Romancing Oceanside: Uncover 8 Whimsical Outings to Fall in Love with this Authentic Beach Town

For couples who prize wellness alongside good vibrations, Sunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge is the ultimate place to slip into vacation mode. Voted the No. 2 Spa in the country by USA Today, it boasts an oceanfront pool alongside luxurious amenities like a co-ed steam room.  Plan to linger longer. The Valentine’s Day spa offers are the Happy Heart Ritual to open up the Heart Chakra; a Couples Candlelight Massage; a Bubbles & Bliss Oxygen Facial for your best glow yet; and the luxurious Bubbles & Bliss Mani Pedi paired with Champagne.

Art is a centerpiece of The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa, thanks to our partnership with Oceanside Museum of Art.  Our annex gallery, OMA West, is currently exhibiting “Baja Silvestre” (through April 29), exploring artists from this Northern Mexico region. It’s the ideal starting place to kick off the self-guided art tour through Oceanside. Between OMA (a 5 minute walk), the California Surf Museum and countless murals, consider it a cultural immersion into this state-recognized cultural district. Create more buzz: Stop at the nearby breweries all within a hop-skip (see below).

Celebrate the season of love with true seasonal flavors at Piper. Join us for a romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner at our garden-to-table dining room on February 14th. Grab your sweetheart and savor a pre-fixe menu featuring everything from caviar and hamachi to Kurobuta pork and beef tartar. With its breezy-chic aesthetic, the indoor-outdoor eatery is a study in California cuisine where freshness plays a starring role.

There’s more than one way to savor the Oceanside waterfront. Home to some of Southern California’s world-class surf, couples can book private surf lessons exclusively through The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa. For those who want to relax on the water, a private excursion on a luxe catamaran or sport yacht can be booked through Oceanside Harbor. Your sunset sojourn awaits with Way Point Adventures. Or stay ashore: Our front desk can set up beach cruiser rentals to bike along iconic Strand.

Cocktail culture is thriving at The Shore Room, our tropical-chic “living room” with one of the best sunset views in San Diego. Next door at Mission Pacific Beach Resort, our sister property tops the view (quite literally with its sixth-floor perch. The Rooftop Bar is a social centerpiece of downtown Oceanside with themed DJ nights, primed for your nightcap. At The Shore Room, date night drinks include “Blush” with Bombay Sapphire, Cappeletti, strawberry and rose water garnished with hibiscus flowers. The “Rose Thorn” features reposado tequila, salted caramelized agave, orange chili bitters and a VIP ice cube. “May I have this dance?” is a Brand Angel’s Envy Bourbon whiskey concoction made with Averna, honey and hibiscus—strikingly topped with purple ube meringue.  

The keepsake with serious local cred: It’s bespoke hats. Not just any hats. Book an appointment at the Brixton flagship in Oceanside’s design district. The company was founded in Oceanside, and remains true to its native roots. The couture experience includes a consultation with a headwear artist, a customizable hat (feathers optional), complimentary laser etching, steaming and a hat box. So, yes, you can leave your hat on.

Attention wine lovers: For an unforgettable day trip, Waverider Helicopters offers a high-flying excursion to Temecula wine country. After wine tasting and exploring the vineyards in this verging region, guests are whisked away back to Oceanside via helicopter. Other options: Enjoy a shorter coastal helicopter tour to soak up the best views of Oceanside and surrounding coast.

A hoppy IPA at The Shore Room is the ideal starting point to launch your beer lovers’ tour through Oceanside. In walking distance, we present five award-winning breweries with soul, provenance and—Salud!—Mexican-style lagers. 

 .1 miles: Craft Coast Beer & Tacos has won accolades for its toasty dark Mexican lager, but locals swear the Mexican Lager, Agua Baja, possesses healing powers. 

.2 miles: Locals love Kilowatt Brewing Oceanside Taproom, the psychedelic open-air tasting room brimming with SoCal vibes. Experiment with Pre-Prohibition style Pilsner (a 1919 recipe!) and a maple-smoked Maibock. 

.3 miles:  Breakwater Brewing, Oceanside’s first craft brewpub, is located across from the pier. On any given day, they’re pouring at least a dozen house beers and 25+ guest craft beers. 

.4 miles: The grand poobah of San Diego beers needs no intro. This lush garden setting of  Stone Brewing Tap Room feels rooted in heritage with native plants and a fire-lt communal table to kick back and drink up. 

.7 miles: Northern Pine Brewing was born from a fundraising mission for fallen Marines at Camp Pendleton. Today, the flagship location is known for riffs like Turning Point, a tribute to Genesee Cream Ale.