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.