Oceanside, founded in 1798 and incorporated in 1888, is a coastal city in San Diego County located just south of the border with Orange County. The Southern California city is a popular tourist destination given its beautiful beaches and historic landmarks. Beaches in Oceanside include Harbor Beach, Buccaneer Beach, Oceanside Beach, South Oceanside Beach, and Saint Malo Beach.

When the Spanish arrived in 1798, they founded Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in what is now San Luis Rey, a suburb of Oceanside. When constructed, Mission San Luis Rey covered 950,400 acres, making it the largest of the California missions established by Spain.

After the establishment of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in 1942, Oceanside has become home to thousands of U.S. armed f9rces military and civilian personnel. Oceanside, together with nearby Vista and Carlsbad, form a tri-city area which includes a large vacation home market consisting mostly of condominium communities and planned developments.

 

Buena Vista Lagoon

The Buena Vista Lagoon is a 223-acre freshwater lagoon located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in North County-San Diego between Carlsbad and Oceanside. The lagoon is California's first Ecological Reserve and home to the Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center. The Buena Vista Lagoon is a habitat for more than 103 bird species, 18 mammal species, and 14 amphibian and reptile species. Overflow water from rain and other sources flows into the Pacific Ocean.

 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, commonly referred to as Camp Pendleton, established in 1942, is a 125,000-acre Marine Corps base in San Diego County. The base, which is one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States, is bordered by Oceanside to the south, San Clemente and Orange County to the north, Fallbrook to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Marine Corps Air Station is part of Camp Pendleton.

 

Franciscan School of Theology

The Franciscan School of Theology (FST), established in 1854, is a small Roman Catholic graduate theological school at the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, which is in North County, San Diego. FST is affiliated with the University of San Diego. The school offers a two-year Master of Theological Studies degree and a three-year Master of Divinity degree which is required for ordination to the priesthood.

 

Oceanside Museum of Art

The Oceanside Museum of Art, established in 1997, is a 20,000 square foot contemporary museum of art that attracts more than 25,000 visitors every year. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum hosts or sponsors classes, lectures, tours, concerts, films, and other events. Memberships are available and there is a museum store that offers many types of unique items.

 

Oceanside Historical Society

The Oceanside Historical Society serves the community through its history center, its website, videos, various publications, walking tours, and lectures. The Oceanside Historical Society has assembled one of the largest photo collections in the County of San Diego. Memberships are available and volunteers are always appreciated.

 

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, constructed in 1815, a National Historic Landmark, is the third church to be built on the same site in Oceanside California. The first church was built in 1798 as one of the 21 Spanish  Missions established by the Alta California Province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Today, the beautiful church is a parish church of the Diocese of San Diego and a museum.

 

Timeline of Oceanside:

1798
Mission San Luis Rey was founded.

1815
Present day Mission Church building was completed.

1834
The Mission property is secularized.

1860
Mission San Luis Rey falls into ruins.

1882
Railroad construction begins from Riverside to San Diego.

1883
Andrew Jackson Myers applies for a Homestead Grant on what is now downtown Oceanside.

1887
Bank of Oceanside is built along with the South Pacific Hotel.

1888
The City of Oceanside is incorporated on July 3, 1888.

The first pier is built on the end of Couts street, now Wisconsin.

The first train depot is constructed.

1891
The first pier is destroyed by a severe storm.

1894
The second pier is built at the end of Third Street, now Pier View Way.

1903
The third pier is built, using railroad steel as pilings.

1904
The EI San Luis Rey Hotel is built.

Oceanside Electric provides electricity to downtown Oceanside.

The Oceanside Library is founded.

1906
Oceanside High School is completed.

1909
First graduating class of Oceanside High School takes place.

1913
Racing on beach from Oceanside to Del Mar.

1918
The national influenza outbreak affects San Diego County. A quarantine is put into effect.

1924
The Palomar Theater opens.

1924
The Bank of Oceanside is founded.

1927
The 4th is pier built.

1928
The Bank of Italy is founded.

1929
The first fire station is built.

1930
The Cottage Hospital opens.

1933
Oceanside Hospital is completed.

1934
The new city hall is constructed.

The old train depot is torn down. A new train depot is constructed.

1947
The 5th pier is completed.

1953
Highway 101 opens.

1960
The population reaches 21,000.

1961
Oceanside Harbor opens. Tri City Hospital opens.

1963
The Oceanside Small Craft Harbor is opened.

1964
The cornerstone is laid for a new Junior College later to become MiraCosta College.

The population increases to 38,000.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is established.

1970
Joe Balderrama Park, is completed.

1971
Fire Station No. 4 on Thunder Drive is completed.

1973
Fire Station No. 5 on North River Road.

1976
Heritage Park is opened.

1987
The 6th pier opens.

1988
The Centennial Celebration takes place.

1990
The new Oceanside Civic Center is built.

1995
Oceanside Museum of Art opens.

Coaster train service begins.

1996
Hill Street becomes Coast Highway.

1999
The final stretch of Highway 76 to Jeffries Ranch is completed.

2000
The Oceanside Visitors Center becomes an official California Welcome Center.

The Pacific Street Bridge to Oceanside Harbor is built.

Fire Station No.7 is completed.

Mance Buchanon park is dedicated.

The Oceanside Wyndham Pier Resort is built.

2009
The California Surf Museum opens on Pier View Way.

2010
The VA Center opens.

2011
Courtyard Marriott opens at Ocean Ranch.

2012
The Mission San Luis Rey retrofit begins.

2018
Oceanside is selected as one of California's premier state designated cultural districts by the California Arts Council.