The Unique City of Oceanside
Warm temperatures and cool marine breezes typify the climate of North County´s largest city, Oceanside, with an average annual high of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and an average annual low of 51 degrees. Oceanside sits at the north end of San Diego County, just south of Camp Pendleton, and is ideally located between the city of San Diego, the metropolis of Los Angeles and the tourist attractions of Orange County. While Oceanside is primarily known for its seaside ambience and an easygoing lifestyle, it also enjoys a rich historical background, booming economy growth and a variety of recreational activities that residents and visitors alike can enjoy.

Water, Water Everywhere
It´s easy to see why Oceanside came about its name; its reputation for seaside activities is widely known. Oceanside is home to the longest pier on the West Coast and maintains a 1,000 slip marina, the only public small craft harbor between Dana Point and Mission Bay in San Diego. A host of recreational activities abound in Oceanside´s pier and harbor area; including pier fishing, deep sea and whale watching excursions, boating, jet skiing and sea kayaking. For those wishing to pursue more land-oriented activities, unique restaurants and shops line the harbor. In addition to its harbor attractions, Oceanside has 3.5 miles of some of the longest and widest beaches in San Diego County; perfect for surfing, playing, walking and sunbathing. Oceanside wants all of its residents and visitors to be able to enjoy its greatest resource; Harbor Beach provides "sand wheelchairs" for the disabled. A premier surfing mecca, Oceanside hosts national surfing competitions throughout the spring, summer and early fall.

Playing Hard
Though it has many water related activities, Oceanside has many other community amenities. Clearly the city places recreation in high regard; there are thirty community parks, three public golf courses, two public swimming pools, a senior center (with another one currently being built),four community centers, a skate park and even a dog park! Nature lovers can enjoy the bird watching and walking trails at Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center. Guajome Park offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping, horseback riding, hiking trails, and bird watching. Bike-riders take pleasure in the San Luis Rey Bike Trail, beginning at College Blvd., winding 7 miles along the San Luis Rey River, and ending at the Pacific Ocean. Indoor fun can be found at the Family Billiard Center, the Surf Bowl Bowling Alley, and Regal Cinema´s 16 screen movie theater. Don´t forget to visit the Oceanside Farmers Market and browse the fresh produce, flowers, and arts and crafts! Take in the culture at the Oceanside Museum of Art, the new Oceanside Public Library, and the California Surf Museum, dedicated to preserving the history and culture of California´s surf heritage.

Working Hard
Oceanside plays hard and works hard as well. The city´s economy is diverse and has a number of business advantages. To encourage new investment there are incentive plans for new commercial, industrial and office construction. In addition, Oceanside businesses enjoy having one of the lowest property taxes in San Diego County! Oceanside´s diverse economic portfolio includes a large sporting and recreational goods manufacturing sector and broad representation of biotech and medtech companies. Agriculture is also important to Oceanside's economy as it is to other North County cities. San Diego County is a major agricultural producer and Oceanside´s climate is ideal for growing vegetables, avocados, citrus, and flowers.

A Rich Historical Past
Oceanside is a city that builds on its past while focusing on the future. Oceanside´s proud history has been influenced by many cultures and ethnic groups. Native Americans lived in what is now the Oceanside area circa 12000 B.C.; they still maintain the Kumeyaay Nation today. The Spanish left their mark on California and nowhere is it more evident than in Oceanside. The largest of all the California Missions, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was founded in 1798 and is run today by the Franciscan Friars of California. Known as "The King of the Missions," San Luis Rey offers guided and self-guided tours of its buildings and grounds, daily mass, a retreat center, and a museum and gift shop. The Mission also hosts community and private events including weddings. A diverse population of people representing many ethnic groups calls Oceanside their home, giving the city a treasured cultural diversity often expressed in Oceanside´s many historical, cultural and community celebrations.

Semper Fidelis
No description of Oceanside would be complete without mentioning Camp Pendleton, Oceanside´s military neighbor to the north. Camp Pendleton is the Marine Corps´ largest amphibious base and encompasses more than 125,000 acres of mostly uninhabited and untouched land. Originally a Mexican land grant, today Camp Pendleton gives us a rare glimpse of the coastal desert landscape that used to stretch from Baja Mexico to Northern California before the West Coast was settled and built-up. Camp Pendleton is committed to protecting its natural resources; it is home to many endangered and protected species and coastal wetlands. Camp Pendleton brings diversity to Oceanside with its personnel and dependants from every state and region in the country and from nations around the world. Oceanside greatly benefits from its northerly neighbor that generates tourism in its own right and pumps money into the local economy.

Affordable Coastal Living
Housing prices in Oceanside have the distinction of being some of the most affordable of all the coastal cities in San Diego County. Prices range from $229,900 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo to 5.57 million for a custom-built oceanfront home. In comparison, prices in La Jolla range from $325,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo to 24 million dollars for a custom-built oceanfront home. Contact Mark Hoadley to learn more about buying or selling a home in Oceanside. Mark has been an Oceanside resident for 16 years and is a local expert in Oceanside and North County Real Estate.

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