Oceanside Beach

San Diego County

Oceanside  Beach, San Diego County, California
Oceanside  Beach, San Diego County, California

Oceanside Beach

San Diego County


Oceanside Beach

Oceanside Beach stretches along the coast from the Oceanside Marina south to Buena Vista Lagoon. The full length of sand is divided into seven named beaches shown on the map below. Oceanside Pier serves as a focal point for beach events.

The beaches are popular for sun bathing, surfing, swimming, fishing, and a variety of other waterside activities. Many of the visitors to Oceanside Beach are Marines from neighboring Camp Pendleton and their families. Others travel from farther afield to Oceanside, seeking the friendly atmosphere of the town and the less crowded beaches.



Oceanside Beach map,  San Diego County, CA

Oceanside Beaches

North to South

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach is known for its wide swath of sand and good surfing. Among the facilities at the beach are adjacent parking lots, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts (sans nets), a picnic area, a children's playground, and lifeguards. Fishing is good from the jetties. Designated areas keep swimmers and surfers from colliding.

For parking maps and parking information at Harbor Beach and other Oceanside beaches, see Oceanside Parking Map

Breakwater Way Beach

Breakwater Way Beach is located at the mouth of the San Luis Rey River. the beach is a favorite for those seeking a little quieter spot for sun bathing and a family day on the sand. Bring your own volleyball net and tie it up to the supplies posts or enjoy a BBQ in the picnic area. Restrooms, showers, lifeguards, and nearby parking are among the amenities.

For parking maps and parking information for Breakwater Way Beach, see Oceanside Parking Map

Pier View North Beach

Pier View North Beach spreads between the pier and Breakwater Way Beach. Fronted by a residential area, it usually as not as crowded as the area south of the pier. Separate surfing and swimming areas are marked. Parking is nearby. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and a picnic area. As at the other beaches, you must supply your own net for the volleyball courts. Nearby is the Oceanside Community Recreation Center.

For parking maps and parking information for Pier View North Beach, see Oceanside Parking Map

Oceanside Beach, San Diego County, CA

Pier View South Beach

Pier View South Beach extends south of the pier. It is the most popular of Oceanside's beaches. Next to the pier is the Oceanside Pier Plaza Amphitheatre. Swimmers and surfers are separated into their designated areas. The picnic area features covered tables and adjacent grills. Fire rings are located on the sand. A children's playground is a favorite with youngsters. Facilities include restrooms, showers, nearby parking lots, volleyball courts (sans nets), and lifeguards.

For parking maps and parking information for Pier View South Beach and other Oceanside beaches, see Oceanside Parking Map

Oceanside Beach playground, San Diego County, CA

Tyson Street Beach

Tyson Street Beach is adjacent to Tyson Street Park, both just south of Pier View South. Swimming and wading are allowed along this rocky beach, but not surfing. Close at hand, visitors will find restrooms, showers, a picnic area, a playground, and lifeguards.

For parking maps and parking information for Tyson Street Beach, see Oceanside Parking Map


Wisconsin Street Beach

Wisconsin Street Beach's narrow stretch of sand is washed over during high tides. The beach is open for swimming and surfing. Nearby facilities include restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. A small parking lot is located immediately across The Strand.

For parking maps and parking information for Wisconsin Street Beach, see Oceanside Parking Map

Oceanside Boulevard Beach

At the foot of Oceanside Boulevard, the beach is popular with local residents. Restrooms are not available here. Residential homes front the beach, separated from the sand by a rock embankment. Find parking along nearby streets.

Buccaneer Beach

Buccaneer Beach is toward the southern end of Oceanside, next to Loma Alta Marsh and Buccaneer Park. Buccaneer is usually less crowded than many of the beaches to the north. An area marked by flags is set aside for swimmers and bodyboarders during the busy summer months. At nearby Buccaneer Park visitors enjoy picnic areas, playground equipment, and basketball. Facilities at the park include restrooms, showers, and a snack bar. Lifeguards staff Tower 11. Parking is free at the park.


Oceanside Beach, San Diego County, CA

Oceanside Pier

One of the most popular destinations for beach visitors is Oceanside Pier. Stretching 1,942 feet into the Pacific, the pier is one of the longest in California. Its heavy plank surface gives it an old-fashion feel.

Along the length of the pier are coin-operated binoculars, shops and a restaurant, and plenty of room for fishing. Read more about the pier at our Oceanside Beach Activities page.

Pier Rules

  1. No overhead casting
  2. No diving or jumping from pier, no sitting on railing
  3. Not allowed on the pier: bicycles, skating, pets, alcohol, or glass containers
  4. Those in the water must stay 100 feet away from the pier.
Oceanside Pier, San Diego County, CA


Campfires on the Beaches

Fires are only permitted in designated fire rings between the hours of 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM. Firewood should be no longer than 30 inches and not stand more than two feet above the height of the fire ring. Fires must be attended at all times.>When you are finished with your fire, extinguish embers with water only (not sand).

Fire pits are first-come, first served. You cannot reserve a fire pit by placing a possession such as a beach chair next to it.

Raised barbeques are allowed. Please dispose of the coals in one of the hot-coal containers found at Tyson Street Park, Harbor Lot 12 at Harbor Beach, across from the pier, or in a fire ring.

Ride the Coaster to the Beach

The Coaster commuter train runs along the Pacific coast in San Diego County, with stops at 8 stations between San Diego and Oceanside. Every weekday more than 20 trains make the scenic journey, with more trains on weekends. The entire Coaster route only takes about an hour.

Station Stops

  • Santa Fe Depot - San Diego
  • Old Town - San Diego
  • Sorrento Valley - San Diego
  • Solana Beach
  • Encinitas
  • Carlsbad Poinsettia
  • Carlsbad Village
  • Oceanside Transit Station - 195 S. Tremont St.

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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety