Oceanside

Oceanside California area covers about 42 square miles and has about 4 miles of shoreline and great beaches.  This long shoreline allows for some great Oceanside ocean view homes and some Oceanside whitewater view homes.  Oceanside’s main zip codes are 92054,92056, 92057, and 92058.  Oceanside CA is the classic California beach community with its warm sandy beaches, wooden Oceanside pier and Cape Cod style Oceanside harbor village.  It is located on the Pacific Ocean about 38 miles north of downtown San Diego and about 85 miles south of Los Angeles.  There are over 59,000 Oceanside homes with more being added daily.  The population of Oceanside exceeds 178,000.

The largest marine base in the US, Camp Penelton, provides homes for our heroes, with over 36,000 marines and their families, and covers over 125,000 acres. The influx of the marines and their families created a need for many Oceanside homes both on and off base. These young famalies mixing in the community make Oceanside’s medium population 33, one of the youngest in San Diego County.  I am proud to help find our service men and women San Diego Off-Base Housing.  See Camp Pendleton Off-Base Housing.  Much of San Diego North County started with the Oceanside history, specifically Mission San Luis Rey.

Oceanside Housing

Oceanside homes for sale include single family detached homes including Oceanside starter homes , tract homes, condos, town homes, row houses and ranch style estates. Major growth areas of new planned communities are in North Oceanside and east of the marine base. There are many newer Oceanside homes communities along both sides of El Camino Real, College Avenue, and in the San Luis Rey river valley east of the base.  Downtown Oceanside has under gone a major revitalization in recent years bringing businesses, tourist and more importantly, residents back to the area. The school district is the Oceanside Unified School District. It has 17 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools, 3 charter schools and 2 alternative schools. Continuing education courses are offered in the Oceanside real estate area at MiraCosta College and about 15 miles East in San Marcos at California State University at San Marcos and Palomar College.

Oceanside’s location makes it a commuter community to downtown San Diego and to Orange County, which is just north of San Diego County. Oceanside homes for sale are some of the most affordable in San Diego County. The median price is only about 2/3 of Carlsbad homes and Encinitas homes, the coastal cities to the south. This lower price is more affordable for marines, young couples, and retirees. Low property tax and the availability of land are the main contributing factors to the lower prices of Oceanside real estate. Although property tax varies by Oceanside neighborhoods, it is about 1.1% of the Oceanside homes value.
Historic Highway 101:  Drop off Interstate 5 at Oceanside and go to historic Highway 101.  It is a virtual living road museum, a step back in time.  From the Star Theater that epitomizes architecture from the 50’s to the Irving Gill designed Civic Center, you will see building after building from a by gone era unfold as you wind around the Oceanside real estate area coastline.  Cruise through downtown Oceanside that provides all the modern things, but with a touch of yesteryear.  California natives relish the opportunity to relive their childhood road trips on the 101.
Farmers Market:  The farmers market is held every Thursday morning in historic downtown Oceanside on Pier View Way.  It is a delightful way to mingle with the locals and to experience fresh, homegrown, organic produce, botanicals and scruptious baked goods.
Oceanside Pier:   At 1,954 feet, the Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the Pacific Coast. It was first built in 1888 at what is now Wisconsin Avenue. The original pier was destroyed by storms in the winter of 1890, and was rebuilt in 1893. A leisurely stroll out over the beautiful Pacific inspires one to unwind as they catch the beauty of Oceanside’s amazing coastline. Always “a buzz” with activity, Oceanside Pier serves as a recreational meeting place for both visitors and locals. In fact, over one million visitors each year enjoy all the pier has to offer. Fishermen, surfers, and tourists, young and old, gather to walk the pier, play in the surf, or simply relax in the sand for an unforgettable sunset.

The Pier Plaza offers a range of beach amenities that include everything from bike rentals and surf lessons to gourmet lattes and fresh squeezed lemonade. If you are hungry, you don’t want to miss Ruby’s Diner. Located at the end of the Pier, one of Ruby’s milkshakes makes for a great reward. Ruby’s is also a fantastic place to enjoy the Oceanside sunset. A shuttle is available for those who wish to enjoy the pier’s view and amenities, but find the walk a bit too long.

If fishing is your interest, the pier is a great place to cast your line. There are cleaning areas, pole rentals and a bait shop conveniently located right on the pier and you don’t even need a fishing license. And the good news, people are always catching something off the pier.  For active recreation or a promenade, for a quick bite or a hearty meal, or for some of the best and easy pier fishing in San Diego North County, enjoy the Oceanside Pier.

Other:  Oceanside offers many special events such as the Parade of Lights at the boat harbor during Christmas, a Summer Seagaze Concert,  the June opening of the beach celebration, Harbor Days, outdoor bazaars, and a weekly farmers market.   There are also many things to do in other parts of San Diego and Southern California.  Nearby attractions include Disneyland in Orange County, Legoland in Carlsbad, and in San Diego, the Zoo, Sea World, Birtch Aquarium, Old Town, The Wild Animal Park, and Balboa Park.

Businesses and Agriculture

The main businesses and sources of revenue in Oceanside are the military, tourism, manufacturing (such as biotech and recreational goods), and agriculture.   Oceanside is home to one of the State’s official welcome centers.  The California Welcome Center Oceanside provides local, regional, and state tourist info and maps.  The welcome center can be found at 928 North Coast Highway.  Oceanside is also home to the California Surf Museum.  The California Surf Museum strives to preserve the strong link between the ocean and lifestyles of the beach community. The Surf Museum is at 223 North Coast Highway. The Oceanside homes for sale area has the second most desirable climate in the United States with average temperatures ranging from 53 to 70 degrees.  This ideal mild temperature range is perfect for tomatoes, avocados, citrus fruits, nursery stock and flowers. 

Oceanside Area Transportation

Along the coast in Oceanside connecting San Diego and Los Angeles is a major transportation corridor served by Interstate 5 and Amtrak.  Metrolink also provide train service to Los Angles.  The Oceanside Regional Travel Center is a major hub for Greyhound, local buses, the north/south Coaster and Amtrak, and the east/west Sprinter which now connects Escondido, San Marcos, and Vista to the coast.  The Oceanside real estate area is also served by a small private airport east of Camp Pendleton.  Oceanside is about 36 miles from San Diego’s Lindberg Field, the regional airport.  Fifty miles north of Oceanside is John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
Over 55 seniors can enjoy retirement living at Ocean Hills Country Club Homes, Oceana Homes, Emerald Lake Village,  Pilgrim Creek, Peacock Hills, and Villa Trieste homes.   Market statistics on Oceanside homes are available by zip code:  92054, 92056, and 92057. See Oceanside’s Top Spots.  For more home information about Oceanside homes for sale, Oceanside ocean view homes, or Oceanside whitewater homes, contact Gary Harmon your top  Oceanside Realtor.    All content by .