About
The city of Oceanside nestles snugly against Camp Pendleton’s southern border and occupies 3.5 miles of glorious Southern California coastline. This sleepy beach town turned Marine Corps hub is part of the Tri-City area, along with Vista and Carlsbad. Thanks to the coastal breezes, the climate is cooler in Oceanside than in inland areas like Vista.
Oceanside was once a day-trip destination for the nearby families of Rancho Margarita and Las Flores looking to escape to cooler temperatures. The California Southern Railroad was completed in 1882 and made the beaches of Southern California and San Diego County accessible to the masses. With the arrival of the railroad, and later the highways, development and a surge in population soon followed. Oceanside was officially incorporated in 1888 but saw its largest boom during World War II. The population almost tripled from 1940 to 1950, primarily due to the establishment of the country’s largest Marine Corps base, Camp Pendleton, on the rancho lands directly north of Oceanside.
The Oceanside Pier is a community treasure and a venue for year-round events, a weekly farmer’s market, and even international surf competitions. There is a vibrant downtown beach village that serves as a playground for Marines and tourists alike. Quirky shops, independent restaurants, craft breweries, gastropubs, and even a Surf Museum that pays homage to the region’s most renowned sport are all here. If commuting to either Orange County or San Diego, Oceanside is far enough north to be considered for a home. The COASTER Commuter Train conveniently stops in “O’side” and runs south throughout San Diego County.
Neighbors
Oceanside has a little bit of everything. As an immediate neighbor to Camp Pendleton, the city is home to a sizeable number of Marines and their families. Oceanside is also home to a large Hispanic population which richly influences the food and music scene. Infuse that with the retro, creative edge of the locals, and you’ve got a great mix of artistic and vibrant cultures. Don’t be shocked by the vivid ink rocked by a soccer mom, or the young professional in flip-flops. You’ll find a mix of new and long-time residents in most neighborhoods. Young families and singles love Oceanside for the affordable housing options—for a beach town, that is. The Southern California weather leaves no room for excuses not to be outside, so most Oceanside residents are very active.
Neighborhood Feel
Smaller ranch homes are standard and date back to the 1970s with some from the 2000s. You will be hard-pressed to find a home larger than two or three bedrooms, as is the norm for most of California. Drought conditions and water restrictions make lush green yards impossible, but people get creative with rocks, coastal shrubs, and succulents. There are several family friendly suburbs, and we highlight them below. We recommend researching crime statistics and area schools before you rent or buy a home. There are some fantastic homes on the ocean side (west) of Interstate 5, but most of the traditional suburban neighborhoods are farther inland (closer to Bonsall).
