Ocean Beach is an Eclectic & Casual Beach Town

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Ocean Beach is the authentic beach town. Palm trees line the streets of this historical Southern California community. It’s kissed by the sun, romanced by the Pacific Ocean and has a personality all its own.

A good reason for discovering Ocean Beach is its casual, small-town charm with its diagonally parked cars along the main street of Newport Avenue. This centrally located three-block-long shopping district has much to offer-and has no parking meters!

Ocean Beach has a lot to offer. If shopping is your way to relax, take a walk down Newport Avenue and browse through one unique shop after another offering jewelry, surfboards, shells, beads, boutiques, unusual resale treasures and one of the largest antique zones in Southern California. And the majority of merchants are residents, so expect to receive a friendly smile and good old-fashioned service.

Things To Do in Ocean Beach

Hungry for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Ocean Beach delivers whether it’s a first class meal with an ocean view or a simple bite to eat.

The streets of Ocean Beach are also dotted with friendly pubs. They are ideal for catching the sunset from a deck, watching your favorite sporting event or celebrating with a friend over a house specialty. You’ll definitely feel like a native at one of these relaxed, friendly establishments. Most of these places are in the third block of downtown Ocean Beach, which is nearest to the ocean.

If it's action you want, swim or surf in Ocean Beach's big blue backyard. Ocean Beach is proud of its beautiful main beach, which is patrolled year-round by San Diego City Lifeguards. Plus, there are designated areas along the beach specifically designated for swimmers and for surfing.

If you want to buy a surfboard, there are several shops near the beach including South Coast Surf Shop (6) at 5023 Newport Ave. (619-223-7017).

You can also find a good selection of Hawaiian shirts and swimsuits here too. You can also stroll the 1,971-foot landmark Ocean Beach Pier (4), which is the longest concrete fishing pier on the West Coast. There is a bait-and-tackle shop here where you can rent a pole, get a license, bait, tackle, net and expert advice. Then you can dangle a fishing line and catch some fish while enjoying the ocean air and great coastal views.

While on the pier have a bite to eat at the Walk on Water Cafe (4). Plus, at low tide you can spend literally hours just discovering the many tide pools south of the pier. For low and high tide information, call (619-221-8824).

You can also rent a bike or a pair of rollerblades, jog or just enjoy walking on the miles of sandy beaches. End a perfect day by watching the sun melt into the horizon from beautiful Sunset Cliffs near Hill Street.

Tennis, soccer and baseball enthusitasts will be happy to discover Robb Field (1) (619-531-1563), an expansive recreation center. It comes complete with a weight room and fitness center. This all-purpose athletic park also boasts Robb Field Skate Park (1) with 40,000 square feet of curves, bowls, jumps and rails. Admission is free. Robb Field is where I- 8 ends and Ocean Beach begins.

     

Ocean Beach Pier

Ocean Beach Farmer's Market

Dog Beach

Visit Dog Beach in Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach also has a quarter mile of beach dedicated to your furry fourlegged friends. It's the world famous Dog Beach (3), where you can bring your canine companion for a walk on the beach with or without a leash. It's located next to the jetty at the foot of the San Diego river.

In addition to Dog Beach, Ocean Beach abounds with pet-friendly hotels, dog washes and even restaurants with special canine menus. Enjoy lunch on the patio with a selection from the Fido Menu at Shades Oceanfront Bistro at 5083 Santa Monica Ave. (619-222-0501), then pamper your pooch with a signature treatment at the World Famous Dog Wash located at 4893 Voltaire St. (619-225-1000). For pet-friendly accommodations, look no further than the beachfront Ocean Beach Hotel at 5080 Newport Ave. (619-223-7191).

     




The Ocean Beach Farmers' Market

Every Wednesday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and until 8 p.m. during the summer and spring, is Farmers Market Day (8) in the 4900 block of Newport Avenue. Pick up sunflowers and sample olives, exotic fruit, vegetables, breads, pasta or wonderful desserts at this award-winning certified farmers market. Where else can you ride a llama, listen to live street entertainment, enjoy a fresh crêpe or have your child's birthday party? No matter what the season, the Farmer's Market is a delight for the senses.

     

Great Crowds

Fresh Food

Near the Ocean

The Ocean Beach Shopping District Walking Tour

Newport Avenue is also home to more than 200 antique dealers (9), which comprise more than 35,000 square feet of space, making Ocean Beach the largest antique district in San Diego County. Simply park your car along Newport Avenue and start browsing. Most stores are open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily and all accept credit cards. For more information about the stores on the avenue, visit antiquesinsandiego.com.

