Pacific Beach vs Ocean Beach Neighborhoods

Let’s compare popular eateries and hangout spots between PB and OB.

Carne Asada Tacos at Fat Fish Restaurant

Grab a Bite in PB

Like many San Diego neighborhoods along the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach have lots of seafood restaurants featuring fresh-caught fish and shellfish. Many restaurants and cafes in pacific Beach have outdoor seating so you can enjoy the ocean breeze while you dine.

You can also find some unique spots, like The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach, a tiki bar themed after a 1920s speakeasy.

Pacific Beach has quite a few surf shops, plus plenty of places to grab a souvenir. There are more “touristy” stores which are fun to browse for unique items.

Both Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach hold regular farmers markets weekly throughout the year, as mentioned in our article about the best farmers markets in San Diego. I love to purchase fresh, locally-grown produce and support small businesses.

The Famous Hodads Burger Joint in Ob

Dine and Shop in OB

Just like in Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach has plenty of fresh seafood restaurants. The restaurants here have a bit more variety, with many different types of cuisine to choose from around the neighborhood.

Shops also tend to be locally-owned or boutique, with more unique stores.

Ocean Beach is a more residential area, and its stores reflect this. You’ll still find some surfing gear shops, but there are also spots like wellness centers, gyms, and bookstores.

For drinking options in Ocean Beach, waterfront brewpubs offer great views and great seasonal beers.

Bars in Ocean Beach

The Winning Neighborhood: Ocean Beach

Personally, I think Ocean Beach has a better selection of restaurants. Combined with its unique shopping scene, it’s my pick for the winner here.

It’s easy to enjoy the outdoors and plan fun activities around these San Diego beach towns.

The Perfect Wave in Pacific Beach

Have a Ball at Pacific Beach

PB beaches are generally known for being great spots for surfing and sunbathing.

Some of my favorites in PB include Pacific Beach and North Pacific Beach, both of which are typical wide, sandy beaches with space for tanning and swimming. Watching the sunset there is one of our team’s favorite Free Things to Do in San Diego.

You can also rent a surfboard with a Go City San Diego pass and ride the waves at Tourmaline Surf Park and PB Point / False Point.

Pacific Beach also borders the bay. In Mission Bay Park, you can try your hand at sportfishing, jet skiing, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding, to name a few.

Some popular parks in Pacific Beach include Palisades South Park, the dog-friendly Kate Sessions Memorial Park, and Pacific Beach Park, which doubles as a rec center.

Beachgoers at Ocean Beach City Beach

Splash Around in Ocean Beach

OB beaches include a few surf spots as well as a dog beach.

Some standouts are the pet-friendly Ocean Beach Dog Beach and the more surfing-oriented Ocean Beach Pier & City Beach.

Ocean Beach also has a few parks with walking trails, including Saratoga Park and the Robb Athletic Field by the San Diego River.

Lots of Surfers at Tourmaline Surf Park

Spend More Time Outdoors With Our Pick: Pacific Beach

OB mainly has the beach, while PB has both the beach and bay access. That’s why we suggest Pacific Beach, as it’s got more to do.

You don’t have to walk around long to get a feel for the atmosphere and culture of these neighborhoods. They have very different vibes, but both PB and OB are filled with expressions of culture.

Locals and tourists alike are also invited to attend fun annual events.

Pacific Beach Christmas Parade

Special Events in PB

In Pacific Beach, the annual Concerts on the Green (CotG) event is held on Sundays in the summer, from July to August. The concert series highlights artists from San Diego and is open to all.

Pacific Beach also has murals scattered around the neighborhood, mainly between Turquoise Street and Crown Point Beach. Many murals are influenced by the Mexican cultural backgrounds of their artists, while others range in subjects from animals, to food, to nature.

Ocean Beach Peoples Market

OB’s Community Events and Culture

Ocean Beach has a number of annual community events. These include the Kite Festival in May, an Oktoberfest street fair, and the Sunset Cliffs Auto Show in September.

Ocean Beach also holds a combination Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off in June. Though PB used to have an annual street fair, it is no longer running.

The OB Playhouse & Theatre Company puts on rotating live shows throughout the year.

Ocean Beach’s community mural program dates back to 1999, and a new mural has been created every year since at the annual street fair. These murals are on display between Niagara Ave and Santa Monica Ave, close to the start of the pier.

OB Peoples Market Sign

Our Pick for the Best Culture and Community: Ocean Beach

The vibrant murals and great community events of Ocean Beach make it our team’s choice for the neighborhood with the best sense of community.

Public transit is widely available in San Diego. In addition to rideshares, there are bus and trolley lines that will bring you to and from different points of interest.

Pacific Beach, Beach Bug Electric Shuttle

Transportation in Pacific Beach

While travel is convenient in both areas, PB boasts a unique electric shuttle service. The Beach Bug will take you anywhere you need to go in Pacific Beach San Diego, and you can hail a ride from anywhere in the neighborhood through the free app.

There’s also a trolley station right as you enter PB, making it easy to travel between other neighborhoods like Downtown San Diego and Old Town San Diego.

Pacific Beach’s previously mentioned murals are a great spot to take a self-guided tour. With over 50 murals on display, the PB Mural Walk is a must-see attraction.

Uber Dropping off Passenger at the Santa Fe Train Depot

Navigating Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach doesn’t have as many neighborhood-centric ways to get around. However, it’s a walkable neighborhood, and rideshares are always an option if you’re looking to go elsewhere in San Diego.

Ocean Beach has a self-guided walking tour around the Newport Avenue and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard area. Historic sites along these roads are marked with informative plaques.

Back of the Electric Shuttle - PB Beach Bug

Our Getting Around Winner

Since PB has transportation options like the trolley stop and the Beach Bug, neither of which are available in OB, it’s the easier neighborhood to navigate between the two.

Fun Wave Breaking in Pacific Beach

With some of our favorite beaches, more attraction variety, and convenient services like the Beach Bug, our team thinks that Pacific Beach is the stand-out winner between these two neighborhoods, though Ocean Beach has a lot to offer beach lovers too!