Ocean Beach Pier & City Beach

Ocean Beach City Beach features great surfing, fishing, swimming and sunbathing. It’s a popular location for locals and tourists.
Todd Sarouhan
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Why you'll love this beach
Why you'll love this beach
Stroll the Pier & Feel the Vibe of Classic San Diego at Ocean Beach Pier & City Beach
OB Pier & City Beach
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

Lifeguard Statue at Ocean Beach City BeachThree Surfers on the Same Wave at Ocean Beach City Beach

Ocean Beach City Beach is a popular spot among locals, for surfing, sunbathing and simply enjoying the San Diego atmosphere. Make sure to walk out on the Ocean Beach pier and take a look back at the city.

San Diego has a lot of great beaches, but Ocean Beach is one of the best places in the city to surf. It still has the vibe of vintage San Diego, but also has some modern amenities that make it a great beach to visit.

Things to Do

Fishing
Fishing
Surfing
Surfing

Why Ocean Beach Is So Popular

OB Pier

Ocean Beach Pier extends a half-mile into the ocean. It is the longest pier in San Diego and also on the entire west coast of the United States.

You can fish off the pier without a fishing license, regardless of your age. Kids under 16 years old can fish without a license off the beach, but adults need a fishing license.

Known for Surfing

Sunbathing and swimming are popular, but it’s really known for surfing. South of the pier and below the pier at low tide, you can explore the tide pools, which have a good selection of small wildlife.

Lifeguards on Duty

Ocean Beach has many lifeguards on duty for both swimming and surfing. You’ll find restrooms and showers, and accessible features. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 AM and after 6 PM. You can have bonfires and enjoy a fire pit, just make sure to clean up after yourself.

Picnic at OB

Behind the beach is a grassy area called Ocean Beach Park. It features picnic tables where you don’t have to eat in the sand.

Local Tips
The Best Surfing Spot
There are great beach break waves, and lifeguards are present. If surfing isn’t your thing, walk the pier, check out the boardwalk, enjoy the fire pits, go fishing, or cool off with some swimming.

The Surf Breaks of OB

This portion of the beach is very well known for its good surf, there are various breaks: OB Pier, Main OB Break & Avalanche. The Main OB Break gets normal waves for surfers of all levels. It features beach-break waves that go both right and left.

Avalanche break has similar types of waves. There’s almost always some rideable surf. The OB Pier wave types are breakwater and jetty. It’s a good beach for beginners and surfers of more advanced levels.

Stay Nearby OB Pier & City Beach for more Fun

Ocean Beach City Beach and Pier can be a great place to explore and relax. Stay at Ocean Beach Hotel and enjoy multiple days at the beach. Ocean Beach Hotel sits on the corner of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street in the funky beach town of Ocean Beach. It has a clear view of the legendary Ocean Beach Pier and offers visitors a little slice of the slowed-down San Diego beach lifestyle.

Bundle and SAVE!

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Explore the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum with your All-Inclusive Go City pass! Check out the hangar deck and flight deck, plus over 60 exhibits, displays and interactive experiences. Enjoy an authentic tour narrated by Midway sailors!
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Local Tips
What attractions are included with a Go City San Diego pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

The San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Museum, the NAT Museum, Whaley House, PETCO Park Tour, iFLY San Diego and many, many more!

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

Popular Activities

The World Famous San Diego Zoo
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
Discounts Available
Learn More
Visit SeaWorld San Diego
Visit SeaWorld San Diego
Discounts Available
Learn More
Visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Discounts Available
Learn More
Half Day Whale Watching Tour
Half Day Whale Watching Tour
$80 per person
Buy Now

How to Get There & Parking

Neighborhood Parking
Neighborhood Parking
Street Parking
Street Parking

Getting to Ocean Beach Pier & City Beach

Take the I-8 freeway to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Turn right on West Point Loma Blvd and drive to the beach. There are two parking lots available, but these fill up quickly on the weekends.

Parking Near OB Pier & City Beach

Street parking is an option, but always make sure to watch the signs to know where you can and cannot park. The residential area around Newport Avenue offers street parking.

A bike path allows easy accessibility for bikers and walkers.

Featured Activity

San Diego Harbor Cruise on San Diego Bay at Sunset
San Diego Harbor Cruise
Enjoy this ‘San Diego Top Pick Award’ winner as you set sail on a three level luxury ship providing 360-degree views of San Diego’s scenic beauty. Relax for a 1-2 hour narrated tour, learn about the city from the bay.
Buy Now

Know Before You Go & Tips

Large Group Gatherings
Large Group Gatherings
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
No Trash Cans
No Trash Cans
Picnic Tables
Picnic Tables
Pier
Pier
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Restrooms
Restrooms
Shade
Shade
Trash Cans Available
Trash Cans Available

What to Know Before You Arrive

Fishing on OB Pier

Herring is the most common fish caught off the pier, but you may also catch perch or even sharks. Typically, there is no limit, but that can depend on conditions. The pier was designed to give locals a place to catch fish, but it soon became an iconic location for tourists. There is also a bait shop on the pier.

OB Farmers Market

On Wednesday evenings, enjoy the large farmers market along Newport Ave, the main street in Ocean Beach.

Rent Gear

There are plenty of places to rent equipment for all types of outdoor activities, surfing, kayaking, biking and more.

Smoking & Alcohol Prohibited on the Beach

Smoking is prohibited on the beach as is alcohol and glass containers.

Ocean Beach Dog Beach

OB Dog Beach, at the north end of the beach, allows unleashed dogs to play in the ocean and on the beach any time of day.

Annual Events

There are several popular annual events at the OB beaches. If you’re looking for a quiet beach, avoid this section of beaches during Oktoberfest and 4th of July when everyone loves to watch the fireworks off the pier.

Popular for Surfing

The beach has a good vibe, but it is a popular spot. If you want less crowds while surfing, try surfing during the week.

Be Careful Swimming!

There are rip currents and undertows, so know how to swim out of a rip. Swim parallel to the shore until you get out of the rip. Then swim diagonally toward shore. If you aren’t a strong swimmer, yell for help and tread water until assistance arrives.

Ocean Beach Pier & City Beach
is Known For:
Surfing
Surfing
Know This:
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Lifeguards
Lifeguards
Pier
Pier
Restrooms Available
Restrooms Available
This Month's Forecast
56°F / 73°F
Sunny in November
Dec
51°F / 68°F
Sunny in December
Jan
51°F / 67°F
Sunny in January
Feb
53°F / 68°F
Sunny in February

Stay Nearby

Ocean Villa Inn
Near SeaWorld
2 Star Rating2 Star Rating
Ocean Villa Inn
from $125 / night
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Ocean Beach Hotel
Beachfront
2 Star Rating2 Star Rating
Ocean Beach Hotel
from $181 / night
View Hotel
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