OCEANSIDE, Calif. – 2012- When enjoying this classic Southern California beach community, visitors may be pleasantly surprised to find there are many fun facts and features which make Oceanside a unique and interesting destination along the California Coast. The biggest, longest, oldest, rarest…whatever the case may be, it can all be found in the beautiful City of Oceanside. 

Mission San Luis Rey: Located in the historic Oceanside Valley, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is the largest of the California Missions. The title, “King of the Missions,” was bestowed upon this California state treasure in honor of its expansive architectural beauty.

Oceanside Pier: Stretching 1,942 feet, the historic Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the Pacific Ocean. It's a great place to try your hand at fishing (no permit required) or take in amazing coastline views. The pier is also home to world-renowned surfing and sporting events.

Bike Friendly Community: Oceanside is the only city in San Diego County to be named a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The city boasts several popular bike trails including the 9-mile, paved San Luis Rey Bike Trail that follows the path of the San Luis Rey river. The Coastal Rail Trail is a 44-mile regional bike trail that runs from Oceanside to San Diego.

Surf, Surf and More Surf: Oceanside is renowned for its wide sandy beaches and incredible, consistent surf. In fact, according to Justin Cote, TransWorld SURF online editor, “Oceanside has miles and miles of great surf and is what we in the surf world call a “swell magnet”, meaning there's always something to surf—even when the rest of the county is flat!” What's more, the city is home to the popular California Surf Museum.

Oceanside Harbor: Oceanside Harbor is the only harbor for more than 60 miles between San Diego and Orange County, and the largest single municipally-operated marina in the county. The 100 acre harbor area includes 75 acres of water and 25 acres of land.  When visiting the harbor, tourists can enjoy the many shops and restaurants, as well as boating and water-related activities. 

Historic 101 Café: A favorite among locals and always a hit with the out-of-towners, this café is the oldest continuously-operating restaurant on the Historic Highway 101.  Famous for its delicious diner-style food, guests can enjoy a trip back to the 50s with a jukebox playing classics hits and historic photos decorating the walls to complete the experience.

Great Train Escape: Oceanside Transit Center is one of the busiest in Southern California serving numerous commuter lines as well as Amtrak. Visitors can step off the train in downtown Oceanside and enjoy a multitude of things to do from the beach and dining to museums and movies without ever renting a car.

The Oldest Pepper Tree: Originating in Peru, the Pepper Tree landed in Oceanside during the Spanish Mission Period. Legend has it that a Peruvian citizen visited California and gave the padres of Mission San Luis Rey a packet of seeds to show appreciation for their hospitality.  Eager to find plant life that would provide shade, the padres planted the seeds that are now known as Pepper Trees. Now, more than 200 years later, one tree remains as a living testament to Oceanside history.

The Sea Hare: A rare sea cucumber, one can find the Sea Hare all along the coast of Oceanside. The Sea Hare was originally founded in ancient Egypt by royalty. The kings and queens would pay their servants to dive into the ocean and retrieve the Sea Hare, which would be used for the purple dye it emits. The women would shake the animal until the dye was released and use it to color their clothes. This is also the origin of the color Royal Purple and today these sea cucumbers are mainly found in Oceanside's coastal waters. But be careful; these sea animals should only be touched with a single finger, as some species can and will sting.

Rancho Buena Vista Lagoon and Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center and Museum: San Diego's only Audubon Nature Center and Museum make its home on the Rancho Buena Vista Lagoon, the only fresh-water lagoon in the State of California. This unique environment offers dozens of varieties of waterfowl, both migrant and resident. It also contributes to making Oceanside one of the “birdiest” spots in the nation. Visitors enjoy strolling the beautiful paths along the lagoon while witnessing amazing wild-life. The museum also offers interesting wild-life exhibits.

About Oceanside

Centrally located in the heart of the beautiful Southern California coastline, Oceanside is considered the gateway city between metropolitan San Diego and Los Angeles. A classic Southern California beach town, Oceanside's central location offers visitors an ideal place to stay and experience California's casual spirit. With 3.5 miles of sandy beach, a quaint New England-style harbor, California's longest wooden pier and a stellar year-round climate, Oceanside is an ideal place for enjoying active pursuits including surfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, bike-riding and more. The city also boasts a number of important cultural attractions including Mission San Luis Rey (The King of Missions), the California Surf Museum and the Oceanside Museum of Art.

About Visit Oceanside

To assist with every aspect of your travel needs, Oceanside is home to one of the state's official California Welcome Centers and the Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB/California Welcome Center Oceanside is conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway.  For more information, please call (800)350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org.

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