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Overall, San Diego's Ocean Beach gets a score of 5.7/10. It is a good place to visit if you're looking to have access to a lot of amenities, catch some waves, or enjoy a drink with an ocean view. The overall rating was brought down by parking, crowds, and beach cleanliness. However, there are a lot of amenities available close to the beach, as it is a relatively small area.
Overall Score: 5.7/10
Let’s dive deeper into the individual scores, as well as waterfront accommodation, dining, and activities in Ocean Beach.
Parking: 5/10
There are parking lots as well as street parking in Ocean Beach available.
For the parking lots, there are three main parking lots in Ocean Beach right along the beach that are available to park in for free.
The first one is the biggest lot which is off of W Point Loma Blvd. and Voltaire St. This is North Ocean Beach and right next to Dog Beach as well.
The second one is off of Abbott St. next to the main lifeguard tower that runs into Santa Monica Avenue. This is the smallest lot, and it will be filled up quickly. This lot is closer to the pier, restaurants, and downtown area of OB.
The third lot is right next to the pier where Abbott St. turns into Newport Avenue, and it is also as close as you can get to the main downtown strip of OB with all the restaurants and shops, as well as being directly on the beach, so this lot will be crowded as well.
There are a lot of residential streets towards the Northern part of Ocean Beach, so that will be the best bet for street parking. Since it's also further away from the activity of the shops and restaurants, there is naturally less people and traffic there.
The OB Farmer's market is on Wednesdays, so it can be harder to find parking on these days as well.
Crowds: 5/10
The beach tends to feel less crowded in the north part of OB or near Dog Beach, most likely due to there being less amenities and restaurants available. Additionally, the beach is much wider and more spacious in this area.
The south stretch of beach around the main lifeguard tower and towards the pier are more narrow. These sections of the beach feel crowded very quickly and often, especially during high tide.
Amenities: 7/10
There are a good amount of amenities available in Ocean Beach. From grass areas, benches, shops, restaurants, cafes, water sport rentals, hotels, bathrooms, showers, and more, there is plenty at your disposal.
You'll either be about a few minutes' walk from these amenities (if you're in South OB) or no further than about a 10 minute walk if you're in North OB. Either way, there is very close access to everything, as it is a small area with a lot packed in.
Safety: 6/10
The beach is considered relatively safe, with lifeguards patrolling the area to ensure visitors' well-being.
With any natural environment, there are inherent risks, and visitors should exercise caution, especially in highly trafficked areas like the beach and ocean with a lot of people coming and going from the area.
Since the downtown OB area falls directly into the beach be sure to look after your belongings and not to leave anything unattended that you wouldn't want to be stolen.
Beach Cleanliness: 5/10
It's not uncommon to find pieces of trash in certain parts of the beach or in the seaweed that has washed to shore.
For the most part the beach is generally clean, and has average cleanliness throughout.
The sections of beach towards the pier and downtown OB are more susceptible to littering as they are often more trafficked and it's a smaller stretch of beach.
Overall, beach cleanliness is typical and what you'd expect for a beach close to the downtown OB area in the south part, while feeling cleaner in the north part of the beach.
Water Quality: 6/10
The water quality in Ocean Beach is generally safe for swimming.
Like all San Diego beaches, it is advisable to avoid entering the water for at least 72 hours after heavy rainfall.
Activities: 6/10
There are multiple activities available in Ocean Beach, the main ones being swimming, boogie boarding, and surfing.
Surfing is popular for both beginners and experienced surfers here.
There are also volleyball poles available throughout the beach in the North stretch, allowing visitors to set up nets and play volleyball if they like.
Oceanfront Accommodation
Vacation Rentals
Staying in vacation rentals from sites like VRBO, Airbnb, Homestay, etc. can be a great choice in Ocean Beach, and there are typically options available. There might be more limited choices for rentals directly on the beach or with views of the water though. If you are traveling with a big family or group of people, it could be beneficial to have the extra space of a house; a lot of them do have patios, balconies, or rooftop decks with unobstructed views of the ocean.
