Oceanside Beach Surfing
Surfers find good surfing at a number of spots along Oceanside's 3½ miles of beach. One of the most popular spots is at Harbor Beach where the jetties produce a reliable break. Another great location is on either side of the pier (being mindful of the 100-foot no watersports zone on either side of the pier). It's an area that can get crowded in the summer.
Generally, swells from the west-southwest and the northwest produce some of the best waves.
Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
Surfing Competitions at Oceanside Beach
- November 11-12, 2023 - Western Surfing Association Championship Tour, South Harbor Jetty
- March 16-17 and October 14-15, 2024 - Western Surfing Association Championship Tour, South Harbor Jetty
Surfing Lessons and Camps
SoCal Surf School
Surf camps for beginners as young as 6 up through more experienced surfers. SoCal Surf School offers mini-camps, drop-in camps, and the traditional week-long camps, as well as private lessons. Camps begin in early June and extend through August. Meet at Harbor Beach. Instructors are CPR/First Aid Certified.
SoCal Surf School
Surf Ride Surf Camps
A weekly surf camp for ages 7 and older. Surf Camp helps children develop self-confidence, a respect for the ocean, and to interact with other campers and instructors, while improving their surfing skills. Children learn basic surfing skills, safety, and information about sea life. All of their instructors are CPR certified. Camp meets at the North Jetty at Harbor Beach. The first session begins in late June and the last ends in mid-August.
Surf Ride Surf Camps
Surfin Fire Surf Camps
Surfin Fire is located at the foot of the Oceanside Pier. They offer daily drop-in surf lessons for all ages. They have both private and group lessons, daily surf clinics and surf camps. Their surf camp teaches beach safety, ocean awareness, and the fundamentals of surfing. Week-long camps begin in early June and continue through August. They maintain a 4 to 1 student to instructor ratio.
Surfin Fire Surf Camps
Surfboard Rentals
Surf Ride Rentals
Surfboards, bodyboards, swim fins, and wetsuits, and stand-up paddleboards.
1909 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA
Surf Ride Rentals
Asylum Surf
Surfboard, bodyboard, wetsuit, and swim fin rentals.
310 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA
Asylum Surf Rentals
UP Sports
Rentals of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, body and skim boards, wetsuits
UP Sports
Oceanside Pier Attractions
Visitors to Oceanside enjoy strolling out the 1,942-foot-long pier for vistas of the surrounding area and a great vantage point to watch the nearby surfers. Nearby wildlife is often spotted from the pier. In the ocean watch for whales, dolphins, seals, and rays. Gulls and pelicans are often perched along the rails. Coin-operated binoculars are available for use. Benches, lights, and fish cleaning stations are also found along the pier.
Halfway out the pier are restrooms and a bait and tackle shop which sells and rents fishing supplies as well as selling snacks and beverages. At the end of the pier is Ruby's Diner, a 1950s style restaurant. The pier is open 24 hours a day.
Fishing on the Pier
Anglers do well all along the pier, landing a variety of fish. Among the catches are California halibut, mackerel, jacksmelt, white croaker, surfperch, guitarfish, corbina, and barracuda. Popular baits are anchovies, bloodworms, cut mackerel, and ghost shrimp. A separate, smaller Fishing Pier is located in the harbor.
Movies on the Pier
During the summer free movies are shown from time to time at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Junior Seau Beach Community Center
Junior Seau Beach Community Center is located below the pier. The facility includes a gym, meeting room, kitchen and stage. A variety of activities and events are held here every year ranging from basketball and volleyball to day camps and teen programs. Also found at the community center is the City of Oceanside Sports Office which coordinates by youth and adult community sports events and programs.
Oceanside Junior Lifeguards - 2024
The Oceanside Junior Lifeguard Program develops ocean and beach safety, lifesaving skills, and physical fitness. Participants enjoy beach games, and surfing.
Oceanside Junior Lifeguards is open to individuals ages 9 to 17. Registration opens in April. First-time participants must complete a swim test, offered at various dates in May and June at the Brooks Street Swim Center. The Junior Lifeguard Program has four sessions in 2024. Registration opens on April 1, 2024.
- Session 1: June 17 - July 11 2024 - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
- Session 2: June 18 - July 12, 2024 - Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM
- Session 3: July 15 - August 9, 2024 - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
- Session 4: July 16 - August 8, 20243 - Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM
Junior Lifeguards meet at Oceanside Harbor Beach.
Oceanside Junior Lifeguard Program
