Oceanside, California is located between San Diego and Los Angeles, and it is near the major Marine base of the West Coast, Camp Pendleton. The city is best known for its gorgeous beaches and some of the most temperate weather in the world. People moving to Oceanside will love taking a jog or a short drive along Oceanside's Pacific Coast. The city is home to the Oceanside Pier which was first built in 1888 and the sixth and current rendition was built in 1987. Visitors to the pier can dine, fish or simply stroll down to the gorgeous marina.
Economy:
Looking for a computer that was popular a few years back, but having trouble finding it anywhere? Geeks.com may be the answer. This company, headquartered in Oceanside, purchases overstocks or older models of computer hardware directly from the manufacturers and sells them to consumers on their website. The International Stem Cell Corporation is also located in Oceanside. Tourism is the city's largest economic driver. Both the commercial and residential real estate in the city are more affordable than in the surrounding cities, which is great news for people who work in nearby, but extremely expensive, San Diego or Orange County. It's no wonder so many Oceanside moving companies are busy relocating new residents every day.
Tourism:
Perhaps the biggest attractions in Oceanside are its beaches. The largest of the beaches is Harbor Beach which is located next to Oceanside Harbor. The harbor boasts a hotel, shops and restaurants. There are many fun things to do there besides sunning and swimming such as kayaking, sailing and whale watching. If you are looking for big family fun, there are several amusement parks located nearby, like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Legoland and Sea World. There is also the Oceanside Museum of Art designed with modern architecture and exhibits as well as programs for children. For a change of pace you can check out the California Surf Museum, which showcases the history and highlights of the sport of surfing.
History:
The first inhabitants of Oceanside were Native Americans. In 1769, Spanish settlers arrived from Europe. The United States first took control of the area in 1848 and the city was officially incorporated on July 3, 1888. Prior to this, the state of California was under Mexican rule. Oceanside got its name because many California residents enjoyed going to the "ocean side." The city began to grow quickly and many people came by train to check out this beautiful new place. The first paved road that connected Los Angeles to San Diego was built prior to 1920. During World War II the city really began to evolve as Camp Pendleton drew a multitude of Marines and their families to Oceanside. There was another population boom that coincided with the Korean War.