A short drive from LEGOLAND California, this beachside resort is ideally situated for soaking in SoCal’s sunshine and surfer scene.
Oceanside is a sleepy beach town and last oceanfront San Diego County destination before entering Orange County to the north. Located about an hour from downtown San Diego, Oceanside is undergoing a loving restoration to attract visitors. If you’re seeking a more “chilled” family vacation that’s big on quality time, this gem could be for you.
What to do?
As a parent of two toddler boys, I love spending the day at the beach where the kids can burn off some energy while having fun. My three-year-old plays cat-and-mouse with the waves, while my two-year-old loves to roll in the sand… literally. Luckily, Oceanside provides an abundance of sandy beach with plenty of room for rambunctious boys.
Oceanside Pier Beach offers endless beach play in addition to a beachfront playground. (My sons hit the swings for hours!) Stroll along the long, overwater, wooden pier or rent a 4-person surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals (300 N. The Strand). Cost: $25/hour; other bikes and stand-up paddleboards are also available. There are fire pits for roasting s’mores on the beach in the evening, too.
KidTripster Tip: The path for surrey riding is fairly flat, so it’s not too bad of a pedal for parents. One way brings you along the beach; the other leads you along the rock-bordered ocean. There’s no need to rent the bikes longer than an hour.
KidTripster Tip: If you plan on roasting marshmallows on the beach, you can pick up supplies at the nearby Super Walmart.
For older kids, explore the Buena Vista Lagoon (2312 Carlsbad Boulevard., Carlsbad), a 223-acre wetland and California’s first Ecological Reserve. Look for guided nature hikes and birding walks throughout the year. You also can check out the lagoon’s nature center. It’s a great place for birdwatching and includes an exhibit with displays of migratory and local birds in the area, such as the Great White pelican, Barn owl, Red-shouldered hawk, and Northern flicker.
Or to get in the SoCal spirit, pay a visit to the California Surf Museum (312 Pier View Way). This local attraction chronicles the history of surf-related sports. One of the most popular displays is pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton’s actual shark-bitten surfboard from the attack that took her arm when she was 13. The California Surf Museum is an easy two-block stroll from the Oceanside Pier. Cost: Youth (under 12) Free; Youth (13-17) $3; Adults $5.
LEGOLAND California is a mere 20-minute drive from the heart of Oceanside. The amusement park is perfect for the 10 and under set. For KidTripster’s insider tips to LEGOLAND, click here. If SoCal temperatures have you sweating, cool off at the LEGOLAND Water Park. It’s separate from the main park and requires a separate ticket. There’s a water-based imagination station for little ones and Pirate Reef for action seekers. LEGOLAND cost: Youth (3-12) $92; Adult $98; save $5/ticket by purchasing online in advance. Combo tickets including water park and aquarium cost: Youth (3-12) $116; Adult $122; save $15/ticket by purchasing online in advance.
Where to eat?
The town of Oceanside is transitioning from old to new. Hello Betty Fish House (211 Mission Avenue) is a recent addition. This adorable, beachy restaurant and bar reflects the eclectic character of Oceanside. Plan to do dinner here, as it’s super accommodating to families. My boys loved hanging out in the kid-friendly dune buggy, located in the heart of the restaurant. The food is an updated spin on classic Baja SoCal beachside favorites. Yes, there’s typical kids’ menu fare, but for parents, there are excellent choices for some creative dining (and drinking). My husband gave the jalapeño-infused margarita two thumbs up, while I concentrated on the mahi-mahi tacos.
For pizza lovers, head to Zig Zag Pizza (333 N. Myers Street). Located near the Oceanside Pier, this pizza joint serves personal pizzas in addition to an array of bottled beer and drinks for adults. The staff was very kind and even gave my kids pizza dough to play with while we waited.
For lunch, eat like locals at Swami’s Cafe (202 N. Coast Highway.). The eatery offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, smoothies, and juices. It’s a favorite San Diego chain.
Craving dessert for breakfast? Petite Madeline Bakery (223 N. Coast Highway) is so good! It’s located in downtown Oceanside and offers a delicious array of French cuisine. My husband and I split some crazy waffle-strawberry-ricotta concoction; don’t get your own as it’s super sweet. And my boys devoured their peanut butter cookies.
Where to stay?
Your best bet for accommodations is the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort (333 N. Myers Street). Situated across from the pier with easy beach access and panoramic ocean views, this Oceanside resort is just a few blocks away from the downtown area. The property rents mostly timeshare-type residences, so it’s excellent for families. We enjoyed a two bedroom-two bathroom condo, equipped with a full kitchen, dinner nook, living room, balcony, and washer and dryer. Bonus: the main bathroom had an oversized Jacuzzi tub, which my boys loved! Other popular features include the seventh floor Skyroom library and lounge, game room, and the outdoor pool with hot tub and big ocean views. In the kids’ playroom, you’ll find games and art projects; extra fees can apply. All in all, the resort is incredibly convenient and very well-kept. Packages and promotions start at $199/night.
KidTripster Tip: While this resort is pristine, it doesn’t offer daily housekeeping, so keep your room nice and tidy. You can request more towels and linens, but you’ll have to make up the bed yourself.
Getting there
You can fly into the San Diego Airport or Orange County Airport and then rent a car. The drive from downtown San Diego is about one hour; it’s roughly 90 minutes from Los Angeles, depending on traffic.
Nadine Bubeck is a TV personality, fashion designer, author, blogger, and Scottsdale, Arizona-based mom of two young boys
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