Oceanside Pier, Pier View North & Pier View South Beaches

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From the pier in Oceanside you can access both the Pier View North & South Beaches.
Oceanside Beach and Pier offers some of the best surfing and beaches along the California coast. The historic wooden pier features great views of the Ocean.
Todd Sarouhan
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Why you'll love this beach
Why you'll love this beach
Surf the Waves, Stroll the Pier or View the Wildlife at Oceanside Pier, Pier View North & Pier View South Beaches
Oceanside Pier & Pier View Beaches
Overview
Things to Do
Bundle & Save
Popular Activities
Get There & Parking
Featured Activity
Know Before You Go
Stay Nearby
Similar Beaches

Highlights

Things to Do
Tips
How to get there
Parking
Things to Do
Tips
How to get there
Parking

Overview

Great Surf at Pier View North BeachOceanside Pier

Oceanside beaches are considered some of the best surfing beaches on California’s coast. This 4-mile stretch of beaches is a great place to see pelicans, dolphins and seals. The Amphitheater at the entrance of the Pier hosts many special events. The beaches are staffed with lifeguards all year long.

Oceanside is located as the northernmost city in North County of San Diego and relatively close to Orange County, making it the perfect location to explore Southern California. The U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton borders the city to the north.

Things to Do

Bikes Allowed
Bikes Allowed
Fishing
Fishing
Kayaking
Kayaking
Paddle Boarding
Paddle Boarding
Running
Running
Sunbathing
Sunbathing
Surfing
Surfing
Swimming
Swimming

Historic Boardwalk and Great Surfing

Pier View South Beach

Pier View South Beach is a popular beach just south of the pier. It features covered picnic tables, benches, barbecues and fire rings. You’ll also find restrooms and showers. This beach holds many surfing contests in the summer. This beach has a party atmosphere with two lifeguard towers to protect surfers and swimmers all year long.

Pier View North Beach

Pier View North Beach has a quieter atmosphere than the South Beach. There is generally more space to spread out on the beautiful sand. This beach also has two lifeguard towers manned through the year. You’ll find volleyball courts but bring your own net and ball.

Oceanside Pier

Oceanside Pier is most known for its wooden pier that stretches more than a third of a mile into the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great place to spot wildlife. Bring a few coins to use the binoculars along the edge of the pier. You can also fish off the pier for halibut, barracuda and mackerel.

At the end of the pier, you can grab a bite to eat at the famous Ruby’s Diner. Sunset is a popular time to walk the pier to watch the sun go down. No water activity is permitted within 100 feet of the pier. As a City Ordinance, this is strictly enforced for safety reasons.

Local Tips
Did you know?
The first version of the pier in Oceanside was built in the late 1880's.

Surfing

The Oceanside beaches have great surfing south and northwest swells all year long. The community is home to many professional surfers due to its consistent surfing conditions.

In the summer months, beginners and advanced surfers will be able take advantage of lessons offered by surf shops. During the winter, Oceanside features overhead waves that are much higher than the height of an average man.

Surfers should be aware of currents, because some can get strong and sweep you through the pier.

Other Activities

Other popular activities in the area include bodyboarding, paddle boarding and kayaking. Equipment for these sports can be rented at one of the local shops. You can also rent wetsuits and swim fins, which are recommended for safer swimming. Bicycle rentals are also an option and a very popular way to explore the beach.

Stay Nearby

The Fin Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is the perfect place to stay while visiting Oceanside. This boutique hotel is right in the middle of the neighborhood’s top restaurants, bars and shops. The beach is also within walking distance.

Safari Park+Zoo = Go Pass

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Visit this 1,800 acre park featuring over 3,000 animals in their natural habitats as you ride the African tram! Buy an All-Inclusive Go Pass and admission to the San Diego Zoo is included!
Buy Now
Local Tips
What kind of deals does the Go City San Diego pass offer?

The Go City San Diego pass gives visitors the ability to save up to 55% on attraction admissions.

