TRAVELING TO OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

Have you ever been to any of the laid back, lazy neighborhoods of San Diego? Traveling to Ocean Beach California on a budget, just might interest you in this unique review of a hippy city vibe with all of its charm! It has the longest concrete pier on the west coast at a whopping 1,971 feet and is shaped like a “T”.

Before we “dive right in” to this fun and beautiful beach town, it is good to understand just how San Diego works, for those who aren’t familiar. San Diego is broken up by “neighborhoods” or smaller cities within San Diego itself. Ocean Beach is just one of the many amazing coastal cities there. In future blogs, we will be exploring more of these awesome neighborhoods, their price range, the dynamic of each city and what it is known for. Such an exciting journey! Come along and learn some budget tips and tricks..

GAS IN OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

To start let’s discuss that there are many different price ranges for all budget sizes when relaxing and traveling to Ocean Beach, California on a budget. In this tiny little wonder of the world, things can get a bit pricey if you aren’t careful and plan accordingly. Gas, lodging and dining can be too expensive if you haven’t done your research for this area. The gas stations are very sparse within the city, so prices are regularly higher on a consistent basis. If you drive just outside about 10 minutes, you can find not only more gas stations but competitive pricing as well. So be smart and fuel up outside of the city before entering, it will save you the headache!

LODGING: WHILE TRAVELING TO OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

Lodging! Oh lodging in Ocean Beach, California on a budget. It is all over the place in pricing, but there are some really fun, creative and inexpensive accommodation options. It ranges from free to $7000 for the week, depending on what your vacation budget looks like. Let’s first start with the Couchsurfing App: http://www.couchsurfing.com/about/mobile/ This app is only $14.29 and it enables you to stay at verified people’s home, for FREE! So you get a place to stay and advise about the area from a local! Plus meeting fun and interesting new people along the way! https://romanticdaytrippers.com/?p=174

Next up is the amazingly cool hostel downtown that is sure to match any budget. The cool decor and communal atmosphere make for an un-forget-able trip! Don’t forget to take a picture out in front of Samesun Ocean Beach Hostel: https://samesun.com/ocean-beach/, which is only $34 a night, with the large peace sign that embodies the vibe of the local area when you visit.

Now let’s proceed on to the more expensive side of lodging in Ocean Beach, this is where visiting OB on a budget becomes a lot more tricky. As mentioned before, the condos, apartments and hotels in the area can be as pricey as up to $7000 per week. If you are going to be traveling to Ocean Beach, California on a budget, these might not be as suitable of choices for you, but thought they should be mentioned all the same. Weekday vs weekend rates are slightly going to differ as well as the different seasons, as you would expect. Ocean view condos start around $300, with a 3 night minimum stay for most places. This is a nice option if it is within your budget: https://www.seabreezevacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/ocean-beach.

Apartments seem to be around the same as condos, but rates and availability are constantly changing and are not guaranteed. Best to stay clear of these types of rentals when traveling to Ocean Beach, California on a budget. Last but not least, hotels in the “downtown, main street” that are located with ocean views start around $130-150 a night and go up to $1000 a night with additional amenities such as; private beach access, close proximity to restaurants, bars, shopping, but also come with a higher price tag. So definitely do research before you reserve anything and watch out for hidden resort fees.

DINING: WHILE TRAVELNG TO OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

While you are traveling to Ocean Beach, California on a budget, there are so many different dining experiences to be had! One of best ways to stay on budget, mix with the locals and have a great view while devouring some authentic local grub, is by hitting up one of the three main grocery stores. Yes, grocery stores! So many items fresh and ready to eat. Being so close to Mexico, they some of the BEST Mexican cuisine items hot and ready to go! Then take your fare a few short steps away to the boardwalk to watch waves and feel the ocean air while you dine. It is something to note, that Ocean Beach does not have a lot of fast food restaurants, two to be exact.

If you are looking for something not provided at one of the grocery stores, the restaurants range from fairly inexpensive to expensive. You can get $5 tacos at Nicos: http://nicosmexicanfood.menutoeat.com/ (highly recommended)! On the other end you can pho, beer on tap and different sake drinks at OB Noodle House and Sake Bar: https://obnoodlehouse.com/ for a bit more costly of a dining experience from about $12-35 a plate if that is your version of dining in Ocean Beach on a budget. The choice is yours to make, so have fun and enjoy the amazing views, whatever the choice! There is one option that was intentionally saved for the end. This option has a vast variety of variables!

MARKET NIGHT: WHILE TRAVELING TO OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

When you plan to and are traveling to Ocean Beach, California on a budget, be sure to include Wednesday as one the days in your stay. Here’s why, every Wednesday from 4-8 pm there is a market night. Ocean Beach shuts down Newport Ave (the main street) and gives way to local vendors of all kinds in one place! The best of what San Diego has to offer when it comes to food trucks and small restaurants, bakeries, barbeque and more! They also have clothing, jewelry and other items, but the food is the main attraction of this weekly market night.

You can smell the amazing food throughout Ocean Beach, as you walk towards Newport Ave and it sends excitement through you! The hard part is deciding WHAT to eat. This is also the source of the infamous OB drum circle, fire throwing and even tight rope acts near and on Veterans Park following market night. 100’s gather to sing, dance and witness the circus like show! If you so choose, they welcome everyone with open arms!

CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT

When traveling to Ocean Beach California on a budget, make sure to check out Cabrillo National Monument, located along the same cliffs as Sunset Cliffs Beach. The entrance fee is $25 unless you have an America the Beautiful Pass: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm. Upon entrance, most generally, you will find a line of traffic unless you get there as soon as they open. Cabrillo hours are 9-5 everyday Monday through Sunday.

Named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, as he was exploring the California Coast for a year in 1542. He was a soldier and explorer from Spain with what was believed to have a Portuguese descent.

This National Monument is centered in the middle of a gravesite for fallen soldiers. The view is absolutely breathtaking, as you can see San Diego Bay from one side and the Pacific Ocean from the other side! On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mexico. Also, without the thick marine layer in the air, you may also see some whales from the designated viewing area.

Cabrillo National Monument boasts a large whale spine full of bones! On a regular basis, large Ocean liner ships can be spotted down below. There is a consistent flow of boat traffic in and out of the bay area. If you are traveling to Ocean Beach on a budget, Cabrillo is a must see!

TRAVELING TO OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, when traveling to Ocean Beach, California on a budget, it is not as hard to attain as you may have thought, with all of the many options available, one should fit your budget! A little tighter on cash? Try grabbing some fruits and veggies from the grocery store, walking from your FREE couch surfing accommodations to the beach a couple of blocks away! Have a little more in your budget? Maybe grab some $5 tacos, eat at Sunset Cliffs (a must see) and head back to your private ocean view condo. Perhaps you have save your stimulus check for this trip? Well then hanging out in your private beach access hotel room and ordering delivery from OB Noodle House and Sake Bar, might be more your speed! No matter what your budget, Ocean Beach, California has something for you!

Like always, before making reservations check the Covid-19 restrictions in the area you are traveling to. Always check with the accommodations where you are staying as well as local restaurant and retail shops you may want to go to. Above all have fun no matter what and enjoy yourself! Happy travels friends!! Love, light and positive vibes!