Neighborhood guide
Ocean Beach
Surf shacks, dogs everywhere and the most relaxed people in San Diego.
Ocean Beach, or OB, is San Diego’s laid-back surf town, with a long-running hippie streak and a strong independent-shop scene. Newport Avenue has antique shops, taco shops and dive bars, the Wednesday farmers market takes over the street, and Dog Beach is one big canine party. The famous OB Pier has been closed since 2023 while the city works on a replacement, so admire it from the sand.
Good for: Surfers, dog people, budget travelers and anyone who owns a tie-dye shirt.
Skip it if: You want fancy. OB is proudly not fancy.
Getting there: It’s about 15 minutes from downtown by car or bus. Parking near the beach fills up on weekends.
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Hidden spots around here
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Ocean Beach Wednesday Farmers Market
Every Wednesday evening, Newport Avenue shuts to cars and fills with food stalls, fruit, crafts and street performers. OB at its most…
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Ocean Beach Dog Beach
One of the first leash-free beaches in the country, open 24 hours. Hundreds of happy dogs, zero chill. Even if you didn’t…
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