With over 170,000 residents, Oceanside is the third largest city in the county, sizeable to San Francisco. Over 75% of Oceanside real estate has been built since the 1970s, representing fairly new homes in good condition. The city encompasses both coastal land and mesas that spread eastward. The beach and old downtown run along the coast highway, retaining a 1950s beach ambience with coffee shops, surfing, motels, and a harbor that accommodates up to 1,000 boats and yachts. Sport fishing and sailing are ideal off the coast. The town has a resort feel but is very much a residential community with well-kept homes.

Oceanside real estate encompasses several miles of oceanfront, and housing well inland. Coastal Oceanside houses and condos have great views and are in higher price ranges. Even as homes move to the east, it is not uncommon to find a home on a mesa that overlooks the ocean. Moving inland, older Oceanside homes are more prominent but many tract homes have been built recently, dotting old landscape with new. Newer homes have more space and upgrades. Some of these new subdivisions are gated. Space is plenty as the community builds eastward.

Located just north is Camp Pendleton, the largest marine base in the U.S. It is home to 36,000 Marines and Navy personnel. This population contributes over $2 billion each year to the local economy and employs around 4,000 civilians, connecting the community strongly with it’s military presence. Since the establishment of the largest marine base in the U.S., Oceanside real estate

Commuter rail service carries residents both north to Los Angeles and Orange County and south 35 miles to Downtown San Diego, stopping along the way. This kind of accessibility in a beach community is a treat. Oceanside even boasts its own private airport, closer than Lindbergh field in Downtown San Diego and John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

A $125 million bond passed in 2000 will provide 24 new schools in the city and will upgrade existing schools. There are also about a dozen private schools to choose from. Activities range from skateboarding and gymnastics to tennis, dance classes, and of course surfing along the miles of beach offered by this coastal city. Migrating whales can be seen from shore as the waters change temperature, there is a Christmas parade of lights each winter, and local culture is represented by the surf museum.