youths to take pleasure in pancakes, eggs, and extra.
See additionally: Best Family Restaurants in San Diego
Exploring the Sunset Market Food Vendors
The night Sunset Market is a must-visit for households. Every Thursday from 5 – 9 pm, you may discover quite a lot of meals distributors providing a variety of snacks and meals. There’s one thing for everybody, from contemporary crepes and tacos to grilled corn and kettle corn. Teens and toddlers alike can discover one thing they not solely need to eat however actually love.
It can get extraordinarily busy as a result of they block off the streets, so you could need to come to the world forward of time to search out parking.
Tip: It can get extraordinarily busy as a result of they block off the streets, so you could need to come to the world forward of time to search out parking.
Experience Local Events
Remember to maintain a watch out for native happenings, which you could find on the Visit Oceanside web site. These can fluctuate by day or month. The Oceanside International Film Festival in February may be nice for youths and youths who take pleasure in movies.
But there are additionally smaller occasions like stay music at eating places. Privateer Coal Fire Pizza has stay music from native artists each Wednesday night.
Eventful Evenings: Sunset to Starlight
Evening in Oceanside is a magical time for households. You can take pleasure in breathtaking sunsets at one in all California’s most iconic piers and dive into full of life avenue festivities that supply enjoyable for everybody.
Capturing the Perfect Sunset at Oceanside Pier
Explore the well-known Oceanside Pier, the place you may take pleasure in a leisurely stroll, attempt fishing, or absorb the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. You may even see a sea lion swimming or pelicans scrounging round for leftover fish from the fishermen. My household loves strolling on the pier, and my toddler likes to look at the waves.
Watching the sundown on the Oceanside Pier is unforgettable. The pier, stretching 1,942 toes into the ocean, provides you a front-row seat to nature’s night present. The sky flares in fiery oranges and purples, making it an ideal location for taking gorgeous household photographs. Just get there early so that you’re not speeding as a result of as soon as the solar begins setting, it goes fairly shortly.
Evening Entertainment and Festivities
After the solar units, Oceanside comes alive with night actions. One of the highlights is the Sunset Market however there are additionally family-friendly occasions just like the First Friday: Oceanside Art Walk, the place you may take pleasure in stay performances, arts, and crafts.
This occasion is held in Downtown Oceanside and is free to attend, making it an reasonably priced and pleasurable exercise for the entire household.
Shopping and Souvenirs
There are many alternatives to buy distinctive gadgets and souvenirs in Oceanside. Discover contemporary produce on the Mainstreet Oceanside Certified Farmers Market or discover handmade items and distinctive presents you gained’t discover elsewhere.
Oceanside Farmers Market Finds
In Oceanside, the Farmers Market is the place to search out contemporary and native produce each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You will expertise a pleasant array of fruits, greens, and flowers. The market additionally provides baked items, jams, and different native treats, excellent for a household outing. It’s an ideal spot to seize a fast chew, like a croissant or different goodies for the youngsters to munch on.
While purchasing, don’t miss the prospect to discover varied meals cubicles. One favourite is the cannoli sales space, which provides scrumptious, freshly made cannolis. Besides meals, you could find cubicles promoting handmade crafts and clothes.
Top Spots on the Farmers Market:
- Fresh produce
- Flowers and vegetation
- Baked items
- Cannoli sales space
Unique Gifts and Handmade Goods
If you might be in search of memorable presents and handmade items, Oceanside has loads to supply. Kids can discover souvenirs for a lot of tastes, whether or not they’re into keychains or beach-themed treasures.
SeaHive Marketplace’s 13,000 sq ft house is an ideal place to peruse for classic finds. The Ozone has a vibrant house with cured gadgets so every member of the family can discover one thing charming.
Transport and Accommodation Tips
Traveling round Oceanside with children may be enjoyable and straightforward if you recognize your choices. Whether you favor trains, bikes, or a comfortable place to remain, Oceanside has you coated.
Getting Around O’Side: Trains and Bikes
Getting round Oceanside is a breeze. The COASTER practice is a handy technique to journey up and down the coast. Kids will love the scenic ocean views from the practice. If you or the youngsters get automobile sick, be certain that to face ahead!
For shorter distances, take into account renting bikes. This is a terrific possibility if you wish to keep close to the coast, take within the ocean views by bike (and get somewhat train). Oceanside has many bike rental retailers, and it’s a bike-friendly metropolis. If you favor, there are additionally electrical bikes accessible that may make the trip even simpler. You may also discover free or paid parking do you have to drive together with your automobile or a rental.
Staying in Oceanside: From Airbnbs to Resorts
Oceanside provides a variety of locations to remain. For a bit extra luxurious, take a look at The Seabird Resort. We e-book this lots for households due to its beachfront location, informal nature, nicer rooms, glorious service, and the perks we have now there at no additional value.
On the extra wallet-friendly aspect, Holiday Inn Oceanside Camp Pendleton Area has a Kids Stay and Eat Free coverage. Kids beneath 18 keep without cost and youngsters beneath 12 can eat free with a paid grownup meal.
Whether you select a comfortable rental or an expensive resort, Oceanside has one thing to suit your household’s wants. Make positive to e-book early, particularly throughout peak trip seasons.
See additionally: Best Family Hotels in San Diego