Oceanside Beach Activities

San Diego County

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

Oceanside Beach Activities

San Diego County


Oceanside Beach Surfing

Surfers find good surfing at a number of spots along Oceanside's 3½ miles of beach. One of the most popular spots is at Harbor Beach where the jetties produce a reliable break. Another great location is on either side of the pier (being mindful of the 100-foot no watersports zone on either side of the pier). It's an area that can get crowded in the summer.

Generally, swells from the west-southwest and the northwest produce some of the best waves.

Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.


Surfing Competitions at Oceanside Beach


Surfing Lessons and Camps

SoCal Surf School

Surf camps for beginners as young as 6 up through more experienced surfers. SoCal Surf School offers mini-camps, drop-in camps, and the traditional week-long camps, as well as private lessons. Camps begin in early June and extend through August. Meet at Harbor Beach. Instructors are CPR/First Aid Certified.
SoCal Surf School

Surf Ride Surf Camps

A weekly surf camp for ages 7 and older. Surf Camp helps children develop self-confidence, a respect for the ocean, and to interact with other campers and instructors, while improving their surfing skills. Children learn basic surfing skills, safety, and information about sea life. All of their instructors are CPR certified. Camp meets at the North Jetty at Harbor Beach. The first session begins in late June and the last ends in mid-August.
Surf Ride Surf Camps

Surfin Fire Surf Camps

Surfin Fire is located at the foot of the Oceanside Pier. They offer daily drop-in surf lessons for all ages. They have both private and group lessons, daily surf clinics and surf camps. Their surf camp teaches beach safety, ocean awareness, and the fundamentals of surfing. Week-long camps begin in early June and continue through August. They maintain a 4 to 1 student to instructor ratio.
Surfin Fire Surf Camps

Surfboard Rentals

Surf Ride Rentals

Surfboards, bodyboards, swim fins, and wetsuits, and stand-up paddleboards.
1909 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA
Surf Ride Rentals

Asylum Surf

Surfboard, bodyboard, wetsuit, and swim fin rentals.
310 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA
Asylum Surf Rentals

UP Sports

Rentals of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, body and skim boards, wetsuits
UP Sports

Oceanside Beach surfers, San Diego County, CA

Oceanside Pier Attractions

Visitors to Oceanside enjoy strolling out the 1,942-foot-long pier for vistas of the surrounding area and a great vantage point to watch the nearby surfers. Nearby wildlife is often spotted from the pier. In the ocean watch for whales, dolphins, seals, and rays. Gulls and pelicans are often perched along the rails. Coin-operated binoculars are available for use. Benches, lights, and fish cleaning stations are also found along the pier.

Halfway out the pier are restrooms and a bait and tackle shop which sells and rents fishing supplies as well as selling snacks and beverages. At the end of the pier is Ruby's Diner, a 1950s style restaurant. The pier is open 24 hours a day.

Fishing on the Pier

Anglers do well all along the pier, landing a variety of fish. Among the catches are California halibut, mackerel, jacksmelt, white croaker, surfperch, guitarfish, corbina, and barracuda. Popular baits are anchovies, bloodworms, cut mackerel, and ghost shrimp. A separate, smaller Fishing Pier is located in the harbor.

Movies on the Pier

During the summer free movies are shown from time to time at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Junior Seau Beach Community Center

Junior Seau Beach Community Center is located below the pier. The facility includes a gym, meeting room, kitchen and stage. A variety of activities and events are held here every year ranging from basketball and volleyball to day camps and teen programs. Also found at the community center is the City of Oceanside Sports Office which coordinates by youth and adult community sports events and programs.

Oceanside Beach stage, San Diego County, CA


Oceanside Junior Lifeguards - 2024

The Oceanside Junior Lifeguard Program develops ocean and beach safety, lifesaving skills, and physical fitness. Participants enjoy beach games, and surfing.

Oceanside Junior Lifeguards is open to individuals ages 9 to 17. Registration opens in April. First-time participants must complete a swim test, offered at various dates in May and June at the Brooks Street Swim Center. The Junior Lifeguard Program has four sessions in 2024. Registration opens on April 1, 2024.

  • Session 1: June 17 - July 11 2024 - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
  • Session 2: June 18 - July 12, 2024 - Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM
  • Session 3: July 15 - August 9, 2024 - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
  • Session 4: July 16 - August 8, 20243 - Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM

Junior Lifeguards meet at Oceanside Harbor Beach.
Oceanside Junior Lifeguard Program


Oceanside Beach, San Diego County, CA

Cycling along The Strand

Cyclers enjoy rolling along The Strand, taking in the sights of the beaches and exploring north into the harbor.

Bicycle Rentals

Fun Wheel Rentals, 300 North The Strand, Oceanside, CA
rentals of all kinds of cycles from beach cruisers to tandems, surreys to kids' bikes. Open every day from 9 AM to sunset.



Oceanside Beach Soccer

May 17-19, 2024
The Beach Soccer Championships to be held at Oceanside's Harbor Beach. The competition will include youth, adult, and professional teams. Beach soccer teams are composed of 5 players.

The tournament is sponsored by Life Thru Sports

Oceanside Parks & Recreation Department Summer Camps

In past years Oceanside's Parks & Recreation Department sponsored a variety of summer camps for local children. Beach related camps included Habitats of the Sea, Surf Camp, drop-in Surf Camp, Co-ed Beach Volleyball, and others. Look for the 2024 Activity Guide.

For all Parks & Recreation Activities, see Recreation Activity Guide

Nearby
Events, Attractions, and Activities

31st Annual Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club Contest and Beach Festival

August 9-11, 2024
Pier View Beach and Amphitheater
6 AM to 9 PM
Surfing competition, beach festival, live music, beer garden
Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club

California Surf Museum

312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA
Open daily 10 AM to 4 PM (8 PM on Thursdays)
Adults $5, children under 12 free
Surfing timeline exhibits, rotating surfing exhibits
California Surf Museum

Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center

2202 S. Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA
Located adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon
Open 6 days a week
trained docents provide guided nature walks and classroom programs.
Buena Vista Audubon Society

Guajome Regional Park

3000 Guajome Lake Rd.
Oceanside, CA
Day use and camping
Playground, basketball, picnics, fishing ponds, trails
Guajome Regional Park

Whale Watching

Helgren's Sportfishing
315 Harbor Dr. South
2-hour whale watching expeditions
Helgren's Whale Watching Tours and Cruises


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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