Combine our exclusive 5% discount to save even more and consider the All-Inclusive pass to maximize your savings. Plus the pass gives you the ability to skip the line when visiting select attractions.

Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

How to Get There & Parking

Neighborhood Parking
Neighborhood Parking
Street Parking
Street Parking

Getting to the Oceanside Pier Area

Oceanside can be accessed by three major airports, each within less than 100 miles. The San Diego International Airport is 40 miles south of Oceanside. The John Wayne Airport, Orange County is 50 miles north. Oceanside is also easily accessible through both the Los Angeles International Airport. Oceanside Municipal Airport has fuel services for smaller private planes and is just three miles from downtown Oceanside.

From the I-5 freeway head west on Mission Ave. Take a right on North Pacific St. to the Oceanside Pier. Keep going north on Pacific Street to go to the Harbor.

South takes you toward Buccaneer Beach. It can be better to find a parking spot a few blocks away and walk to the beach instead of getting caught in slow-moving traffic closer to the beach.

The Oceanside Transit Center has transportation options from NCTD, Coaster, Sprinter, Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and the Metrolink. Once you get to the Transit Center, you can find local transit options to get to the beach.

Parking Near the Oceanside Pier Area

There’s a mix of parking in the area. Free parking is limited close to the beach, but you’ll find more parking on residential streets and towards the train. Paid parking is also available. Check the signs to make sure you understand the time limits and rules. Private parking for slip holders at the marina is also available.

Featured Activity

Front of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum provides history of aircraft built in California. The museum includes over 60 exhibits with restored aircraft and tours of the carrier.
Learn More

Know Before You Go & Tips

Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Firepits
Firepits
Lifeguards
Lifeguards
No Alcohol
No Alcohol
No Camping
No Camping
No Glass Containers
No Glass Containers
No Motorized Vehicles
No Motorized Vehicles
No Smoking
No Smoking
Pier
Pier
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Shade
Shade

What to Know

Hours

The beaches are open 24 hours a day. You’ll find people there just about any time of the day, surfing, fishing or just enjoying nature.

Fishing

Fishing off the pier takes a different approach than fishing in a lake. Choose a shorter rod with a spinning reel. Equipment is available to rent at many places along the beach. Ask about bait and tackle to be more successful. You won’t need a license to fish off the Pier, but if you plan on fishing anywhere else, anyone 16 years old and over will be required to purchase a fishing license. Kids under 16 can fish anywhere without a fishing license.

Rain

Oceanside only gets precipitation on average about 38 days a year. If it rains while you’re in the area, there are plenty of museums and local attractions to enjoy while you wait for the sun to come back.

Beach Safety

Make sure to familiarize yourself with beach safety conditions, such as rip currents and flags. A checkered flag indicates a boundary separating the surf area and swim area. A red flag means there is no swimming in that area, possibly due to a rip current. A black balled flag means no surfing in the area. The safety precautions are strictly enforced.

Know how to get out of a rip current, which is a strong current that moves water away from the shore. It occurs near beaches. A rip current can pull even the strongest swimmers under the water. If you get caught in a rip current, try to stay calm. Tread water or swim parallel to the shore until you are no longer in the current. Call for help if you can’t make it out of the current.

Oceanside Pier, Pier View North & Pier View South Beaches
is Known For:
Surfing
Surfing
Know This:
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Fire Pits
Fire Pits
Lifeguards
Lifeguards
Pier
Pier
This Month's Forecast
63°F / 78°F
Sunny in October
Nov
56°F / 73°F
Sunny in November
Dec
51°F / 68°F
Sunny in December
Jan
51°F / 67°F
Sunny in January

Stay Nearby

Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside
Near Camp Pendelton
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside
from $144 / night
View Hotel
The Fin Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Boutique Hotel
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
The Fin Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
from $93 / night
View Hotel
Holiday Inn Oceanside Marina - Camp Pendleton
Near Camp Pendelton
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Holiday Inn Oceanside Marina - Camp Pendleton
from $155 / night
View Hotel
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Oceanside
Near Camp Pendelton
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Oceanside
from $184 / night
View Hotel
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