Are you thinking about moving to Oceanside, California and want to know more about what the lifestyle and amenities are like? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve put together an article that gives you a comprehensive overview of everything Oceanside has to offer.
We cover things like cost of living and grocery shopping options so you can get a sense of what it’s like to live there. So, whether you’re planning to move to Oceanside or just curious, this article has got you covered.
About Oceanside California
Oceanside is a coastal city located in San Diego County, California. It is known for its 3.5 miles of beach, the longest stretch of beach in North County. Oceanside Pier is a popular tourist destination, as is the nearby Oceanside Harbor.
The city also has a historic downtown area with shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Oceanside is also home to Camp Pendleton, a major U.S. Marine Corps base. The population of Oceanside is around 175,000 people.
11 Neighborhoods in Oceanside California
Population in Oceanside California
Attractions in Oceanside California
What About Schools in Oceanside California?
Cost of Living In Oceanside California
Grocery Shopping in Oceanside California
Shopping Centers in Oceanside California
What Freeways Connect to Oceanside California?
People in Oceanside California
55+ Communities in Oceanside California
Golfing in Oceanside California
Hiking in Oceanside California
Popular Restaurants In Oceanside California
New Home Developments in Oceanside California
Oceanside has a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, each with its own unique character and amenities. Will review 10 neighborhoods in Oceanside.
San Luis Rey: Named after the San Luis Rey de Francia mission, this neighborhood features the San Luis Rey River Trail for walking and biking, and has a median home value of $550,000. The community also supports the military.
Ocean Hills: A gated senior living community, Ocean Hills offers median home values of $926,530 for single family homes that line the 18-hole golf course. Amenities include the golf course, pickleball courts, theater, pool and spa, fitness center, art studio, dog run, and restaurants.
Guajome: Home to a regional park, Guajome offers playgrounds, basketball courts, picnic areas, and restrooms while preserving space for wildlife. The population is 9,451, average income is $40,000, and average house ranges from $500,000 to $749,999.
Morro Hills: A suburban neighborhood with large to medium-sized houses and townhomes, Morro Hills has a median home value of $972,966 and has been recently re-zoned for industrial use to preserve the rural feel of the community.
North Valley: The median home value is $502,415 for medium to large single-family homes, population is 13,222, and average income is $80,000. This community has a park and tennis courts.
Eastside Capistrano: The median home value is $865,595 for medium to large sized houses, ranging from three to five bedrooms, and has several parks, including a skatepark.
Townsite: An urban neighborhood with small to medium-sized townhomes or apartments, Townsite has a median home value of $1,017,492 and offers a variety of food and grocery stores.
Fire Mountain: A suburban neighborhood with medium to small-sized houses with a median home value of $1,052,909, Fire Mountain offers larger lots and custom homes for a semi-rural feel.
South Oceanside: A coastal neighborhood with a median home value of $1,597,583, South Oceanside offers small to medium-sized apartments, high-rises, and single-family homes. The business district has recently undergone renovations with new restaurants and retail stores. This neighborhood also has a bowling alley, freshwater lagoon, and nature center.
Ivey Ranch: A new community currently under development, Ivey Ranch will feature new homes, a corporate park, and amenities such as soccer and baseball fields, parks, outdoor amphitheater, and parks.
Tri-City: Home to Mira Costa College and Tri-city Hospital, Tri-City has a population of 5,912, median home value of $400,000, top-notch schools, clean sandy beaches, and a growing business district.
Oceanside’s crime rate is in line with the national average, with a crime index of 23 out of 100. The chance of becoming a victim of property crime is 1 in 54.
According to data from the FBI, the overall crime rate in Oceanside is higher than the national average, with higher rates of both violent crime and property crime.
However, it’s important to note that crime can vary depending on the specific area of the city you are in. Some areas of the city may have higher crime rates than others.
As always, it’s a good idea to research crime statistics for the specific neighborhood you’re interested in, or check with local authorities for the most up-to-date information.
Where to search for crime:
Oceanside’s population is estimated at 172,982 (v2021) , with 24.2% between the ages of 35-54, 15.9% between the ages of 25-34, and 87% having graduated from high school.
via visitsandiego
Oceanside offers a variety of attractions for those living and visiting including beaches, the Mission San Luis Rey, the California Surf Museum, and more.
