The 2010 U.S. Census reported that Oceanside's population was 167,086. Oceanside is the third-largest city in San Diego County and forms a tri-city area with neighboring cities Carlsbad and Vista. As the last metropolitan area before crossing the Orange County line, Oceanside is an oasis for many before entering the county that houses tourist attractions like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.
Oceanside is quickly becoming one of the hallmark vacation destinations in California, so finding the ideal hotel for your stay is essential to uncovering the best of what Oceanside has to offer.
When to Visit Oceanside, California
Oceanside, California, experiences favorable weather most of the year. The average high temperature is about 68 degrees, with lows around 54 degrees. The daily mean temperature is 61, but combined with the sunny, semi-arid climate of Oceanside, it seems roughly 10 degrees warmer.
Oceanside experiences little rain between May and September, making this stretch of months some of the most favorable for experiencing the city's scenic beauty and historic beaches. Oceanside experiences more precipitation from January through March than the remaining months of the year, but even during this time, Oceanside rarely sees more than 2 1/2 inches of rain.
If you plan on visiting Oceanside during the summer, expect most hotels to offer less leniency on pricing. While it's not impossible to find a good deal on a hotel, travelers who want to stay as close to the beach as possible will note the liveliness of the season clearly reflected in hotel pricing. However, missing out on Oceanside's lively outdoor culture — which includes droves of surfers carving through the water, markets lining the beaches, and parasailers coasting through the air — negates any pricing concerns.
You can spend the summer months in Oceanside on the beach soaking in the sun. As the temperature starts to drop slightly during the fall transition, the water cools and the coastal winds attract crowds of people to the beach for sports. Large-scale beach football and soccer games are common during the fall and winter seasons, but you'll undoubtedly find plenty of surfers snug in their wetsuits a dozen or so yards from the shore.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Oceanside, CA:
Oceanside by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean rate patterns by star rating class in Oceanside, CA. You can use these charts to evaluate the cheapest months to make a reservation in Oceanside for any future trips.
Luxury Hotel Options in Oceanside, California
4 Star Average Prices: $181.24
Although Oceanside, California, doesn't offer any distinct, luxury hotels, many of the corporate hotels residing close to the beach are upgraded versions of the classic hotel stylings that have made hotel chains like La Quinta and the Hilton so popular. La Quinta Inn San Diego Oceanside is a four-star hotel offering free Wi-Fi and breakfast and large, comfortable, contemporary-designed rooms. SpringHill Suites San Diego Oceanside/Downtown offers posh suites, a rooftop pool, and an impressive central location.
If you're looking to trade in the traditional hotel room for something more like a condo, the Southern California Beach Club is one of the strongest options. The exceptional casual beachfront condos feature balconies or patios, wood floors, and kitchenettes. The rooftop deck features a hot tub and other amenities for families. Interestingly enough, this resort also features indoor parking for your vehicle. Studio and two-bedroom units also make up this chic resort.
Affordable Hotel Options in Oceanside, California
3 Star Average Prices: $164.17
Oceanside, California, offers travelers an array of hotel options for vacationers looking to find an affordable place to stay during their vacation. Comfort Suites Oceanside Marina offers a full suite of amenities found at all Comfort Inn locations, plus its only 4.4 miles from the city center.
The Ramada Oceanside is another popular option for those looking for an affordable place to stay. The surprisingly inexpensive rooms, fitness center, and self-serve laundry make this hotel an affordable accommodation. Oceanside Inn & Suites offers travelers a bungalow-style retreat only a half-mile from the waterfront. Although its rooms are smaller than you might find in other hotels, the spaces offer free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking.
Vacationers who want to stay as close to the beach as possible without overspending their budget should look no further than the affordable hotels mentioned above.
2 Star Average Prices: $125.12
Best Discounts in Oceanside, California
Many of the hotels and resorts in Oceanside offer special discounts for qualifying patrons. Knowing which discounts to find, however, can be tricky without a little help. The Holiday Inn Oceanside Camp Pendleton Area offers special package deals for AAA members that increase the volume of amenities given to the room. Also, this hotel offers 24-hour fitness facilities, free parking, breakfast, a bar and lounge, and an outdoor pool. The Travelodge Oceanside offers discounted rates for AAA members to sweeten a hotel package deal that already includes free breakfast and Wi-Fi.