Your first discovery should be Vignettes at 4828 Newport Ave. (619- 222-9244). Uniquely displayed French inspired home decor and antiques are showcased here. A few doors away is Newport Avenue Antiques at 4836 Newport Ave. (619-224-1994), which is a treasure trove of antique delights.

Your next discovery should be Newport Avenue Antique Center and Coffee House at 4864 Newport Ave. (619-222-8686). It encompasses 18,000 square feet with 125 dealers. Here you will find a wonderful mixture of antiques and collectibles.

Farther down the street is the Ocean Beach Antique Mall at 4926 Newport Ave. (619-223-6170). Here you'll find beautiful clocks, sports memorabilia, pottery, vintage jewelry and more.

     

Vignettes

Ocean Beach Antique Mall

Newport Avenue Antique Center


Popular Ocean Beach Restaurants

Ocean Beach is home to American, Chinese, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Japanese and Mexican restaurants. Many have ocean views and romantic sunsets.

A landmark restaurant celebrating 50 years in business is Nati's Mexican Restaurant (11) (619-224-3369). It's located just off Newport Avenue at the corner of Bacon Street and Niagara Avenue. They have a huge parking lot with free parking for customers. They serve traditional Mexican meals in a warm and friendly atmosphere. You can also dine outside on their festive patio, accented with colorful flowers. This is one restaurant that you will enjoy discovering.

Across the street is another restaurant of equal billing. It's Poma's Italian Deli (12) at 1846 Bacon St. (619-223-3027). For 46 years, owner Leonard Poma has been serving the best subs and homemade Italian specialties you've ever tasted.

Discover The 3rd. Corner Wine Shop & Bistro (13) at 2265 Bacon St. (619-223-2700). They have over one thousand wines to choose from.

Adding to the laid-back atmosphere of Ocean Beach is Pizza Port (14) at 1956 Bacon St. (619-224-4700). It's a popular microbrewery and pizza joint.

Another local favorite is actually out at the end of the Ocean Beach Pier. It's a casual restaurant called the W.O.W. or Walk on Water (4) (619-226-3474). Enjoy their famous fish and chips, nachos supreme or lobster tacos. They are open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the summer.

Here too is Hodad's (5) at 5010 Newport Ave. (619-224-4623). They claim to have the world's best burgers. They're also proud to announce that they have served under 99 gazillion. Yes, you'll find plenty to do on Newport Avenue.

     
O.B. Pier Cafe
Ocean Beach Pier Cafe
Nati’s Mexican Restaurant
Nati's Mexican Restaurant
Kauserhof
Hodads

Where to Stay in Ocean Beach

The Inn at Sunset Cliffs is located in historical Point Loma, California. They are one of only a few San Diego hotels truly located on the Pacific Ocean, just steps away from Ocean Beach. The Inn at Sunset Cliffs is truly one of the only San Diego beach hotels that is actually a waterfront hotel. Oceanfront suites with the sea breeze just outside your door.

Sunset Cliffs creates scenic atmospheres all year long, with million-dollar views everyday. San Diego Beaches are near, being just a few blocks away from the hotel. Experience the great San Diego surfing with an awesome location to scope where to ride for your session just a few steps away from your room. Wake up to the sounds of the waves crashing onto our property. Look out at the Pacific Ocean to see the beauty San Diego has to offer. When you feel like relaxing, their two ocean view terraces allow you to view out over the horizon of the Pacific Ocean. Kick your feet up and let the wave take you away.

     
O.B. Pier Cafe
Nati’s Mexican Restaurant
Kauserhof

2013Ocean Beach Calendar of Events

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Living in Ocean Beach
If you are interested in living in Ocean Beach, call Stephanie Jezek at (858-243-3495), she knows Ocean Beach and Point Loma. As a real estate agent in San Diego working with Marc Carpenter, the Largest Bank Owned, Realtor in San Diego County, she also has access to over 180 bank owned foreclosure listings and pre-listings that haven’t even hit the market yet.

A visit to this Southern California beach town with its palm tree-lined streets, brilliant sunsets, ocean views and laid-back atmosphere may very well make you wish you lived here. It's all waiting for you in Ocean Beach.



Ocean Beach Recommended Dining

Ocean Beach Stores