WELCOME TO OCEAN BEACH
Ocean Beach is a beautiful beachfront community located off Interstate 8 to San Diego’s northeast. Often referred to as ‘O.B.,’ Ocean Beach was originally named Mussel Beach due to the abundance of ocean creatures in the area. Ocean Beach was first developed as a resort community in the late 1800s. Since then, it has grown into a relaxed seaside neighborhood with a small-town vibe.
Ocean Beach real estate includes charming bungalows, cottages, and condominiums, along with gorgeous single-family homes located on the oceanfront or atop hills with incredible ocean views. Properties are situated on quiet residential streets and are often within walking distance of Ocean Beach’s charming downtown and the sandy shoreline.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Charming downtown
- Surfing hotspot
- Variety of annual events
PEOPLE & LIFESTYLE
Residents love Ocean Beach for its relaxed pace of life and blissful beach-centric vibe. Ocean Beach is known as a popular surfing spot, and there also parks and bike trails, adding to the opportunities locals have to get out and enjoy the great year-round weather. Calmer than many other San Diego neighborhoods, Ocean Beach has the casual feel of a small town while being within easy reach of San Diego’s more bustling urban areas. O.B. has many murals scattered throughout the community, connecting residents through art and capturing the neighborhood’s vibe through original large-scale paintings. The initiative was started by artist Rich James in 1999 and has become a fixture within the region. With the average annual income just shy of $100,000, Ocean Beach is an affluent community, with most people working white collar jobs. The area is also dominated by independent retailers, so locals have the opportunity to shop at unique, family-owned shops rather than large chains.
DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING
Newport Avenue is Ocean Beach’s main downtown strip, full of charming, locally-run businesses including a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and surf stores. French bistro-style Bo-beau is a great place to sample the famous mussels that the area was once named after, with patio seating and an intimate interior. Other highlights include hearty burgers at Hodad’s, fish tacos at South Beach Bar & Grille, German beers and cuisine at Kaiserhof, and pizza and craft beer at Pizza Port. You can also pick up fresh organic produce at Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Cooperative or the farmers market, which is held every Wednesday evening.
THINGS TO DO
The beach is a huge part of O.B.’s appeal, with Newport Avenue Beach being among the most popular in San Diego. The World Surfing Championships used to take place here in the 1960s, and you can still find surfers of all ability levels taking on its breaks. The beach is also popular with photographers, as there are a myriad of beautiful landmarks to capture.O.B. also has one of the world’s first dedicated off-leash beaches at Dog Beach, so you and your furry friend can enjoy the sun and sand together. Other activities within O.B. include Robbs Field Skate Park, which has 40,000 square feet of concrete for rollerblading and skateboarding. Events take place in O.B. throughout the year, including a very popular Street Fair and Chilli Cook-off, Kite Festival, Christmas Parade, Canine Carnival, live jazz festival, and Oktoberfest.Ocean Beach Library and Strand Theater are both designated historic landmark buildings, and a trip to them can give you a sense of the area’s architectural past. Though Strand Theater is no longer operating, Ocean Beach Library is still fully functioning and hosts many educational events throughout the year.
SCHOOLS
Ocean Beach is zoned to the San Diego Unified School District, giving residents access to a variety of excellent options. Highlights include:
- Warren-Walker School, Private, PK-8
- Ocean Beach Elementary, Public, K-4
- Silver Gate Elementary, Public, K-4
- Sunset View Elementary, Public, K-5
- Corriera Middle, Public, 7-8