Senior citizens, military personnel, and AAA members all enjoy reduced rates at the Best Western Oceanside Inn. The Best Western Oceanside Inn is within 2 miles of the Oceanside Amtrak and the Oceanside Airport. Additionally, this hotel is within 6 miles of Legoland and only 2.6 miles from Oceanside Harbor. Surrounded by an array of restaurants and shopping areas, this hotel makes an ideal resting place for those looking to spend their vacations comfortably.
Lastly, the Rodeway Inn in Oceanside offers 15 percent discounts for AAA and AARP members. This quaint, three-story hotel is also close to Oceanside's famous California Surf Museum.
Best Value Options in Oceanside, California
Finding a good value on a hotel room in Oceanside, California, is relatively easy; however, getting the most for your money requires a keen eye and a little help. You can find one of the most comfortable and spacious rooms for under $150 at the Extended Stay America –San Diego – Oceanside. The rooms here are both affordable and comfortable enough for longer vacations, plus they feature expanded kitchenette areas and areas for pets.
Harbor Inn & Suites Oceanside offers some of the best-priced rooms in Oceanside with free breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Harbor Inn & Suites is also one of the best-valued hotels for those who want a hotel that allows them to stay close to the beach. Although the building is a somewhat older structure, a gracious and dedicated staff maintains the property. The breakfast deck is a treat, so don't miss out on the view.
Another option for those who want to save money on their hotel room without compromising quality is the Motel 6 Oceanside Marina. The standard room comes with two queen beds for slightly more than $100. Are you traveling to Oceanside with another couple or some friends? Pair up for one of Oceanside's premier hotel values.
Top Oceanside, California, Destinations
Oceanside is close to some of California's most recognized and popular visitor attractions. You'll find the city within driving distance of Legoland, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Disneyland is slightly farther but still viable as far as attractions go, but you'll want to be ready for your drive back to Oceanside after your visit.
Legoland is an ingenious theme park for children and adults. Recall the building blocks of your own youth as your children ride coasters and use their imaginations to bring the Lego Kingdom to life. If you're ready to leave behind the beach but still yearn for more aquatic adventures, SeaWorld has plenty of attractions to entertain you, including the Manta, Riptide Rescue, and Wild Arctic.
However, the city of Oceanside is also home to many enticing visitor destinations as well. First, don't travel to Oceanside without paying respects to the California Surf Museum. Some of the current exhibits include A Brief History of Surfboards, San Onofre: Birthplace of California Beach Culture, Courageous Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton, and the Secret Spot. This museum packs its exhibits with interesting historical facts and stories about one of the most extreme sports ever invented.
Sailing, kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and surfing are all popular hobbies in Oceanside. Take a walk down to the beach and ask one of the locals for a few tips, and they'll likely happily oblige to offer you information. Oceanside is also home to the Ironman 70.3, one of the ultimate triathlons in the country. According to the event's website, this region supported the development of the sport in the early 1970s.
Oceanside's bodega-style beach culture is the foundation and lifeblood of the region. Throw on a bathing suit, step out into the ocean, inhale the salty air, and become a part of the culture of one of California's classic surf towns.
'What separates a successful idea from a failed one is that the former has always been the latter at some point of time. It's impossible to see success unless you know the face of failure like the back of your hand.
Thomas Keller, a noted businessman and restaurateur from Oceanside, CA, thus spoke of the importance of being persistent and to learn from one's failures, in one of this media interviews.
Best known for his various restaurants in the State of California, Mr Keller is one of the shining beacons from Oceanside, now a mid-sized city that houses nearly 100,000 residents.
Located on the southern edge of the state, Oceanside is a popular summer retreat for locals as well as outsiders, featuring many beaches, fancy restaurants, luxury resorts and various water activities.
A trip to Oceanside will help you rediscover that laidback side of yours, helping you get a footing in this fast moving world. In today's time and age, it's important for each and every one of us to look after our own mind, and keep it fresh as a daisy to help us face the demands of stressful life. That's why, cities like Oceanside have become epicentres of modern day weekend-to-weekend style of tourism, where the sole focus that tourists have is upon rewarding themselves for the hard work they put in.
