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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature: San Diego's Ocean Beach


Ocean Beach is a throwback to ‘60s culture. Its pier, antique shops and power-to-the-people attitude make it a truly unique spot on the map. Take in a sunset on busy Newport Avenue or at local landmark Sunset Cliffs.

Ocean Beach is a small beach community a few miles northwest of downtown San Diego. Ocean Beach is about as unpretentious as San Diego beach living gets. Sunny days are punctuated with the occasional jet roaring overhead, the barking of happy dogs partying at Dog Beach, waves pounding the coastline of Sunset Cliffs. It's a place where Halloween and New Year's Eve are high holy days, and the Ocean Beach Chili Cook Off, the Christmas Parade, and the 4th of July fireworks show are annual traditions.
San Diego's Ocean Beach the place to enjoy california nature at the beach Ocean Beach is home to sunbathing, surfing, fishing, sailing, shopping, pier strolling and lots of fun. When we took a photo of surfer at Ocean Beach "OB", it was so popular that photograph appeared across the Sandiegopoly game board!  Locals equate OB with surfing. But they also think of Dog Beach, volleyball, sunbathing, pier fishing, shopping and most of all the beach.

Though San Diego's Ocean Beach is located across the bay within view of the popular Sea World theme park, visitors might never see this friendly neighborhood hangout known as "OB".  Seven miles west of downtown, it is home to the southernmost public beach on the Point Loma peninsula.  Two tourist favorites, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, garner greater attention. And though many have tried to turn Ocean Beach into a similar commercial success, it's geographic location makes it less accessible, and ultimately, more popular to locals. With SeaWorld just two miles away, and within view from Ocean Beach, there's a lot to love about San Diego's neighborhood with its own events, associations, and personality that's slightly beach funky.
It is fitting that Ocean Beach, with a primary artery named Voltaire Street, maintains a unique  character and independent identity reminiscent of French author Voltaire's philosophy.  A tourist visiting this tucked away treasure will discover colorful light pole banners, artistic flags and a signature logo of a bird flying over the letters "OB" on signs and on car window stickers. There seems to be great pride among locals who adorn property with the OB symbol. OB is their town, their home and they love it.

What is there not to love about Ocean Beach?  First of all, there's a fantastic beach with great surfing, a huge pier with fantastic fishing and a dog beach where you can let canines roam. There's a shopping region, too, with restaurants, bars, shops and a feel that's real. 
San Diego's Ocean Beach with high waves hitting the pier The sandy beach contains fire pits for bonfires available on a first come first serve basis. The pier is an interesting, T-shape structure that slopes upward toward the top of the T. Fishing is popular on this pier. An average weekend sees hundreds of people with buckets, poles and bait fishing for the great catch. A restaurant on the pier called Ocean Beach Pier Cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating with ocean and harbor views. They serve sandwiches, salads, fish and soft drinks, coffee and cocoa that you can purchase at a take out window.  The pier contains numerous benches to sit and relax and watch forever views of the ocean, bay and Point Loma peninsula.

Ocean Beach was named by developers Billy Carlson and Frank Higgins in 1887. They built streets, drew up lots and threw a big mussel roast on the beach to sell property. As the town grew, it became part of California's 2nd largest city, San Diego. A Municipal Pier which was constructed during the 1960's, offers a restaurant with great views and free fishing. Beneath the pier, surfers ride the waves which provide a show for beach goers and dog owners who bring their pets to the popular OB Dog Beach.
A weekly Farmer's Market at the 4900 Block of Newport Avenue sells flowers, food and  baked goods locally grown and produced. There are free concerts during the summer months and no admission charge to the Farmer's Market. To get there, take Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and turn west onto Newport  Avenue. 

The northern end of Ocean Beach was dominated in the early 20th century by the Wonderland Amusement Park, which opened on July 4, 1913 and was constructed on the sand at Voltaire and Abbott streets. It boasted a large roller coaster, dance pavilion, large menagerie, roller skating rink, merry-go-round, children's playground and 22,000 lights outlining the buildings. Wonderland was a popular attraction until 1916, when most of it was washed away by high tides. Some of the bungalows built as tourist accommodations atop the cliffs on either side of Niagara Avenue are still in use as businesses and homes.
 
 
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