12 Best Things to Do in Oceanside

San Diego’s surf culture is one of its most defining features, and there are few better places to learn how to take part in this exciting activity than in sunny Oceanside!

Don’t miss out on your chance to surf in the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean on San Diego’s best beaches; even if you’re a total beginner, you can still learn the basics with an Oceanside Private Surf Lesson.

These private lessons are designed for small family and friend groups, so you can feel comfortable learning alongside fellow newbies. Your experienced instructor will show you the ropes and get you started on the board, covering everything from paddling out into the ocean to how to maintain your balance while you’re hanging ten.

Since taking surfing lessons is one of the best things to do in the best neighborhoods in San Diego, you won’t want to miss out on this fun opportunity in a beautiful beach neighborhood. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can pick up a Go City San Diego pass and save on surfboard rentals all throughout Southern California.

California’s historic missions were first constructed when early European explorers started to settle along the West Coast. Oceanside’s own mission, Mission San Luis Rey, is just one of many missions that can be found along the coast, and it’s well worth a visit, whether you’re planning on traveling the entirety of El Camino Real - a Pacific Coast highway that connects each of the missions - or you just want to get a taste of San Diego history during your stay in the area.

As one of the best things to do in San Diego regardless of where you’re exploring, no stay in Oceanside is complete without checking out the incredible Spanish architecture of the mission, which has been preserved for hundreds of years and renovated to better show off the property as an educational resource. The gorgeous flower gardens of the Mission San Luis Rey surround an active church and multiple restored buildings. The mission is the perfect location for an afternoon stroll or a picnic under a shade tree at one of the picnic tables.

The property also includes a museum that contains Spanish, Mexican, and Native American artifacts. At this uniquely Oceanside museum, you can learn about the lives of European explorers, the people of the Kumeyaay tribe, and the impacts they’ve left on modern-day San Diego.

Not far from Oceanside, North County San Diego is known as not just one of the biggest brewery towns in San Diego, but in all of California!

Check out the offerings of local breweries and bars as you visit notable landmarks and enjoy a taste of San Diego’s nightlife when you take the Cruise & Booze Brewery Tour, an adults-only small group tour designed with a love of craft beer in mind.

Traverse North County’s best sights in comfort as you ride in a vintage VW Vanagon through the streets, enjoying snacks and drinks as you go. Hop between three different local craft breweries, each with their own unique offerings, and taste samples from each location.

This tour provides an ideal way to survey North County’s best beers, and it easily makes our list of the Best Things to Do by Location in San Diego. If you’re interested in similar excursions, be sure to check out the city’s Best Food & Beer Tours, which includes many great ways to get a taste of everything San Diego has to offer!

From speedy cheetahs to brightly colored exotic birds, there’s a whole new world to discover when you visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, located just to the east of Oceanside in Escondido. The location is a paradise for animal lovers that wildlife enthusiasts of all ages are sure to enjoy. The park offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience an African safari without leaving San Diego.

Explore a tropical rainforest teeming with life, from rare Sumatran tigers, fierce lions, and huge elephants to insects, butterflies, and birds. Meet animals up close at Animal Encounters shows, or see the park from the comfort of the Africa Tram Safari.

Access to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park also includes entrance to the Wings of the World Aviary, Lion Camp, Elephant Overlook, and the Heart of Africa and Hidden Jungle habitats. See rare California condors, watch an East African crane perform at the Frequent Flyers Bird Show, and pet antelope and deer at the Petting Kraal.

As the sister park to the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, the Safari Park is safe and family-friendly. Travelers in the know can skip the line and get right to exploring the 1,800 acre park when they pre-purchase a 1-day ticket that’s valid for an entry for one full year!

For one of the best beach experiences in all of Oceanside, a visit to the Oceanside Pier, Pier View North & Pier View South Beaches is a must! These gorgeous beaches are bisected by a large pier that provides the perfect spot for watching wildlife, as you can frequently spot seals, dolphins, and pelicans nearby. Sportfishing for harbor fish like barracuda, mackerel, and halibut is also popular along the pier.

Pier View South Beach is the livelier of the two beaches, complete with its own showers, restrooms, and an oceanside park with picnic tables, fire pits, and barbecues. It’s a popular spot for swimming and surfing with surfing contests held here throughout the year.

While Pier View North Beach is a little quieter, this makes it a great spot for laid-back swimming and sunbathing. Play some beach volleyball, or catch a show at the amphitheater just a little ways off the beach on Pier View Way.

Other popular Oceanside beach activities include biking, running along the shore, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Be sure to rent a surfboard, paddle board, or kayak with your Go City San Diego pass using discount code GVSD5OFF to save even more!

The coast of Southern California is a great place to see marine life, and there are few better ways to do so than going whale watching. If you’re interested in seeing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, take a two hour whale watching tour out of Oceanside, which is a fun and family-friendly tour that promises amazing views of whales and other marine species.

Board a large, comfortable catamaran and set sail on the Pacific Ocean as your knowledgeable captain narrates your tour. Learn interesting facts about sea birds, whales, and dolphins, and keep your eyes peeled for telltale water spouts that herald the presence of these gentle giants.

