Ocean Beach

As its name implies, Ocean Beach is a coastal neighborhood of San Diego that features stunning views of the water. Also known as “O.B,” the original name for the town was “Mussel Beach,” before it was renamed by Billy Carlson and Albert E. Higgins in 1887. These developers constructed the Cliff House Resort and hotel; they also subdivided the area into multiple lots. However, the development wasn’t fully finalized until later in the 20th century, when Ocean Beach was linked to the rest of San Diego in 1967 through the construction of Interstate-8. Today, the town is located just a few minutes from navy and military sites as well as the San Diego International Airport.

There are many small, independent retail businesses in Ocean Beach; the main business street is Newport Avenue, which makes for fun evening strolling. Here, you’ll find a range of family-owned businesses, including bakeries, book and novelty shops, drug stores, pet stores, a shoe store, and men’s and women’s apparel shops. There are also restaurants, tattoo and piercing shops, bars, and coffee houses, and an international youth hostel on Newport—in other words, it’s a thriving downtown!

For residents, Ocean Beach offers a public library, a vegetarian co-op, a post office, and other amenities. There are three schools: Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic Kindergarten through eighth-grade school; Ocean Beach Elementary, a public school for kindergarten through fourth grade; and Warren-Walker, which is a private K-8 school.  

Ocean Beach is just south of Mission Bay Park – the largest human-made water park in the country – but it also has its oceanfront parks at Robb Field and the Ocean Beach Athletic Arena.

Still wondering what else to do in Ocean Beach? You check out some of the many outdoor activities, sights and landmarks, and nature parks in the town:

• You can enjoy the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off, which offers eclectic fun in the sun for adults and children.
• You can celebrate the Fourth of July Fireworks at Ocean Beach. There’s a spectacular fireworks display off the Ocean Beach Pier—one fantastic way to celebrate the official start of summer in Southern California.
• Explore the community murals, which you will find painted on buildings around the neighborhood. They portray the essence of the seaside town.
• The OB Oktoberfest is a celebration of German culture and fun—this is one of the events you don’t want to miss!
• You can check out one of the most-visited landmarks in San Diego County (OB Pier and Tidepools), which was formally christened and displayed to San Diegans on July 2, 1966. Interestingly, the pier at the foot of Newport Avenue (which extends half a mile out to sea) is one of the longest piers in Southern California. In addition, Ocean Beach Pier remains one of the few locations in San Diego where you can fish without having to get a California fishing license.

At the beaches, you will find lifeguard-supervised swimming and surfing areas, showers, restrooms as well as assistance for disabled patrons. Visitors and residents have access to an excellent public parking lot, which is located at the foot of Voltaire Street; there’s another one adjacent to the north end of the beach. Street parking is also available along Newport Avenue and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

The best way to experience life in Ocean Beach is to visit the area yourself. You’ll fall in love with this fun, bustling community and never want to leave!