Buccaneer Beach
Buccaneer Beach is Oceanside's smallest beach with a lifeguard tower (Tower 11); however, the beach offers other activities due to the park located across the street. Buccaneer Beach is located approximately one mile north of our city's southern border. During the summer months, the water directly in front of the lifeguard tower and between the rocks that border the neighboring homes is designated for swimmers, waders and body boarders only. As a safety precaution, this area is closed to surfing and is marked by two checkered flags and swim-surf signs. The area outside of the flags is open to surfing and to all other types of water activity.
Facilities: Buccaneer Park is located just across the street from the beach. The park has a large grass area, jungle gym, basketball court, picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, shower, snack bar and public telephone.
Parking: there is a free parking lot available directly across the street from the beach.
Directions: if you are traveling north on Interstate 5, take the Vista Way exit. From the exit, you will proceed west until you reach Coast Highway, turn right; continue to Cassidy Street and turn left. Cassidy Street will take you to Pacific Street; turn right on Pacific Street and travel half a mile to Buccaneer Beach.
If you are traveling south on Interstate 5, take the Cassidy Street exit west until you reach Pacific Street. Turn right on Pacific Street and travel half a mile to Buccaneer Beach.
Oceanside Boulevard Beach
Oceanside Boulevard offers more actual beach area than its neighbor, Buccaneer Beach. All along the beachfront, there are private homes facing the ocean. During the summer months there is an area directly in front of the lifeguard tower (Tower 9), approximately 200 ft., that is designated for swimmers, waders and body boarders only. For safety precautions, this area is closed to surfing and will be marked by checkered flags and swim-surf signs. There is a very large rock that sits in the surfline approximately 300 feet south of the lifeguard tower and can be seen at low tide.
Facilities: there are no restrooms located at this beach. There is a shower. The closest public restroom is either Buccaneer or Wisconsin Street beach.
Parking: parking is available along Pacific Street and other neighboring streets.
Directions: from Interstate 5, take the Oceanside Boulevard exit; go west to the beach and you will see Lifeguard Tower 9.
Wisconsin Street Beach
Wisconsin Street beach is located at Wisconsin Street and The Strand. The south strand is a one-way, southbound street that parallels the beach. There is a ramp just north of the lifeguard Tower 7 for access to the beach. This is Oceanside’s least frequented beach due to the beach being narrow. When the tide is high, the water often comes all the way up to the rocks, leaving very little or no beach at all. The ocean in this area is open to all water activities.
Facilities: there are restrooms, showers, and a public telephone.
Parking: a small pay parking lot is located directly behind the lifeguard tower on The Strand. There is also parking along Pacific Street.
Directions: from Interstate 5, take the Oceanside Boulevard exit, west. When you reach the beach, turn right. You will travel less than one mile to reach Wisconsin Street.
Tyson Street Beach and Park
Tyson Street beach, also known as Tyson Street Park, is within walking distance of the Oceanside Pier. Lifeguard Tower 5 is located here. Since the park is just a few feet from the beach, it is great for picnics. Stairs are provided for beach and park access from Pacific Street. Due to crowds in this area during the summer months, it is necessary to prohibit surfing here for the safety of swimmers and waders. The area will be marked with a black ball flag, checkered flags and swim-surf signs.
Facilities: restrooms, showers, and a public telephone are available. The park has a large grassy area, picnic tables, benches and a playground. There are also two available handicapped parking spaces on The Strand.
Parking: metered parking available on Pacific Street. The nearest parking lot is located one block east of Pacific Street and one block north of Tyson Street on the corner of Mission Avenue and Myers Street. Also, as mentioned, two handicapped parking spaces are available.
Directions: from Interstate 5, take the Mission Avenue exit, west. Proceed west on Mission Avenue to Pacific Street, turn left on Pacific Street and continue for about ½ mile until you reach Tyson Street.
Pier View South
The beach area south of the Oceanside Pier is Oceanside’s most popular beach. If you don’t mind crowds, you will be comfortable here. Surfing, body boarding and body surfing contests are held at the Oceanside Pier throughout the summer. There are also various events that are held in the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. The pier itself is a beautiful walk and a popular fishing spot as well. Due to the number of beachgoers in this area, there are two lifeguard towers relatively close together. Lifeguard Tower 1 sits directly south of the pier and Tower 3 sits approximately 300 feet south of Tower 1. During the summer months, the area from Tower 1 south is closed to surfing most of the day. The area will be marked with a black ball flag as well as swim-surf signs and black-and-white checkered flags that indicate the boundaries. The surfing area is from Lifeguard Tower 1 to 100 feet from the pier and is closed to all other water activities. No water activity is allowed within 100 feet of the pier. It is easy to determine the 100-foot line by looking to the shore and locating two black and yellow signs. If 100 feet or more from the pier, the signs will read OK. If someone is within 100 feet of the pier, the signs will read KO, as in Keep Out. The 100-foot rule is a safety precaution and is a strictly enforced City ordinance.
