What's New In Oceanside, Calif. Jan. 2023

Oceanside, Calif.- 2023— Oceanside is launching into 2023 ready to welcome visitors with top-notch dining, anniversary celebrations and fun events rooted in longstanding cultural traditions. Here's what new and noteworthy:

ARTS & CULTURE

Mission San Luis Rey Celebrates 225th Anniversary

Mission San Luis Rey, the 18th and largest of the 21 California Missions, is celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2023. Throughout the year, the “King of Missions” will celebrate its history with special events from art festivals and a fiesta to a special Mass and lectures and the much-loved Heritage Ball. Events will explore the history and relationship between the Franciscan Friars and the Luiseno people, the native people of the land, as well as the mission's goal of connecting the community to faith, history, and God.

New “Love the O” Love Lock Sculpture

Visitors can celebrate a loved one, birthday, anniversary or other special occasion by leaving a love lock at Oceanside Harbor's new “Love the O” interactive sculpture. The beautiful piece of public art also provides opportunities for fun and dramatic photos— especially as the sun sets and shines directly through the sculpture's open-heart center.

Mardi Gras

Over 40 Oceanside small businesses and civic organizations are collaborating with the North County Chapter of the San Diego County Food Bank on a festive month-long Mardi Gras experience to help stamp out hunger while paying homage to Mardi Gras and Carnival cultures. Through February 21, participating venues will feature themed menu items, specials and events that showcase the bright, energetic traditions that represent Mardi Gras. Revelers are encouraged to give food items at SD Food Bank donation barrels located throughout the city. Oceanside Mardi Gras will culminate with multiple Fat Tuesday celebrations, on February 21, peppered throughout the city. The calendar of events will be updated regularly and posted at www.visitoceanside.org/oside-mardi-gras.

DINING

Michelin Restaurant Count Climbs to Three

The most recent edition of California's Michelin Guide included the addition of Valle Oceanside, celebrated Baja Chef Roberto Alcocer's first stateside restaurant inspired by the cuisine of Mexico's Guadalupe Valley wine country. Valle joins the Balinese-inspired Oceanside restaurant Dija Mara, which has been highlighted on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list since 2021. Opening in January is another Bib Gourmand honored restaurant, Heritage Barbecue. Oceanside will be the second location for Heritage and the first to feature house-brewed craft beer.

Pier Dining Concept Unveiled

The long-awaited replacement for Ruby's Diner at the end of Oceanside's iconic pier is finally in sight. Celebrated restaurant duo and Oceanside locals Davin and Jessica Waite (Wrench & Rodent, The Plot, Shoots Fish & Beer) are bringing their award-winning sustainability-minded ethos to the pier starting with plans for the 109 square foot kiosk that sits adjacent to the larger restaurant space. The yet-to-be-named kiosk will be transformed into a take-out-oriented seafood concept with revolving menus based on seasonality and local catch. In similar spirit to their other concepts, Chef Davin's menu will incorporate local, regeneratively farmed produce, including sea vegetables. The venue is expected to open spring 2023. Plans for the larger restaurant concept have yet to be released.

New Restaurant Openings

Oceanside continues to cater to foodies everywhere with the opening of exciting new restaurants. Recent openings include Ryes and Grind, a breakfast and lunch establishment from chef Daniel Pundik (Local Tap House) rooted in East Coast Jewish deli traditions; Toasted Gastrobrunch, a brunch to dinner restaurant with Mediterranean inspired-menu in a whimsical indoor-outdoor space; and Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar, a New Orleans inspired cozy venue occupying the first floor of the new historic Brick Hotel.

ROMANCE, ADVENTURE & WELLNESS

Rooftop Yoga at Cococabana

The Brick Hotel's rooftop hangout, Cococabana, transforms into a peaceful retreat where yoga is on the menu every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The public is invited to indulge in selfcare and wellness during Vinyasa Yoga sessions with a birds-eye view of downtown and the Pacific Ocean. Registration is required.

Ultra-Luxury “Need For Speed” Romance Package

Aspiring “Mavericks” are encouraged to grab their wingman or wing-woman for an adventurous and amorous Top Gun themed Oceanside getaway with the Mission Pacific Hotel's Need For Speed Package. This over-the-top couple's package starts at $16,000 and includes: two matching bomber jackets, Ray-Ban Sunglasses to embrace the inner aviator, round trip luxury car service from San Diego or Orange County airports, a two night stay in Mission Pacific's ocean view Ethereal Suite, skydiving with former Naval aviators onto Oceanside Beach with a Dom Perignon rooftop celebration, private surf lessons with a professional surfer and a custom commemorative David Barr Surfboard, and a romantic dessert tasting at The Top Gun House, home of the famous HIGH-pie. The package can be booked by calling (760) 227-5080.

For more about what's new in Oceanside, visit www.visitoceanside.org.

About Oceanside

Perfectly situated between metropolitan San Diego and Los Angeles, Oceanside is a quintessential California coastal escape that includes wide sandy beaches, a quaint New England-style harbor, historic wooden pier and charming bungalow neighborhoods. O'side (as locals affectionately call it) is a destination of discovery where visitors can explore everything from California history at the “King of Missions” to surf culture at the California Surf Museum and awe-inspiring sea life through exciting ocean adventures. This playful and fun destination thrives on taking recreation to the next level and boasts world-class surfing, skateboarding, bike riding, boating and even skydiving. A flourishing farm-to-table food and craft beer, wine and spirit scene reflects Oceanside's creative and entrepreneurial spirit, as do exciting arts and culture programs that earned Oceanside one of just 14 California Cultural District designations in 2017. Classically charming, eclectic and always genuine, Oceanside is an ideal place to stay and a true O'riginal. www.visitoceanside.org  

About Visit Oceanside

Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism marketing organization in Oceanside, Calif., promoting travel to the city for both leisure and group visitors. The organization influences about one-third of the $415 million that is generated by visitor spending in Oceanside each year, which supports nearly 3,500 jobs. Visit Oceanside also operates one of the state's official California Welcome Centers. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major Southern California attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB and California Welcome Center- Oceanside are conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway.  For more information, please call (800) 350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org