Hometown Spotlight: Oceanside, CA
San Diego is best known for its amazing beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and the popular “Anchorman” movies. Like most California counties, San Diego County is full of cities with unique cultures and personalities. When people think of San Diego, they mostly think of Downtown San Diego, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, or La Jolla. One of the most overlooked cities (until recently that is) is Oceanside. I may be biased, but it’s one of the best cities in the world.
Oceanside has experienced a revitalization in the past few years. Every month there’s a new brewery, coffee shop, or restaurant to experience. With so many options, it’s hard to know where to go and what to do, especially if you’re just visiting. Here are a few of my favorite places to go and things to do in my favorite city.
Revolution Roasters
From the moment it opened a couple years ago, Revolution Roasters has made a big impact on coffee culture in Oceanside. More often than not, there’s a line out the door and the tables are full. The baristas are energetic and friendly, and you’ll probably run into someone you know. Although the clientele is half locals and half tourists, both locals and those traveling through will feel at home at Revolution Roasters.
From coconut lattes in the summer to maple tea lattes in the fall, there is no lack of creativity happening in this coffee shop. Everything from the syrups to the almond milk is made in-house and you will truly feel the love that’s gone into its production. Need some food beyond the ordinary cafe muffin? Revolution Roasters has got you covered. From the classic SoCal avocado toast to acai bowls, Revolution Roasters has delicious and locally sourced eats.
Experience the Breeze and Sights at Oceanside Pier
Oceanside Pier is home to some incredible sights and even more incredible people. The pier itself goes out almost 2,000 feet and provides amazing views of the ocean and coastline. At the end of the pier is Ruby’s Diner, a great place to treat yourself after that long walk. Along the pier you’ll find an eclectic group of people, from families and couples taking a nice stroll to musicians serenading you to people fishing.
Beneath the pier is Junior Seau Amphitheater, which was named in honor of our hometown boy. During the summer and early fall, the amphitheater hosts movies nights and concerts. (Fun fact: It’s also where they filmed the cheer competition at the end of “Bring It On.”) Around the pier are food vendors, surfers, and people simply enjoying the sun. The pier is the heart of Oceanside beach culture and a fantastic place to spend the day.
Eat to Your Heart’s Content at Sunset Market
Every Thursday night, Downtown Oceanside transforms into a food metropolis, making Sunset Market the place to be. Every type of food truck you can imagine attends this weekly event. There’s live music on every corner and activities for everyone in the family. It’s a great place to meet up with friends, try new foods, and enjoy breezy Oceanside nights. Not only is it is a great way to spend a Thursday night, but it’s also a great way to support local businesses, like The Cup.
Enjoy Happy Hour and Late-Night Eats at Local Tap House
Local Tap House, or LTH as locals call it, is a great place to grab some delicious and well-crafted food and drinks. In addition to amazing cocktails, LTH also has a great list of beers on tap, most of them local. I’ve never had a cocktail I didn’t enjoy or a meal that wasn’t delicious here. If you have a sweet tooth, I’d like to suggest you get the s’mores dessert, which is a mason jar full of salted caramel ice cream, chocolate ganache, graham crackers, and marshmallows. Trust me, it’s always a solid choice.
Samantha Jeet is a photographer, geographer, and cake enthusiast. If she’s not at her computer watching cute animal videos on YouTube, you can find her at a local cafe taking too many photos of her food. She has her B.S. in health care administration and her M.S. in geographic information sciences. She promised her mom she would mention that. You can check out Samantha's website here, and her Instagram here.