San Diego County, California is the kind of place that's a pleasure to become lost in. The coastline is long and lovely, the boardwalk is alive with energy, and the beachfront scene makes it feel like a lazy summer day any time of the year. Basically, this area is quintessentially California and can best be epitomized by the city of Oceanside, where the sun seems to constantly shine and vacation is a way of life.



Oceanside is located between San Diego and Los Angeles, providing a sweet stopping point for travelers between the two and a close-but-seemingly-far-away destination for anyone who cares to escape the high-density city for a while. Several movies have been filmed here thanks to an ideally picturesque backdrop (remember Tom Cruise's beach house in Top Gun?) and a number of absorbing amusements also help to provide the basic idea of what you'll see while you're here.

Start out by spending some quality time at the beach. From strolling to swimming, body boarding to barbequing, there are several miles of attractive and available sites for plopping down for a few hours of quality sand and surf enjoyment. Close your eyes and listen the gentle pulsing of the surf, soak in the general air of relaxation, and let the salty breeze wash away the symptoms of stress.

Pier View South is the most popular beach in the area, which means that crowds can be a definite presence. It's worth checking out this vibrant scene at least briefly, as the action of surf competitions, fine fishing, musical performances at the amphitheatre and more will surely color a few memories. If it's a quieter spot that you crave, head to Buccaneer Beach or Oceanside Boulevard Beach. There's less activity but more breathing room.

Continuing on the theme of choices, there is an assortment of activities to engage in that take travelers from one spectrum to the other. History buffs will want to check out the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia as well as Heritage Park Village, where the evidence of days gone by remain intact for your viewing pleasure. For some cathartic thrill-seeking try one of the amusement parks nearby, including Legoland, Wave Water Park, and Knotts Berry Farm.

As California tends to be, Oceanside is culturally rich. It has its own Museum of Art and a Surf Museum as well, and strolling around downtown is sure to reveal all sorts of galleries, shops and cinemas. Embrace the accessible yet free-spirited demeanor of the town by exploring it with no particular itinerary in mind. You and your companions are sure to create a wonderful day by keeping your eyes open to the possibilities that Oceanside constantly extends to its guests.

Whale watching excursions, day trips to the San Diego Zoo or Disneyland, golfing and playing tennis are other diversions that will present themselves, so be sure to allow yourself enough time to spend here. Properly decompressing takes a few days at least, so clear a nice healthy block in your calendar and head to Oceanside with no reservations.

Actually, one reservation you should have is for a vacation rental. This community is especially conducive to an alternative accommodation experience like renting a beach house and settling in for a good long stretch (or just a weekend if that's all you can manage). Nothing is better than making yourself at home in a place that actually feels like it could be your home; from a washer and dryer to internet access, a sun-dappled patio to a cheery d'cor, the little details of tend to add up to quite an experience.

There are many styles, sizes and price ranges to choose from, so allow some time to spend on the vacation rental planning process. Most actually find it enjoyable to sort through the listings, checking out the pictures and descriptions of all the potentially fabulous foundations for an upcoming trip to the sunny coast of California. The best approach is to see for yourself, so get started today.