Oceanside Welcome Center

Breathtaking Views make the Pier a “must see” attraction.

Oceanside Welcome Center assists visitors from all over the country and from all around the world. With just one stop, visitors can find: local, regional & state maps, visitor guides, purchase discount tickets to major, attractions, make hotel reservations and shop for the perfect souvenir.

They receive more than 100,000 visitors each year, and are run by a fantastic group of volunteers who generously donate their time in order to keep the Welcome Center open 7 days a week. Their volunteers are very enthusiastic and eager to provide helpful information!

The Center is conveniently located just off I-5 at the Coast Highway exit. Look for signs with a traveling bear logo on I-5. This is one of only 11 state approved welcome centers. Here you’ll find clean restrooms, maps and travel information on California and the regional area. Just ask and they will send you a free visitors’ guide. The center is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., except for major holidays. The California Welcome Center is worth a visit.

San Diego’s North Shore, Oceanside is a classic California beach community with its warm sandy beaches, historic wooden pier and Cape Cod-style harbor village complete with unlimited water sports and recreation. Offering a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle, visitors still experience the casual spirit that made Southern California’s beach culture legendary.

As the gateway to San Diego, Oceanside is also centrally located to visit Southern California’s famous attractions including LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld, Disneyland, and the World-Famous San Diego Zoo.

With its year round sunny climate, and average temperature of 70 degrees, Oceanside’s weather has been rated by USA Today as the second most ideal climate in the United States, and the fifth most ideal weather in the world. Without a doubt Oceanside’s most memorable attraction is the Oceanside Pier and it’s miles of beautiful beaches which are an invitation to explore.

The pier is a stretches out into the ocean at 1,942 feet. This historical Oceanside Pier is one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast. Take a leisurely stroll out over the Pacific Ocean, watch the surfers ride a wave, fishermen catch a fish or grab a bite to eat at the famous Ruby’s Diner located at the end of the pier.

At the entrance of the Pier is the Amphitheater which hosts many musical and cultural performances.

Enjoy the Oceanside Waterfront

Hard to overlook are the miles of beautiful beaches in Oceaside. Each one has a special charm all its own.
Buccaneer Beach
Buccaneer Beach is Oceanside’s smallest beach with a lifeguard tower (Tower 11); however, the beach offers other activities due to the park located across the street. Buccaneer Beach is located approximately one mile north of our city’s southern border. During the summer months, the water directly in front of the lifeguard tower and between the rocks that border the neighboring homes is designated for swimmers, waders and body boarders only.
Oceanside Boulevard Beach
Oceanside Boulevard offers more actual beach area than its neighbor, Buccaneer Beach. All along the beachfront, there are private homes facing the ocean. During the summer months there is an area directly in front of the lifeguard tower (Tower 9), approximately 200 ft., that is designated for swimmers, waders and body boarders only. For safety precautions, this area is closed to surfing and will be marked by checkered flags and swim-surf signs. There is a very large rock that sits in the surfline approximately 300 feet south of the lifeguard tower and can be seen at low tide.
The Wisconsin Street Beach
Wisconsin Street beach is located at Wisconsin Street and The Strand. The south strand is a one-way, southbound street that parallels the beach. There is a ramp just north of the lifeguard Tower 7 for access to the beach. This is Oceanside’s least frequented beach due to the beach being narrow. When the tide is high, the water often comes all the way up to the rocks, leaving very little or no beach at all. The ocean in this area is open to all water activities.
Tyson Street Beach and Park
Tyson Street beach, also known as Tyson Street Park, is within walking distance of the Oceanside Pier. Lifeguard Tower 5 is located here. Since the park is just a few feet from the beach, it is great for picnics. Stairs are provided for beach and park access from Pacific Street. Due to crowds in this area during the summer months, it is necessary to prohibit surfing here for the safety of swimmers and waders. The area will be marked with a black ball flag, checkered flags and swim-surf signs.Pier View South
The beach area south of the Oceanside Pier is Oceanside’s most popular beach. If you don’t mind crowds, you will be comfortable here. Surfing, body boarding and body surfing contests are held at the Oceanside Pier throughout the summer. There are also various events that are held in the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. The pier itself is a beautiful walk and a popular fishing spot as well. Due to the number of beachgoers in this area, there are two lifeguard towers relatively close together. Lifeguard Tower 1 sits directly south of the pier and Tower 3 sits approximately 300 feet south of Tower 1.
Pier View North
The beaches north of the Oceanside Pier have much more sand than those south of the pier and provide more space for those visiting the beach. Due to the Pier Amphitheater being situated on the south side of the pier, there are fewer activities and events that occur on the north side and the pier. This often makes for a quiet, more relaxed atmosphere. There are two lifeguard towers north of the pier (Towers 2 and 4). During the summer months, an area is closed to surfing (blackballed) but open for all other water activities. The surfing and swimming area will always be marked with checkered flags and swim-surf signs.

Breakwater Way
This is a quiet, family beach located just south of Oceanside Harbor. It is popular with surfers and volleyball players. Surfers, however, will have to walk down to the jetty in the summer months when the beach is closed to surfing in front of Lifguard Tower 8. The river jetty is where the San Luis Rey River meets the ocean. A sandbar is often formed here and creates a good surf break. The area at the river mouth is usually one of Oceanside’s least populated beaches. This is partly because it is open for surfing only, and because it’s a bit of a walk from the parking areas. Children often like to play in the river mouth; this is not advised because it poses a safety concern due to the strong currents and the potential for high levels of bacteria in the river.

Harbor Beach
Beautiful Harbor Beach is Oceanside’s largest beach, offering everything from surfing to volleyball. The Oceanside Harbor, adjacent to Harbor Beach, has many amenities including the Marina Inn Hotel and a variety of shops. In the harbor, you can sail, spend the day on a deep-sea fishing boat, whale watch, rent kayaks or visit the marina. Fishing is an option from the jetties. Harbor Beach has three lifeguard towers, Towers 12, 14, 16. Tower 12, at the south end of Harbor Beach, is nearest the south jetty; Tower 14 is situated in the middle of the beach, and Tower 16, at the north end of Harbor Beach, is nearest the north jetty. Harbor Beach is a beautiful venue that has something to offer everyone.