Oceanside, CA Harbor- Insider Tips!

Oceanside, CA Harbor- Insider Tips!

Oceanside California Harbor

The Oceanside Harbor has so much to offer.  I just can’t believe how many folks I come across that have not yet discovered our beautiful harbor!  Be ready to enjoy some fine foods and entertainment at the Oceanside harbor, a stop that will keep you coming back.   The harbor offers a great variety of good eats with many options to tantalize your taste buds!   Fried Calamari & Margaritas at Rockin’ Baja Lobster, Italian Pizza & Pastas @ Dominic’s Pizza, Roof Top Dining  @ Light House Oysteria, Fully loaded breakfast (mouth watering) @ Beachbreak Café, and you can’t miss it….the classic (and I mean Classic) Fish & Chips, the scent of any great harbor eatery- yum! 

The eateries offer a wonderful selection to enjoy on a night out with friends and family, however my personal pit stop is the Nautical Bean.  Renowned for their delicious selection of coffees and pastries with boat and water view, their hot chocolate with homemade chocolate whipped cream is hands down- A MUST have! I’m telling ya, don’t leave the harbor without it. During summer hours, they will host local bands for entertainment.

It’s Not Just The Food

The Oceanside harbor offers a wide array of Entertainment and Activities including whale watching, deep sea fishing, boat rentals, kayak & jet-ski rentals, & much more.  Additionally, check out the Sunset Harbor Cruise boat schedule as they offer harbor tours with a live band during the summer. The Cruise boat is available for private party rental venues such as Birthday, Wedding, or just about any Celebration, a great experience to offer your entire group of family and friends.  Around summer sunset time, the cruise boat offers a relaxing cruise with breathtaking views just around the harbor and back- a fun short excursion with gorgeous views and relaxation!

Need something for the kids?

Check out the Candy & Ice-Cream Shop on the inside harbor hallway. Always a hit with the kids!  If you are adventurous in walking around the harbor, you will find a fishing doc.  Occasionally, the fisherman’s catch along the way, sometimes they catch sharks and you can most always catch a lazing Sea Lion yelping around.  Kids can fish without a license off the dock in the harbor, Adults-sorry- license required. 

Insider Tips:

Check out the Happy Hour Menu’s: Rockin Baja, Monterey Cannery, Lighthouse Oyster Bar all have great happy hour menus.  Dominic’s has a wine bistro called ‘De Vinos’, which makes a great date night with wine & Beer flights with wonderful cheese plates and gelato (chocolate is my favorite) dessert. 

Parking can get hectic in the summer, be sure to keep an eye on your watch if you are in 2 hour parking.   City of Oceanside does write tickets! There is a Free Parking lot located just north of the restaurants, through the tunnel. 

There are many events hosted by the Oceanside beach area such as Harbor Days, Marathons, Triathlons, Surf Competitions, etc. that occasionally will make parking a great challenge.  In many cases the free parking lot remains open and the easiest to access and special events such as Harbor Days will offer shuttles to the harbor.

The Harbor cools off fast after the sun goes down, especially when dining on the roof top Light House Oyster Bar.  I recommend taking a sweater to keep off the chill.

Lastly, always get a cool photo with the Lighthouse background. Makes for great photos and memories!

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the Oceanside area?

 Liz Saldana is a Realtor with Andrew Arroyo Real Estate and is an expert in North County Real Estate.  Keep up with Liz on Facebook and email her at lizsaldanarealtor@gmail.com to subscribe to her newsletter. She can also be reached at 760-450-7119.

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