Here are a few of my favorite things about Ocean Beach.
1. Dog Beach
Dog beach is quite simply heaven on earth. It’s dogs everywhere. Dogs frolicking through the ocean. Dogs unabashedly saying, ‘Hi.’ Dogs begging you, a stranger, to throw their ball back into the crashing waves. Heaven. On. Earth.
Dog beach is also a great place for beginner surfing. With even breaks, moderately sized waves, and an audience entirely preoccupied with furry friends rather than you wiping out, it’s the perfect spot to practice the repetition of popping up on a board.
2. Ocean Beach Surf & Skate Rentals
While this rental shop was a good 15-minute walk from our Airbnb, it’s a perfect few-minute walking distance to the pier, which is the most popular surfing spot not because the waves are bigger by the pier, as I learned, but because the waves break more evenly against it.
As trying to surf by myself for the second time after one lesson almost a year prior proved more difficult than I would have liked, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to book an extremely helpful and educational surf lesson one day out from Ocean Beach Surf & Skate.
3. 42nd Annual Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off
Despite visiting at the same time as this fair entirely by accident, it added to our beach experience exponentially.
Mouthwatering food booths and quirky, artsy pop-up stations lined Ocean Beach’s streets so far we didn’t venture all the way through.
4. Ice Cream on the Beach
This very well may and likely does happen at other beaches. However, Ocean Beach was the first beach I’ve encountered that had individuals walking the beaches with rolling ice chests filled with tasty treats.
If you’re okay with splurging on a five-dollar cone, you’ll certainly enjoy this aspect of Ocean Beach as well.
5. Newport Avenue
As my brother-in-law so aptly put it, Ocean Beach’s Newport Avenue is Tempe’s Mill Avenue. Lined with bars, eateries, shops, and ice cream parlors, Newport Avenue would certainly make for a very fun night out, especially with the sand and waves so close by.
Trying out a new beach in California was one of my most looked forward to journeys this summer. And with new surfing tools under my belt because of this trip, I would happily and a little more confidently visit again.
Sierra Sage 