• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Poor
• Unit Satisfaction: Poor
• Family Friendliness: Not Available
• Service: Poor

The beach is on the other side of the road from the timeshare. Because we went during the school recess in February or March, it was still a bit chilly. Oh yes, California is not Hawaii. It does cool off in the late winter sometimes.

The only thing that kept this from being the perfect vacation it should have been was losing half our luggage. Fortunately, I travel by dividing the clothes and packing half of our things in each suitcase. We had flown from NY to LA and then LA to San Diego. The later flight was aboard a small prop plane that leaves every twenty minutes or so, so they just throw any suitcase into any plane. When we got to the airport in San Diego, there was no one watching the suitcases, and just like in most airports, no one checks to see if you're taking your suitcases. We NEVER got it back. What's worse, I discovered later that the timeshare is an equal distance between LA and San Diego, so we didn't need to be on the second flight.

Otherwise, the trip was great. San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Wharf area, the other animal parks--everything was terrific! And the food was great everywhere too. There was a steakhouse in the Oceanside area that is one of the best I've ever been to. And there was a sign on the place that said they were voted the best too.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

My room was a studio with an ocean view - nice, but not luxurious. It was wonderful to fall asleep each night with the patio door cracked open and listening to the ocean waves.

Accessibility was so-so: I was able to maneuver my wheelchair through the room, but the microwave was a tough reach, and the bathroom was very small and had no grab bars. I also have a small wheelchair; a larger person or a quadraplegic would need assistance. I believe the resort has some specifically designated handicap rooms -- if so, this was obviously not one of them. There is an elevator which is fine. However, for disabled drivers, the parking garage is atrocious -- there is only one handicap designated space, which was taken when I pulled in. I had a minor accident with my rental car trying to pull into one of the very narrow spaces; and then there was not enough space to unload my wheelchair. Thus, disabled drivers should request a street parking permit (they had some available when I checked in, but it would probably be a good idea to call about it in advance.)

The staff was very friendly and helpful, and very understanding about my little "incident" in the parking garage.

I did not participate in the daily activities, except for one: in conjunction with other area RCI resorts, a bus trip to Mexico is offered on Thursdays. This bus trip is HIGHLY recommended. It is well worth the $85 fare, which includes transportation, insurance, and two meals. It will save you a lot of hassle and waiting at the border, and the tour guide is very knowledgeable.

Since I do not have a family, I was unable to rate the "family friendliness".

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Not Available
• Service: Very Good

An hour or so north is Disneyland, Knott''s Berry Farm and John Wayne/Orange County Airport. Day trips to Tijuana can also be arranged through the front desk of the timeshare.

Best Things About the Resort:
Without a doubt, the best thing about this timeshare is its location -- right on the beach. If your unit overlooks the ocean, you can sit on your patio/balcony and watch the kids play in the sand at the beach.

Resort Experience:
The Southern California Beach Club Resort is a timeshare that is located directly ON the sandy beach in Oceanside, California. Oceanside has 3 1/2 miles of beachfront and is located at the southern end of Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

You exit the building and cross a narrow one lane access road and you are in the sand with nothing obstructing your view to the water. The Oceanside pier with Ruby''s restaurant at ocean''s end and a Taco Bell and MacDonalds at land''s end are within a 3-5 minute walk down the beach.

A rooftop hot tub/whirlpool is a perfect place to sit back, sip a glass a wine, and take in the sunset over the ocean. Barbecue grills, table, and chairs are also available on this large rooftop deck.

Long walks either direction on the beach or bike rides along the paved trail running along the beach are right out your door. Within a few minutes drive is the Oceanside harbor and village where you can go fishing, whale watching, and boating.

This resort has earned a Resort of International Distinction, most likely because of its location. Parking is under the building. A tiny game room with an old, rickety ping pong table and a few board games and puzzles (with missing pieces) is located in the garage area as well and rather unappealing. I suggest a family take their own games, though the time spent in the unit will be minimal with the beach beckoning.

The front desk staff are knowledgeable about local area restaurants and businesses, but their expertise does not go much beyond that. On the main/ground level floor just off the lobby/front desk area is a community room that has a large screen TV and VCR for watching or to check out videos to be viewed in your room.

Our particular unit was a 1 bedroom 4/4 that had a balcony overlooking the sand at the beach with no buildings obstructing our ocean view. The entry went right into the small area with a one wall limited kitchen and small table and 4 chairs. The living room was standard and cramped for four people. It had a sofa bed, chair, and TV cabinet with VCR. The bathroom was off the bedroom and so you had to walk through the corner of the bedroom to get to the bathroom. The bedroom had a queen bed, dresser, and night stands. It was standard in quality also.

Though the actual unit itself was nothing special, the location at the beach made it all seem okay. There was nothing luxurious about it.

A large rooftop patio area with tables and chairs and whirlpool/jaccuzzi, both with ocean and sunset views, was nice for sunset watching.

This place was better than a hotel room, but not a place that gave you a feeling of being pampered on vacation. Its ideal location is super for getting away to sit on the beach or catch a few Southern California waves. We didn''t see much nightlife in the immediate area.

Since this timeshare is located in an open area along a residential street in Oceanside, there are few busniesses or attractions around it.

Remember to bring your body boards and beach accessories. Lots of sunscreen is needed since you''ll be living on the beach during your stay.

If you are looking for excitment this may not be the place for you, but if you want to just kick back and relax, a day or week at the beach can''t be beat.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Fair
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Good