From Wikitravel Shared

Oceanside is a large city on the Pacific coast of northern San Diego County, California.

[edit] Get in

Oceanside is located along Interstate 5 and and is the western terminus of California Highways 76 and 78. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, COASTER, and Metrolink all serve Oceanside.

[edit] By plane

Nearby Palomar Aiport (ICAO: KCRQ) in Carlsbad has a few commercial flights.

Most commercial passengers land at San Diego International Airport. Take San Diego Transit's Route 992 bus from the airport to the Santa Fe Depot and connect to the COASTER or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.

For private pilots, Oceanside Airport (ICAO: KOKB) is located just east of town on Highway 76.

[edit] By rail

From San Diego, take the COASTER or Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner from the Santa Fe Depot or the Old Town Transit Center.

From Los Angeles or Orange County, take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink's Orange County Line.

[edit] Get around

• North County Transportation District (NCTD) is the main bus service, [1].
• College Blvd., Mission Avenue, El Camino Real, Coast Highway, Vista Way, and Oceanside Blvd. are the major arteries in Oceanside, as well as I-5, CA-76, and CA-78.
• You can walk anywhere downtown if arriving by train or bus. Many restaurants, a 16-plex movie theater, and the beach are within a few blocks.

[edit] See

• A good draw for Oceanside is its sandy ocean beach with convenient facilities, multiple lodging options, and a good amount of accessible parking.
• Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is a mission from the Spanish colonization of America. It is located off the Rancho del Oro turnoff from California State Route 76.

[edit] Do

• Eat breakfast at one of Oceanside's many restaurants on Coast Highway and walk to the harbor (farther) or pier (closer) and back to work it off.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Eat

• Cafe 101 is located at the intersection of Coast Highway and Wisconsin Street. Classic diner food with great burgers and shakes. Make sure to have some of John's chocolate cake.
• Hill Street Cafe is located on Coast Highway and serves great-tasting, organic, healthy food. Don't let this scare you because the food is incredible. Everything is "homemade" and has great flavor. Originally started as a coffee house in the early 90's, the menu has grown to include Mexican specialties, "California-Cusine", seafood, pastas, and whatever Dan fixes today. Make sure to try the Rippin' Fish Soup.
• The Longboarder Cafe is arguably the best place in Oceanside for a true-California breakfast experience. It's four blocks from the pier, across Coast Highway from the California Surf Museum, and makes for a great place to start your morning in downtown "O".
• The Flying Bridge is one of Oceanside's best kept secrets. This restaurant used to be one of the stops for people coming down from LA who were heading to Del Mar or Mexico. It was purchased by new owners recently who completely renovated the building without removing any of the character. Located just north of the 76/Coast Highway interchange across from the Oceanside "Welcome Sign". Be sure to order the Fried Avocado. This restaurant specialty is a great appetizer.
• Anita's is located on Coast Highway and Michigan Street one block away from the train station. This home-style Mexican restaurant has a variety of menu items. You'll love the Margaritas and the carnitas.
• There are several restaurants in the harbor area including Rockin' Baja Lobster, Fish-N-Chips, Crabby Bob's, Monterey Cannery, and the Jolly Roger.
• Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill - A chain of unique restaurants spanning California and several other western states, has its roots in the San Diego area. And is headquarterd in Carlsbad. Any trip to San Diego can't be complete without trying an Original Fish Taco from Rubio's. They are located at the intersection of College Blvd. and Oceanside Blvd. http://www.rubios.com
• Ruby's is a 1940s-style diner located on the end of the Oceanside Pier. You might have to wait a bit for a table, but the food is good and the atmosphere is nice. If you're lucky, you can get a seat by a window at sunset, and watch the sun go down over the ocean as you eat.

[edit] Drink

• Any martini at the Flying Bridge.

[edit] Sleep

• Best Western Marty's Valley Inn, 3240 E Mission Avenue, +1 760 757-7700, Toll-free: +1 800 747-3529, Fax: +1 760 439-3311, [2].
• Holiday Inn Express, 3170 Vista Way, +1 760 757-2200, [3].
• Motel 6, 3708 Plaza Drive, +1 760 941-1011, Fax: +1 760 941-5608, [4].
• Motel 6 Oceanside Downtown, 909 North Coast Highway, +1 760 721-1543, Fax: +1 760 721-1826, [5].

[edit] Get out

• Check out the Oceanside Municipal Golf Course. From CA-76 go north on Douglas Drive to the golf course on the left (after North River Road).

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!