Here are 10 attractions in Oceanside
Beaches in Oceanside
The city offers over 3 miles of beautiful beaches with clear waters and wide expanse of sandy shoreline. The beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, paddleboarding, fishing and many other water sports. Oceanside also offers a great climate, with warm temperatures year-round, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Here are the beaches you want to check out.
Breakwater Beach: is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing, known for its clear waters and wide expanse of sandy shoreline. It also features a playground and picnic areas.
Cassidy Street Beach: offers a more secluded experience, with a smaller crowd and a picturesque view of the pier.
Oceanside Boulevard Beach: is a bustling location with a wide variety of amenities, including restrooms, showers, and concessions.
Pier View North and Pier View South: are both located near the Oceanside Pier and offer great views of the pier and ocean.
Tyson Street Beach: is a great spot for surfing, with a strong break that attracts experienced surfers.
Wisconsin Beach: is known for its calm waters and is a popular spot for swimming and paddleboarding.
If you’re thinking about having a family and want your kids to go to a good school, the Oceanside Unified School District serves the city of Oceanside, with 24 schools and a student population of 16,373. With an average class size of 23 students, test scores in the district are slightly below the state average.
For private education options, top-ranked schools in Oceanside include:
36% of private schools in the area are affiliated with a religious institution.
The cost of living in Oceanside is characterized by a median household income of $75,411. The most prominent industries in the area include retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The median home value is $763,428, with the typical home being a 2-3 bedroom single-family home.
Speaking of cost of living, here are the places where you can shop for groceries in Oceanside.
Knowing where to buy groceries is a big deal because you want to know where you can get your best ingredients for your favorite dishes. Here is the list of the groceries in Oceanside.
Albertsons
Frazier Farms
WinCo Foods
Walmart
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Start and Final Extra
Vons
El Super #45
Primo Market
Pappy’s Market
Stater Bros. Markets
Aldi
Ralphs
Grocery Outlet
El Camino North is a shopping and dining destination located near the Camp Pendleton Marine Corp. With 58 shops and restaurants to choose from, including:
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Boot Barn
Krispy Kreme
Yakima
Daiso Japan
Red Lobster
Chuck E Cheese
Famous Footwear
American Freight
Rose Dress for Less
Sleep Train
Munchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Great Clips
GameStop
Barnes & Noble
Chilis
Tilly’s
Ulta
Michaels
Buffalo Wild Wings
Wells Fargo
Union Bank
Texas Roadhouse
Firehouse subs
Jamba Juice
Men’s Warhorse.
Mission Marketplace is a shopping center that features a variety of stores such as:
Big Lots
Cox Communion
Omega Bicycle Shop
PetsSmart
Target
Five Below
GameStop
Ross
T-mobile
For food, this center has several options like:
Chipotle
El Pollo Loco
Mountain Mikes Pizza
Subway
McDonalds
Panpan Wok
It also has a Regal Cinemas, dental, fitness center, threading, Physical Therapy, Nail Salon, Barber Shop, Martial Arts, Pet Clinic and Bank.
Fire Mountain Center is a 23-store shopping center that includes:
The Broken Yolk
Fedex Office
Credit Union
Jack in the Box
Pacific Dental
Carbon Health
BevMo
Cleaners
Weight Watchers
At&T
China Fusion Restaurant
Chiropractor
Nail Salon
Martial Arts
Trader Joe’s
Fitness center.
The I-5 travels through Oceanside and connects to SR 76 and SR 78 within the city.
Single People in Oceanside California
16.9% of males and 13.8% of females in Oceanside are single.
Married Couples without Children in Oceanside
53.3% of married couples in Oceanside do not have children.
Families in Oceanside
26.7% of families in Oceanside have children.
If you are looking for affordable communities for individuals 55+ and over then check out these nice communities.
Golfing in Oceanside offers a variety of options for golf enthusiasts.
Here are a few options:
Arrowood Golf Course: This 18-hole public golf course offers a natural, open feel with natural areas next to the holes. They also have a bar and restaurant and provide an option for weddings and events. Located at 5201 Village Dr, Oceanside, California 92057, San Diego County.
Emerald Isle Golf Course: This 18-hole public course aims to provide a fast, fun and affordable golf experience. The course is dog-friendly and includes a putting green, chipping green and driving range. Rental golf carts or pull carts are available and there is a restaurant with beer and wine. Located at 660 S El Camino Real, Oceanside, California 92057.