Facilities: the pier area has a lot to offer. Many covered picnic tables, benches and barbecues are available, as well as some fire rings on the sand. Restrooms and showers are provided. Payphones and vending machines are located under the pier, in front of the Beach Community Center. A McDonald’s stand and other vending stands are also located under the pier. The pier itself offers fishing, a bait shop, payphones and restrooms. At the end of the pier is the 50’s diner, Ruby’s.
Parking: there are pay parking lots located south and north of the pier. Another pay parking lot is located one block east of Pacific Street on Mission Avenue and Myers Street. There is also metered parking available on Pacific Street.
Directions: from Interstate 5, take the Mission Avenue exit, west. Continue until you reach Pacific Street and you will be in the pier area.
Pier View North
The beaches north of the Oceanside Pier have much more sand than those south of the pier and provide more space for those visiting the beach. Due to the Pier Amphitheater being situated on the south side of the pier, there are fewer activities and events that occur on the north side and the pier. This often makes for a quiet, more relaxed atmosphere.
There are two lifeguard towers north of the pier (Towers 2 and 4). During the summer months, an area is closed to surfing (blackballed) but open for all other water activities. The surfing and swimming area will always be marked with checkered flags and swim-surf signs.
Facilities: Volleyball courts are located on the sand; you must provide your own net and ball. The Oceanside Beach Community Center is located just north of the pier on The Strand. Several programs and activities are held here throughout the year.
Parking: one very small, pay parking lot, which usually fills up rather quickly in the summer, is located just north of the pier. There is metered parking along Pacific Street. Other pay parking lots are located on the corner of Mission Avenue and Myers Street, and on Surfrider Way, ½ block east of Pacific Street.
Directions: From Interstate 5, take the Mission Avenue exit, west; continue on Mission Avenue approximately 1.5 miles to Pacific Street and Oceanside Pier will be on the right. There is beach access from Pacific Street at the pier and Surfrider Way.
Breakwater Way
This is a quiet, family beach located just south of Oceanside Harbor. It is popular with surfers and volleyball players. Surfers, however, will have to walk down to the jetty in the summer months when the beach is closed to surfing in front of Lifguard Tower 8. The river jetty is where the San Luis Rey River meets the ocean. A sandbar is often formed here and creates a good surf break. The area at the river mouth is usually one of Oceanside’s least populated beaches. This is partly because it is open for surfing only, and because it’s a bit of a walk from the parking areas. Children often like to play in the river mouth; this is not advised because it poses a safety concern due to the strong currents and the potential for high levels of bacteria in the river.
Facilities: Breakwater Way has showers and restrooms, some picnic tables and barbecue grills. There is also a volleyball court.
Parking: a pay parking lot is located east of Pacific Street. There is also metered parking along Pacific Street.
Directions: from Interstate 5, take the Coast Highway exit, west; turn left onto Coast Highway. Travel two blocks to Surfrider and turn right. When you reach Pacific Street, turn right and continue three blocks to Breakwater Way. The pay parking lot will be on the east of Pacific Street.
Harbor Beach
Beautiful Harbor Beach is Oceanside's largest beach, offering everything from surfing to volleyball. The Oceanside Harbor, adjacent to Harbor Beach, has many amenities including the Marina Inn Hotel and a variety of shops. In the harbor, you can sail, spend the day on a deep-sea fishing boat, whale watch, rent kayaks or visit the marina. Fishing is an option from the jetties. Harbor Beach has three lifeguard towers, Towers 12, 14, 16. Tower 12, at the south end of Harbor Beach, is nearest the south jetty; Tower 14 is situated in the middle of the beach, and Tower 16, at the north end of Harbor Beach, is nearest the north jetty. Harbor Beach is a beautiful venue that has something to offer everyone.
Facilities: the area behind each lifeguard tower has picnic tables, barbecue grills, gazebos and showers. There are restrooms and telephones, a snack bar and some volleyball courts (you supply the net and ball). There are 24 fire rings along Harbor Beach.
Parking: there are a number of parking lots in the Harbor beach area.
Directions: From Interstate 5, take the Harbor Drive exit, west; Harbor Drive will take you directly to the entrance of the Harbor.
Beach and Pier Rules and Regulations:
- Glass: All glass containers are prohibited
- Alcohol: Alcohol is prohibited on all City beaches, jetties, the pier, and all parking lots.
- Dogs: All dogs are prohibited on all City beaches throughout the year. You may walk your dog on a leash on The Strand.