To help you plan your vacation to Oceanside better, we are thrilled to present this sure fire guide article to Oceanside hotels and what exactly you can expect to see here in terms of hospitality and sightseeing.
Budget Hotels and Inns in Oceanside
The best way that one can hope to curtail their travel budget is by staying at a budget hotel instead of a fancy, luxury one. Most tourists are aware of the fact that hoteling expenses usually form over half of the whole budget of a tour, meaning that there's much to be saved here than one usually knows.
As far as cheap hotels are concerned, there is a healthy sample size to draw from the ones available in Oceanside. Of course, you cannot go check into a budget hotel expecting it to provide you the best of amenities money can buy. So, just being sure of what you are signing up for can save you a lot of hassle and disappointment that stems from unfulfilled expectations.
Among the various cheap hotels that are available in Oceanside, our research yielded two fantastic options: Ramada Inn Oceanside and Rodeway Inn Oceanside. These are two pretty similar budget hotels in Oceanside that can offer you a comfortable and cosy stay (albeit, for short periods) without too much fuss and too many frills.
Finding Luxury Resorts in Oceanside
It's quite easy “ anyone who has been to SoCal will testify “ to find luxury resorts in Oceanside. Being a beachfront city with regular tourists influx, there are over one dozen five star resorts here that can help tourists find the best of luxury at corresponding prices.
Southern California Beach Club is a reputed members' club and resort where tourists can expect to find the best of luxurious amenities and facilities, including a full-fledged gold course, over 50 spacious suites and in-house sauna, gym and spa.
Spring Hill Suites Oceanside is another good option for luxury lodging in Oceanside. It's not only conveniently located, it is also relatively cheaper than other options!
Independent and Boutique Hotels in Oceanside
It is not always that tourists prefer traditional budget lodging or luxury resort experiences. For the liking of many tourists, these are two extremes of the spectrum, while what they are really after is a balance between them.
Boutique and independent hotels in Oceanside can offer that elusive balance, and how! With independent villas and holiday homes, you can get to experience the kind of flexibility you would never associate with a hotel, while with affordable studio apartments for rent, you would be able to keep your travel budget on its legs!
Top Sights and Activities in Oceanside
Oceanside, if one is to boil down its essence, is a beachfront city that is best known for its quality beaches and all other things that go with these beaches. While it's true that beachside towns and cities are usually lukewarm when it comes to actual worth of sightseeing potential. But Oceanside, somehow, seems to defy that idea by presenting a host of sights and activities to its visitors.
Pious and religious people, along with those who are interested in the history of the region, can visit the San Luis Rey Mission, one of the oldest and the largest missions set up in California by Spanish missionaries in the late 18th and early 19th century. It is a beautiful sight to observe the sense of calm that prevails around the mission, allowing you some time to introspect and admire the beauty that the past beholds.
Mount Ecclesia is another similar place where you will be sure to find some peace of mind. With exquisitely developed, kept and maintained gardens and parks, those who are fans of daily walking can find a huge avenue to explore their passion. The overall experience of the visiting Mount Ecclesia is surreal, to say the least “ with all those fabulously designed buildings adding to the beauty of it.
Guajome Park can be visited if you have surplus time on your hands. It's a small preserve that has large duck ponds, petting zoos, riding trails and various other outdoor activities.
Oceanside Weather: Nothing of Concern
Being a typical South Californian city, Oceanside manifests a pretty steady weather pattern that is pleasant (more or less) throughout the year.
Summer brings hordes of tourists from around the country, making it rather difficult to find lodging here. At the same time, come summer time, and Oceanside hotels are certain to drive their nightly tariffs sky-high. So, considering weather and other factors, it would be quite safe to say that tourists are better off visiting Oceanside in early/late summer, or even spring.
FAQs about hotels in Oceanside
How much does a cheap hotel in Oceanside cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Oceanside can be as cheap as $125.12 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Oceanside cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Oceanside has been $164.17 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a high-end hotel in Oceanside cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Oceanside has been $181.24 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)