Ocean Hills Country Club: This private 18-hole course is located in the Ocean Hills senior Community and is open to residents and their guests. Located at 4701 Leisure Village Way, Oceanside, California 92056, San Diego County.
El Camino Country Club: This private 18-hole course is considered to be the best in Oceanside, and has hosted PGA and LPGA tours. The course is natural and challenging, and the 100-acre property includes indoor and outdoor event options such as weddings or birthdays.
The El Camino Country Club also offers tennis courts and a pool and spa for non-golf activities. Located at 3202 Vista Way, Oceanside, California 92056, San Diego County.
Goat Hill: This 18-hole public golf course was the first in San Diego, built in the 1980s. The course also includes a full driving range, and a shot and disc golf course. Located on a hill at 2323 Goat Hill Drive, Oceanside, California 92054, San Diego County.
Oceanside Golf Course: This 18-hole public course is attached to Camp Pendleton and features a full grass driving range, restaurant and bar, and golf lessons. Located at 825 Douglas Dr, Oceanside, California 92054, San Diego County.
These are just a few of the golf options available in Oceanside, California.
For those of you looking for some great hikes check out the following areas:
Guajome Regional Park Trail is a 4.3-mile easy hike located in the regional park:
This trail is widely considered to be an easy route, and typically takes around 1 hour and 26 minutes to complete. The area is particularly popular among birders, hikers, and horseback riders, so you may encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and offers beautiful scenery at any time of the year. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but must be kept on a leash.
The Lake Calavera Via Riparian Park is a 4.9-mile moderate hike:
This trail is considered to be moderately challenging and usually takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes to complete. The area is particularly popular among mountain bikers and runners, so you may encounter other people while exploring. The ideal time to visit this trail is from September to June. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but must be kept on a leash.
The San Luis Rey River Trail:
This is a 8.8-mile easy hike located at Mance Buchanon Park, and the Cerro de la Calavera Loop. The trail is popular among birders, road bikers, and runners, however, it can be relatively quiet during non-peak hours, offering a chance for solitude. The trail is open year-round and offers beautiful scenery at any time. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but must be kept on a leash.
The Oceanside Public Library is located at 330 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054. The Mission Branch of the Oceanside Public Library is located at 3861 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058. Both libraries provide computer services, study and meeting rooms, as well as classes and groups such as baby story time, computer classes, homework help, and a writing club.
Calvary Chapel Church
New Song Community Church
Lighthouse Christian Church
Coast City Church
Parkside Church
Grace Church
Generation Church
LifePoint Church
At the The Cross Oceanside Church
Breakwater Community Church
Please keep in mind that this is a sample list and it might not be all the churches in Oceanside, also the order doesn’t represent any preference or ranking.
Popular Restaurants in Oceanside include:
Please note that this is a sample list and it might not be all the restaurants in Oceanside.
According to NewHomeSource there are 196 quick move-in new homes as of January 22, 2023. The new home development Cadence is being offered by KB Home.
According to their website they will be available in the Spring of 2023. However, they are taking reservations. If you like to find out how much you qualify to speak to one of our experts.
Before looking for a home in Oceanside it is best to find out how much home you can afford.
For example, the down payment can be a significant challenge for first-time homebuyers. Generally, a down payment is expected to be between 3% to 20% of the home’s purchase value, which can amount to a large sum, for example, $900K on a $3 million property.
However, there are multiple ways to obtain a mortgage even if you don’t have the full funds for a down payment. While conventional home loans typically have a down payment requirement, it’s worth considering other lending options such as:
It’s important to note that these loan programs may have specific requirements. Some loans may be designed to make home ownership more accessible for first-time buyers and may require that you have not purchased a new home in the preceding 36 months.
Similarly, VA loans will require that the principal borrower is a United States veteran with an honorable discharge from a branch of service.
VA Loan tip: Did you know that about 90% of all VA loans are made without a down payment. So, if you’re a veteran make sure you ask about those programs.
As you can see, Oceanside has a lot to offer, from great beaches to a diverse range of communities for all types of lifestyles, whether you’re looking for a beachy atmosphere or an urban suburb.
The city boasts a variety of public and private golf courses and even has a 55+ community for retirees. With excellent private schools, a wide selection of great restaurants, and a strong sense of community, Oceanside is a fantastic place to call home.
Are you ready to find out if you qualify for a loan in Oceanside?
Apply today!