- Fire Rings: Fires are allowed in designated City fire rings ONLY. No fires are allowed from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily. There is no curfew on fire rings at Harbor Beach. All wood must be no longer than 30 inches in length and must not be allowed to rise above the height of the fire ring more than 2 feet. You must attend your fire at all times. Any unattended wood will be removed and disposed of. No chemically treated wood is allowed. The use of pallets is forbidden. Do not cut or break apart wood on the beach, street, walkways, or parking areas. When finished, extinguish embers or fires with WATER ONLY – NOT SAND! If you wish to bring your own barbecue, it must be elevated off the ground. Coals must be removed or disposed of in the hot-coal container located at Tyson Street Park, or Harbor Lot 12 on Harbor Beach, across the street from the Harbor Fishing Pier, or in a fire ring.
- Swimming and Surfing Areas: All swimming and body boarding areas are marked with a black-and-yellow checkered flag. If you wish to surf with a hard surfboard you must be outside of this area. A yellow flag with a black dot identifies a swimming-only area.
- Camping: Overnight camping is allowed in the Harbor Beach area in Parking Lot 11B year round. Overnight camping is allowed in Parking Lot 12 September 15 to May 15 only. Pay parking lot fees are $5.00 from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., $10.00 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., a total of $15.00 per day. No reservations. Camping is on a first come, first serve basis. There is a 5 night limit in any 30 day period. Pop outs, slide outs, and awnings are not allowed. No Tents Allowed! Barbeques and stoves are not allowed in parking lot area, landscaped areas or sidewalks. Barbeques and stoves can be used on the beach proper. No portable fire pits are allowed.
- Pier Regulations: No dogs, alcohol, glass containers, bike riding, roller blading, overhead casting, sitting on the rails, or jumping off the pier. When in the water, you must remain at least 100 feet away from the pier at all times. Paddling through or shooting the pier on a surfboard is prohibited.
- Picnic Areas: All picnic areas and fire rings are first-come, first-served. You cannot hold your spot with a "Beach Chair"; there must a person standing by.
- Unloading and Loading a Vehicle: Parking your car on the strand is prohibited at all times. If you wish to load and unload your vehicle, you may use a turnaround, such as the one at "Surfrider" and The Strand.
Ocean Safety Tips
Beach and Water Safety
- Learn to swim
- Swim near a lifeguard
- Never swim alone
- Don’t rely on your flotation device, such as a raft or body board; you may lose it
- Never attempt to swim when you have been drinking alcohol
- Look for the designated swim area marked by the black-and-white checkered flag and sign. If unsure, ask the nearest lifeguard.
- Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances
Rip currents – how to recognize, avoid, and survive!
Waves are caused by the winds in storms at sea. The waves from different storms in the ocean combine to make surf on a beach. Waves are grouped together in sets. During the winter, storms are usually in the North Pacific, and during the summer, many storms are near the equator or Southern Hemisphere.
Waves hit the beach at angles; as a result, this energy creates a current called the long shore current. The long shore current flows along the coastline; it can be recognized by watching the foam in the water. Swimmers or debris near shore drift in it. During the summer, the long shore current usually flows north and in the winter, moves south. After a set of waves break, a lot of water and energy is pushed towards the shoreline. This displaced water will move along the beach with the long shore current until it finds its way back out to sea; this causes the rip current. RIP CURRENTS are narrow, river-like currents that have been fed by the long shore current and sets of waves. Rip currents are between 50 feet and 50 yards wide and can flow up to hundreds of yards past the surf line. You can easily spot a rip current by its foamy and choppy surface. The water in a rip current can be dirty brown (from the sand being turned up) and moves rapidly out to sea.
If you are caught in a rip current – do not panic. The rip current will not pull you under. Call or wave for assistance or swim parallel to shore with the long shore current until you are out of the rip, then swim directly towards shore.
If you cannot recognize the long shore current or a rip current, talk to the lifeguard. If you cannot swim an overhand stroke for 15 minutes, you should not be in the ocean any deeper than your waist. The Oceanside Lifeguard Service recommends that visitors to the beach take swimming lessons to develop their swimming skills before placing themselves in challenging ocean conditions.
The ocean is a wonderful playground. Avoid its dangers by understanding its ways and being strong enough to enjoy it safely.
