More than a zipcode... it's a way of life.
Ocean Beach is San Diego’s best kept secret. Humbly tucked away at the northernmost part of the peninsula that makes up Point Loma, it’s where Interstate 8 ends its westward journey, running face first into the Pacific Ocean.
Ocean Beach has traditionally been known as a hippie capital and due to its colorful past and freespirit, and has remained largely untapped while the rest of San Diego has exploded in growth around it. Called San Diego’s most authentic beach, the atmosphere is generally laid back, açai and beer are plentiful and the only thing to disturb the silence is the occasional incoming or outgoing flight to Lindbergh field only 5 miles away.
The nearest beach to busy downtown San Diego isn’t always sleepy. On Wednesdays the main commercial strip, Newport Avenue, closes itself to traffic for the Ocean Beach Farmers Market and crowds descend on the grass along the boardwalk to blow giant bubbles to wow kids or practice their acrobatics and yoga.
As San Diego continues to gain rank as a craft brewing mecca in the United States, Ocean Beach has gained its fair share of breweries and tasting rooms over the years with five on Newport Avenue alone and a few more scattered around the neighborhood. Pizza Port, the longest running microbrew in OB also serves up some of the best pizza in the country right at the intersection of Santa Monica Ave. and Bacon St.
Ocean Beach’s streets are narrow with cars parked along both sides in most cases, slowing traffic down where riding a bike around most of the neighborhood is an efficient and safe way to get around. Riding to some less-known hideouts where alleys and streets meet the sand makes for a great way to explore the area and be greeted with captivating views.
Continue South to find one of California’s most magnificent sites: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. This unbridled view over crashing cliffs into the ocean is a popular destination to watch sunsets. A couple of seasons throughout the year whales are visible breaching in the waters.
The celebrated culinary atmosphere in Ocean Beach’s single square mile geographic boundary draws crowds from all over. From the explosive taste corner of Bo-Beaux French Dining and “The Third Corner” wine & dining bistro at the corner of W. Point Loma Blvd. & Bacon St. to the amazing Kiwi fare of Raglan’s Public House across town (and this author’s favorite burger,) every square inch has something to put in your mouth. See the Dining in OB blog post for more tips.