Ocean Beach
Salt air, sandy feet, zero pretension
What It's Like Here
Ocean Beach is the last true beach town in Southern California. No chain restaurants, no high-rises, no velvet ropes — just surfers, dogs, and neighbors who know each other by name.
Newport Avenue is the main drag, three blocks from our Bacon Street properties. Wednesday nights it transforms into one of San Diego's best farmers markets, with local produce, street food, and live music stretching down the block.
The pace here is deliberately slow. People walk to the beach in flip-flops, grab a taco on the way home, and watch the sunset from the pier. That's the whole plan.
Where to Eat
Cesarina
10 min walk
Authentic Italian with handmade pastas and a wine list that punches well above its weight. The kind of neighborhood restaurant where every dish feels like it was made by someone's Italian grandmother — because it was. Reservations recommended.
Blue Water Seafood
2 min walk
Fresh-off-the-boat seafood plates and fish tacos in a no-frills setting. The grilled fish plates are enormous, the prices are honest, and there's almost always a line out the door. Worth it every time.
OB Noodle House & Sake Bar
5 min walk
Vietnamese cuisine meets Asian fusion in a vibrant, lively atmosphere. The pho is rich and warming, and the sake selection is surprisingly deep. A local favorite for good reason.
Little Lion Cafe
10 min walk
A small, sunlit cafe perched at the corner of Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma Ave. Excellent for breakfast before exploring the cliffs. The portions are generous and the coffee is strong. Closed Tuesdays.
Elvira
5 min walk
Roman-style Italian from the same family behind Cesarina. Think wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, and a casual-but-quality vibe. One of the best dinner spots in OB.
La Doña
1 block walk
Highly rated Mexican restaurant with a recently renovated space. The mole is complex and layered, the margaritas are properly made, and the atmosphere feels like a celebration even on a Tuesday.
The 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro
2 min walk
French bistro food paired with a curated wine shop — pick a bottle off the shelf, pay retail plus a small corkage fee, and enjoy it with duck confit or steak frites. A genuinely clever concept.
Where to Drink
The Holding Company
Newport Ave
A three-story venue with live music, craft cocktails, and rooftop views of the Pacific. Each floor has its own energy — chill downstairs, louder as you climb. The sunset from the top floor is something else.
Winstons Beach Club
Newport Ave
Live music venue that's been a staple of OB nightlife for decades. Reggae, rock, funk — the lineup changes nightly. The sound system is surprisingly good for a beach bar.
Mike Hess Brewing
5 min walk
Local craft brewery with a rotating tap list and a relaxed, spacious taproom. The IPAs are excellent, and the outdoor seating catches a nice breeze on warm evenings.
Ocean Beach Brewery
Newport Ave
Neighborhood brewery with solid house beers and a no-fuss vibe. Grab a flight, sit on the patio, and settle in. No one's in a hurry.
What to Do
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
10 min walk from Lotus St
Sixty-eight acres of coastal bluffs, arches, and sea caves stretching along the Pacific. The golden hour here is legendary — the kind of sunset that makes you put your phone down and just watch. Gray whale watching in season.
Dog Beach
8 min walk
One of the most famous off-leash beaches in the country. Even if you don't have a dog, it's worth the visit just to watch dozens of happy retrievers sprint into the waves. Pure, unfiltered joy.
Ocean Beach Pier
5 min walk
The longest concrete pier on the West Coast. Walk out for panoramic ocean views, watch surfers catch waves below, or try your hand at fishing. The tidepools on the left side of the pier at low tide are a hidden bonus.
OB Farmers Market
Wednesdays, 4–8 PM
Every Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM, Newport Avenue shuts down for local produce, food vendors, and live music. This isn't a tourist market — it's where the neighborhood comes together. Arrive hungry.
Ocean Experience Surf School
Book ahead
Lessons for adults and kids, all levels. The instructors are patient, the waves are forgiving, and you'll be standing up by the end of your first session.
Cabrillo National Monument
10 min drive
Historic lighthouse and tidepools at the tip of Point Loma, with sweeping views of the bay, downtown skyline, and the Pacific. Small entry fee, big payoff. Allow two hours.
Hidden Gems
An's Electronics Repair
Newport Ave
A gelato shop disguised as an electronics repair store. No, seriously. Walk through the unmarked door into one of San Diego's best-kept secrets. Eight unique, rotating flavors daily.
Santa Cruz Cliffs
15 min walk from Lotus St
The locals' beach — a small cove accessible by stairs, tucked away from the crowds. Bring a towel and a good book. This is where OB residents go when they want the beach to themselves.
Benedict's Brunch
At Dog Beach entrance
Breakfast served out of an Airstream trailer at the entrance to Dog Beach. The line moves fast, the food is excellent, and the ocean is right there. A perfect OB morning.
Your Ocean Beach trip starts here
Browse Ocean Beach Stays
Every recommendation on this page comes from our team — the places we take our own friends and family when they visit. Book a stay and experience Ocean Beach like a local.
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