Hotels
Ocean Villa Inn - Located directly next to Dog Beach, Ocean Villa Inn offers rooms with ocean or courtyard views, an outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and pet-friendly options.
Ocean Beach Hotel - A boutique hotel centrally located near Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach Hotel features stylish rooms with ocean or city views, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, on-site dining, complimentary breakfast, fitness center, and concierge services.
The Inn at Sunset Cliffs- Nestled atop cliffs, The Inn at Sunset Cliffs boasts panoramic ocean views, cozy rooms with private balconies, a tranquil courtyard, outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and access to a secluded beach cove. (Technically, it's not in Ocean Beach, but it's just a mile and a few minutes' drive away).
There are other hotels and vacation rentals located in or near Ocean Beach that are near shops and restaurants, but don't provide views of the ocean or beach. Check out Expedia or Hotels.com to see what else might be available.
Oceanfront Dining
South Beach Bar & Grille - South Beach Bar & Grille serves lunch and dinner. It offers seafood and Californian cuisine, often with a beachy vibe and has partial views of the ocean.
OB Surf Lodge - OB Surf Lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers American fare and cocktails, and it has direct views of the ocean, providing a scenic dining experience.
Wonderland Ocean Pub - Wonderland Ocean Pub serves lunch and dinner. It's known for its panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and diverse menu, offering stunning ocean vistas.
O'Bistro Cafe - O'Bistro Cafe serves breakfast and lunch. It's a cozy spot with limited but beautiful ocean views, perfect for a relaxed morning or midday meal..
Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach - Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach specializes in seafood and offers a variety of dishes for lunch and dinner with a coastal flair and ocean views.
There are several other restaurants and cafes located in Ocean Beach, but only the ones offering views of the water were included.
Ocean-Related Activities/Tours
Small Group Cave Tour Adventure from Sunset Cliffs - Explore hidden sea caves on this guided cave tour at Sunset Cliffs. Tours include a variety of terrain including tide pools, shallow ocean waters, rocky shores, remote beaches, steep cliffs, and more. These are physical adventures suitable for hikers with moderate experience and ability.
Surf Lessons - Try catching some waves at one of the surf schools in Ocean Beach offering group and private lessons for all experience levels. Both San Diego Surf School and Ocean Beach Surf School are highly rated.
Luxury Picnic at Sunset Cliffs - Your luxury picnic is set up with incredibly comfortable seating and unforgettable views. Every detail that goes into your picnic is designed to be amazing for celebrating a birthday, anniversary, proposal, bachelorette, family gathering, or other special occasion.
Head over to nearby Mission Beach for:
Whale Watching - Set out on one of the Whale Watching Tours that leaves from Mission Bay and see different types of whales and hundreds of dolphins. There are many different group tours and private tours available. There's even a sunset tour too!
Sunset Sail on the Bay - Enjoy a nice sunset cruise sailing around the bay. Take in the beautiful surroundings during golden hour and sit back and relax!
Parasailing - Have you ever wondered what the coastline looks like from above? Enjoy a relaxing parasail ride and see for yourself. Tours depart from Mission Bay.
Scuba Diving - Take off on a scuba diving adventure and see what's below. The boat departs from Mission Bay.
Helicopter Tours - Soar above the ocean on a helicopter tour and see what things look like from above.
Bonfires - Nothing better than enjoying a bonfire on the beach after the sun goes down to end the day! There are several companies that will set everything up for you and all you'll have to do is show up.
Bike Rentals - Do you like to ride bikes? Have fun riding a bike along the boardwalk as you take in the ocean views. There is also an informative bike tour along Mission Bay and Mission Beach that you can sign up for.
Don't forget you can always enjoy beach games such as volleyball, spike ball, and more when at the beach!
For further information and tips, please refer to our full beach review linked here.
If you have any questions, or if you'd like clarification on anything, please feel free to leave a comment or send us a message!
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