Great beach with fishing pier, casual eateries, restrooms, barbecues, covered picnic areas, etc. Exactly how you picture Southern California! We spent a couple of hours chasing gulls, jumping the waves, watching the surfers, dining on burgers and french fries, and soaking up the sun. What a great way to spend the day.

This beach is only a few miles north of Carlsbad and easy to find in Oceanside. There is meter parking available, but we still had to walk several blocks as it is a popular beach. The beach is very clean and there are picnic facilities near the grassy area. The pier is a great place to watch the surfers catch a wave! The day we were there a school of divers were being trained as rescue workers. For those who enjoy fishing or just watching others fish, there are many people who cast a line in hopes of catching something big. Just a few blocks away from the beach is the house and street that was used in the movie "Top Gun."