Wednesday, April 17, 2013

O is for Oceanside, CA


Growing up, the go-to beach was Huntington. My friends and I went every weekend. This is the car we used to take. Gas was 25 cents and if everyone chipped in a quarter, we were good to go. 


Gas is a whole lot more expensive today and we don’t have time to go every weekend. However, in the summer, my grandson and I generally make several trips. We are closer to Oceanside than Huntington so now it's our go-to beach. We park in the lot at the pier and take the stairs down to the beach although beach goers have their choice on the three miles of beachfront property.


At the pier, the areas just to the left and the right are reserved for surfers but just beyond the 1st lifeguard stands on either side, families are welcomed.  


I am a senior citizen raising a grandchild and have spent my entire life being sunburned. Now I take a chair, an umbrella, and lots of sunscreen. However, I have never been able to ignore the lure of the waves. My grandson loves it when I go out with him. I am not afraid of the water but give it the respect due. I taught him that you never turn your back to a wave. Then, last time we went, I did just that and was knocked over. DUH!

I don't usually post pictures of myself but I wanted to share that if you are smart, you get a swim shirt. I am not hard to find in the picture, my shirt is bright pink. Not only does the shirt prevent sunburn, it also keeps the sand from rubbing your skin raw, if in fact, you turn your back to a wave. 

If you have any concerns about how you look in a bathing suit, this is the beach for you. Unlike some of the more trendy beaches to the north where it's all about the bikini, this is a family beach where everyone enjoys the water. I am not self conscious here and you will find me out swimming beyond the breakers.

In the center of this picture is my sister-in-law and grandson. He put the boogy board down long enough to get in a picture. This is also a great beach for boogy boarding and body surfing.  
As you can see, the beach is always crowded. We arrive early, stake a claim to our beachfront property and then enjoy the day. Although the beach is crowded, people are generally respectful of your space and belongings.

Oceanside is off of Interstate 5, about an hour south of Los Angeles in the northern part of San Diego County. We are east of Oceanside and have several routes to the beach but usually take Highway 79, taking us past the Mission San Luis Rey. If we have company, we stop at the Mission on the way to the beach.

Oceanside borders Camp Pendleton, the large Marine Corp base that runs all the way to San Onfre. We spend a lot of time in the area because our favorite beach campground is in San Onfre.  

If you decide to visit Oceanside, look for me in the pink rash guard shirt.  

10 comments:

  1. I like your pink rash guard! One of my daughters burns like crazy (she takes after the English side of the family and is very fair) the others are dark like me. But I always make my girls wear hats and sun protection regardless. The beaches here are pretty much the same, I like to be seperated from all the drama. I have one specific section of beach I take my girls to that is full of moms and kids, so I don't have to listen to the muscle-headed meatballs full of attitude scoping on all the bikinis. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the beach but can totally do without the trendy ones. Even when I was young and fit and looked good in a bikini, I never felt comfortable at those beaches. Give me a family beach anytime and you're bound to have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have beach envy! It has been snowing at my house for three days. I thought we were done with snow boots for the year.

    I burn easily and think the rash guard shirts are great. I want a pink one now :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so there, Ann. It's tough being land-locked when you grew up swimming in the ocean like I did. I must agree, when it comes to the beach, it's not about what you're wearing or how you look. Beach people get it - there's nothing better than kicking back on the sand and swimming in the ocean! Thanks for another delightful post, my friend:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think I might pop to Oceanside, I need a beach that is not body conscious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fun to find a A to Z about my home state
    i am convinced that you need never leave the state as there is so much to do and see.

    Enjoy the journey through the Alphabet I know when you get to S you will feature the place I leave my heart- San Francisco

    nice to meet you

    ReplyDelete
  7. How FUN! I saw the name of your blog & had to come check it out. Loved seeing your posts here & will be subscribing to it.
    Yes, Huntington was the beach we went to as children too. In high school I discovered Laguna Beach and now LB and Aptos are my favorite beaches.
    I'm a Southern California girl too; born in Glendora & lived the first 50 years of my life from Glendora, Rowland Heights, Rialto, Upland with a 2 yrs stint in Palm Springs.
    My son (who is now 29) had his 3rd birthday celebration at Orange Empire RR museum. I've been at a lot of the places you've blogged about ... yet not all of them!
    I've been in Texas now for 5 years, but am still a CA girl at heart.
    Thanks for a great blog!
    Trisha Faye
    www.calicoconnections.wordpress.com
    www.binkeyandbubblegumbooks.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks like a beautiful place to be! Thanks for sharing! What a fun blog you have here.

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'll keep Oceanside in mind, if we're ever down that way. I love swimming in the ocean, but it's much too cold up here. (Monterey area).

    Take 25 to Hollister
    Don't be a Hippie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a great beach, casual. Rashguard is a great idea. Who cares as long as you're comfy?

    ReplyDelete

My Blog List