Note that whale watching tours are offered on a seasonal basis in accordance with the migration habits of local whale species. Gray whales can be seen in the winter and spring with tours typically offered between December and April. If you’re planning to visit Oceanside in summer and early fall from June to September, tours are available in search of the massive blue whale, the largest animal on earth!

As one of the most family-friendly attractions in Oceanside, California and all of San Diego, LEGOLAND California is more than enough of a reason for families with young kids to take a trip to the sunny city. This Carlsbad attraction just south of Oceanside is great on its own, but it’s even better when paired with the other top attractions included with the all-inclusive Go City San Diego pass.

Of course, you and the kids can have plenty of fun just by visiting LEGOLAND California, whether you’re interested in the rides, games, or its attached waterpark. This massive resort and theme park is full of fun ways to spend the day, letting kids explore and play with hands-on attractions. Watch a live show with colorful, themed LEGO characters, go on thrill rides, and dine and shop right in the park.

For added fun, stay inside the park at one of the two on-property options - the LEGOLAND California Hotel and the LEGOLAND California Resort and Castle Hotel. For more great options of where to stay near the park, don’t miss our complete guide to the Best Hotels near LEGOLAND California.

Have you ever wanted to try skydiving but been intimidated by the idea of jumping out of a plane? Skydiving without the risk at Oceanside Indoor Skydiving is a thrilling method that is commonly used by professional skydivers’ during practice sessions. Step into a wind tunnel which will push you up into the air, creating the feeling of free falling without any of the danger, and for a fraction of the cost.

Unlike standard skydiving, this is a family-friendly activity, and even young children over the age of 3 can participate. Wind speeds inside the tunnel reach up to 130-175 mph, making indoor skydiving a fun and thrilling way to spend an afternoon.

Training and all necessary safety gear is included with the price of a skydiving session. No prior experience is necessary to experience these high-octane thrills, and up to six people can join a lesson at a time!

Get a taste of everything Oceanside has to offer, from its finest museums to its classiest wine producers, on the Oceanside Auto Museum & Winery Tour & Tasting. The tour covers many of the neighborhood’s most important landmarks, which you’ll cruise past in the comfort of a motorcycle sidecar built to accommodate three passengers. This activity is both family-friendly and pet-friendly, and is conducted rain or shine, with a convertible top in case of rare inclement weather.

Start by exploring Oceanside Pier as you look out over the Pacific Coast, then pass by the Oceanside Strand beach promenade, where you can almost always spot a few surfers. The tour continues on to Mission San Luis Rey, where you’ll have a chance to get out and explore the beautiful historic property.

All tours include a stop at the Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum, a unique locale where you can enjoy wine tastings while soaking up the eclectic atmosphere. The winery’s Auto Museum is full of antiques from various eras of history, and includes dedicated rooms full of interesting American memorabilia.

In addition to all the fun rides and games available in the LEGOLAND California park, you can also buy a ticket that grants you access to the LEGOLAND Water Park as well, as long as you select the addition when you purchase admission. Beat the year-round heat of Southern California when you spend the afternoon splashing around in the water park, which includes a wide variety of exciting slides, rides, games, and more.

Kids are sure to adore Pirate Reef, a playground area themed around swashbucklers in the water park, as well as LEGO Legends of CHIMA and the unique Build-A-Raft River. With over 10 acres of space to play in, it’s easy to spend the entire day enjoying everything LEGOLAND has to offer, no matter your age.

If you’re craving something a little more laid back, the park also contains private beaches designated for park guests. Sunbathe on the sand and swim in the ocean, then head back inland for wave pools, slides, and more high-octane fun!

Much like similar popular spots across San Diego designed for shopping and dining such as La Jolla Village and Carlsbad Village, Oceanside has its own downtown area that’s bustling with activity. The shopping hub of Oceanside Harbor Village is a great place to pick up a few odds and ends, look through the wares of a unique array of stores, grab a bite to eat, and share a drink with friends.

Walk along the gorgeous pier as you do some window shopping, enjoy waterfront dining, and try your hand at fun outdoor activities like stand-up paddle boarding and sportfishing. Oceanside Harbor Village is full of local businesses, so whether you’re looking for a restaurant, a quick-service eatery, an upscale boutique, a thrifty shop, a brewery, or a bar, you can feel good about supporting the community with your purchases.

In addition to being a great place to go shopping in San Diego, Oceanside Harbor Village also hosts a number of community events throughout the year. Stop by to check out local vendors, food stalls, arts & crafts, live music, and other fun things to do downtown.

Though the Haunted Head Saloon only dates back to 2002, once you step inside, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the 17th century! That’s because this bar is themed around an old-fashioned pirate saloon, complete with matching buccaneer beach decor and memorabilia adorning the walls. This much-beloved local spot sells its own themed merchandise alongside a wide array of beers, wines, liquor, and cocktails that can be mixed up to your liking.

Inside the bar, you’ll find plenty of entertainment, including two large TVs and a jukebox. The saloon also has bar top games, a pool table, and foosball tables for patrons to enjoy.

You don’t have to come in costume to enjoy a drink or two, but the Haunted Head Saloon frequently hosts event nights that include opportunities to dress up and try out various pirate-themed activities. Each year, the Haunted Head Saloon hosts a large Halloween party, complete with a costume contest and themed food and drinks.