Sun Protection
It pays to avoid the rays. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (i.e. ordinary sunlight, can lead to numerous health problems including skin cancer, cataracts and an altered immune system (which is responsible for fighting infection). UV radiation can also make your skin look old before its time by causing wrinkles and loss of elasticity. These changes can appear in your twenties if you have spent your childhood unprotected from the sun. The environment, as well as the season and time of day, determine the amount of UV rays you receive. For example, UV rays are more intense in areas closer to the equator and on mountaintops. UV rays are also more intense during the summer and at mid-day. Try to limit your direct sun exposure by planning activities early in the morning or later in the day. If you enjoy recreational activities such as water and snow sports, keep in mind that water, snow, ice and even sand reflect UV rays. This reflection of UV rays virtually doubles the amount of exposure you receive and can cause severe sun damage if you are unprotected. As the earth’s ozone layer decreases over the years, the amount of UV radiation will increase and so will your risk for skin cancer. No one is "safe" from the sun’s damaging UV rays! Even dark-skinned people are susceptible to the damaging effects of sun exposure, but you are at greatest risk if you:
- Have fair skin, light eye and hair color
- Sunburn or freckle easily
- Have suffered a blistering sunburn as a child
- Have a family history of skin cancer
- Have already had skin cancer
- Have a large number of moles or unusual ones that are irregular in size, shape or color
- Work outdoors
- Participate on a regular basis in outdoor activities such as golfing, swimming, hiking, gardening
Cover Up
Although sunscreen blocks much of the sun, added protection is beneficial. When outside, protect yourself by wearing a shirt with sleeves to protect your shoulders. Also, wear a cap or a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and ears. And, don’t forget a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes!
Seals and Sea Lions
What is the difference between seals and sea lions?
The scientific name for seals, sea lions, and walruses is Pinnipedia. Its Latin root means "fin-footed" and refers to the modification of limbs to flippers. Pinnipeds have four flippers – one pair in front and one pair in back.
Pinnipeds share five common characteristics with other mammals: they’re warm-blooded, give birth, nurse their young, breathe air, and have hair. Since they live in the marine environment and they find their food at sea, pinnipeds are called marine mammals. Other marine mammals include whales and sea otters.
Although they spend most of their lives in the water, pinnipeds, unlike whales and dolphins, are also dependent upon land. Pinnipeds may come ashore periodically to rest and bask in the sun, and at least once a year, during their breeding season, most species congregate on beaches to give birth and to breed.
Seals:
Seals are smaller and have a sleeker, torpedo type of shape. They move with a rhythmic sliding or shuffling motion, and they don’t use their flippers to support their body. Harbor seals are very shy and rarely bark.
Sea Lions:
Sea lions are larger, with longer flippers and are very vocal. They can support themselves on their two front flippers and actually walk. They are more territorial and aggressive than seals. Give sea lions a wide berth.
Why do they come ashore?
These animals need to come ashore for many reasons. Most of the time, they rest on jetties or other objects out to sea, like large buoys or large rocks. When the surf is large and stormy, they might come to shore to rest or to get warm. At times, they come to shore if they are sick or lost.
What can I do to help if they come to shore?
Nothing! Please don’t approach these animals. They can be very territorial and they bite! If you see one on the beach, please call the lifeguard service closest to your city. You should remain a safe distance from them at all times, and leave them alone. Keep in mind they have very sharp teeth and may bite if cornered or harassed.
What laws apply?
The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it a violation of Federal Law to interfere in any way with the natural behavior of the marine mammals. If your actions cause the animals to alter their behavior, you may be found in violation of this law. To report violations, advise the on-duty lifeguard service or call the National Marine Fisheries at (619) 557-5994 or (310) 980-4049.
Jellyfish
Over 200 different species of jellyfish are found throughout the world’s oceans and seas. Although they don’t often appear in Oceanside, we want to share a little bit about them. They are also known as invertebrates, animals lacking backbones. They belong to the phylum Cnidaria (ny-DARE-ee-uh). They come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from the thimble, to the spherical jellyfish of the Caribbean, to the largest jellyfish of them all, Arctic lion’s mane, whose tentacles may stretch over 100 feet in length.
Jellyfish are over 95 percent water and have no heart, blood, or gills. Despite limited sense organs, jellyfish can smell, taste, and remain balanced in the water. Jellyfish also have light-sensing organs around the bell rim, and although jellyfish cannot detect objects, they can distinguish light from dark. Jellyfish can sense smell and tastes using chemoreceptors. Touch receptors on the tentacles, oral arms, and around the mouth sense movement and help jellyfish find food. In addition to swimming, jellyfish are carried by wind, waves, and currents. They swim using jet propulsion. Special muscles called coronal muscles, embedded on the underside of the bell, push water out of the hollow bell. As water is pushed in one direction, the jellyfish moves in the opposite direction. Jellyfish are most known for, and avoided for, stinging cells located on the tentacles and other body parts. The stinging cell consists of a capsule with a sensory hair, a lid and an interior nematocyst, (nee-MAT-o-sist) which actually stings, captures and subdues prey.
Even a jellyfish that has washed ashore should not be handled, since moist nematocysts may still fire. The stings of some jellyfish may be quite painful, causing mild rashes. Although feared by swimmers, most jellyfish are harmless to human beings. In fact, these graceful creatures can benefit people and should be appreciated. Several different kinds of jellyfish are being used to treat certain cancers and heart diseases.
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