18 Places You Need to Visit in Oceanside

Food & Drink

Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen

Most locals cite this gastropub as the start of South O’s current restaurant boom. Inside, it’s got the Austin-like garage-sale aesthetic, but pro service (owner Roddy Browning worked at Market Del Mar). Order anything pork.

626 South Tremont Street

Petite Madeline

Chef-owner Christine Loyola started selling all-day buns at the farmers’ market until popularity demanded this corner space. Now it’s where the whole city starts the day, sometimes at noon for the ham sammys.

223 North Coast Highway

Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub

Chef Davin Waite’s sushi joint is a tiny, eclectic box filled with knickknacks and skate-punk decor. Waite and his brother usually work the bar themselves, so sit there for an omakase.

1815 South Coast Highway

The Privateer Marketplace & Wine Bar

This is the expansion of owner Charlie Anderson’s Privateer Coal Fire Pizza next door. They have open-faced sandwiches like house-smoked pastrami, plus breakfast pastries and desserts. Monday night’s stand-up comedy events are always popular.

1704 South Coast Highway

Panca Peruvian Cuisine & Rotisserie

This is where Oceanside gets its Peruvian food. Chef-owner Iole Revilla’s original rotisserie was so successful that she expanded into a full menu, and is opening a new concept next door. Try the lomo soltado and the aji de gallina.

1902 South Coast Highway

608

After cooking at George’s at the Cove, chef Willy Eick opened this bistro on the main strip going into downtown. Dishes like short ribs in panang curry sauce are pushing the scene’s culinary acumen.

608 Mission Avenue

The Miller’s Table

This little courtyard is where a lot of O’side chefs got their start, and right now it’s Staci Miller’s wine and craft beer bar with sandwiches, salads, small plates, charcuterie, and cheese.

514 South Coast Highway

Local Tap House (LTH)

This has become the social aorta for O’siders, with 32 tap handles of craft beer, a wide-open corner layout, and true farm-to-table food from chef Daniel Pundik.

308 South Coast Highway

Banana Dang

A coffee and smoothie stop, where locals go for a liquid breakfast and pick-me-up like the “Radical Dang” with kale, hemp, banana, and mango.

115 South Coast Highway

Farmers Market and Sunset Market

Thursdays the whole city gathers in the downtown streets, starting with the Farmers Market (9 a.m.–1 p.m.), then moving closer to the beach for Sunset Market (5–9 p.m.).

Cyclops Farms

On a plot of land tucked between very nice homes, farmer Luke Girling grows food for locals and chefs alike. Go Saturday mornings when his farm stand is open, selling the latest harvest.

1448 Avocado Road

Arts & Culture

Oceanside Museum of Art

Surf city has a long history of pretty, arty things, and OMA is one of the its top modern museums. Through the end of August, they’re showcasing work from 92 regional artists.

704 Pier View Way

South O Walkabout

Every second Wednesday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m., South O’s shops stay open late and locals loiter, mingle, and jump from one storefront to the next, saying hi, tasting, sipping, buying.

California Surf Museum

O’side has some of the best surf in San Diego County, especially during the summer, and it’s ground zero for some of the best shapers and pro surfers. This museum documents their art and stoke.

312 Pier View Way

Shops

Real Surf

Indie surf shops are, like record stores, an endangered breed. Here, owner Shawn Ambrose shapes, fixes dings, and designs threads. It’s where locals shop.

1101 South Coast Highway

Captain’s Helm

One of the most creative vintage clothing stores in town, specializing in one-of-a-kind, hard-to-find items (Ted Nugent concert tees!). They also have a tiny coffee bar where locals get their espresso.

1832 South Coast Highway

Reap & Sow

Like a laid-back spiritual boutique. This self-described “lifestyle apothecary” is one cool store, with teas, herbs, spices, holistic products, creative knickknacks, CBD oils, and art things.

1830 South Coast Highway

Clothe+Arrow / All Ye Citizens / Furrow Floral

This trio of indie boutiques (two fashion, one floral) all share a space in true upstart collective style.

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More: The Oceanside Revolution