I've been exploring the local beaches lately and decided to document what I’ve learned. Oceanside has miles and mile of beaches. You can literally drive south from Oceanside Harbor and find beach access at just about every intersection for at least two miles. Here are just the highlights:
Harbor Beach is Oceanside's largest beach, offering everything from surfing to volleyball. The Oceanside Harbor, adjacent to Harbor Beach, has many amenities and a variety of shops.
Breakwater Way is a quiet, family beach located just south of Oceanside Harbor. It is popular with surfers and volleyball players. Surfers, however, will have to walk down to the jetty in the summer months when the beach is closed to surfing in front of Lifeguard Tower 8.
The areas north and south of the pier are broken up into two beaches creatively named Pier View North & Pier View South. The northern side has more sand with more open space. The south side is Oceanside's most popular beach. If you don't mind crowds, you will be comfortable here. Surfing, bodyboarding, and body surfing contests are held at Oceanside Pier throughout the summer. There are also various events that are held in the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater.
Tyson Street Beach, also known as Tyson Street Park, is within walking distance of the Oceanside Pier. Lifeguard Tower 5 is located here. Since the park is just a few feet from the beach, it is great for picnics. Stairs are provided for beach and park access from Pacific Street.
Wisconsin Street Beach is located at Wisconsin Street and The Strand. The south Strand is a one-way, southbound street that parallels the beach. There is a ramp just north of lifeguard Tower 7 for access to the beach. It was the location of Oceanside’s first pier.
Oceanside Boulevard Beach offers more actual beach than its neighbor, Buccaneer Beach. All along the beachfront, there are private homes facing the ocean. During the summer months there is an area directly in front of the lifeguard tower (Tower 9) approximately 200 ft., that is designated for swimmers, waders, and bodyboarders only.
Located 1/2 Mile north of Cassidy Street and barely 150 feet wide, Buccaneer Beach is more like a sandy break in the wall of condos that separates Pacific Street from the Oceanside breakers. You'll find this family beach frequented by sun worshipers working on their tans. It has the only free parking lot of any of the beaches across the street at Buccaneer Park.
Cassidy St Beach is the most southern beach officially. It sits just south of Buccaneer and just north of the St. Malo Beach Community. Cassidy St has beach space for families, but no bathrooms. I say "officially" because you can beach acess further south at N 33 10.278 W 117 21. 825