Time to Visit The Flower Fields of Carlsbad

In peak bloom right now!

Another day in paradise

It's just another day in paradise. This is April vacation (spring break), Hawaiian style, but in Southern California. North Coast Village, Oceanside, CA.

Are you really on the beach?

At North Coast Village in Oceanside CA, we are situated in 13 tropical acres right on the beach.

Oceanside Public Library Worth a Visit

For those in Oceanside a bit longer than a few hours, the library at the 101 (Coast Highway) and Pier View is a worthy stop. I recommend picking up a pastry, coffee, or picnic at any of the nearby shops and sitting around the fountains to people and bird watch.

When done, stop inside for free wireless, to read a newspaper, or check out some local history.

New Star Wars Models Revealed for LegoLand California

LegoLand California reveals new models for the launch of the new Star Wars gallery and addition to the famed Star Wars Miniland. Watch their video and enjoy a preview.

Come to Oceanside and Carlsbad CA to check this out! I haven't been since LegoLand opened over a dozen years ago. This might just be enough to make it happen.

North Coast Village Vacation Rental Condo-Oceanside CA

I'm not a professional photographer or videographer, but I think this video gets the point across. What do you think? The video highlights our beach condo at North Coast Village in Oceanside California - the inside and the views only.



Next up: North Coast Village grounds.

C304 North Coast Village Departure Instructions

 Guest Departure Checklist

Check out is at 10am - There are NO late check outs unless you have paid in advance, and based on availability of cleaning crew.  Un-reserved late check outs will result in a Full Day’s Rental Fee.

If any items need repairing or attention please let us know right away, by calling or email,  so that they can be repaired promptly.  

Turn off all fans, lights, heat, etc.

All dishes washed and put away.

If you used Sofa Sleeper - please leave it open.

Strip sheets, pillow cases & towels and put in laundry basket. Do not strip blankets and covers unless soiled, these are washed and dry cleaned regularly

Empty refrigerator of all open items and dispose in garbage.    You are welcome to leave behind condiments and unopened  non perishable foods & beverages.

Garbage removed to dumpster in garage or down the garbage shoot in the lobby outside the B/C elevators.  Recyclables can go to containers near the B/C elevators.

Boogie boards & beach equipment should be free of sand BEFORE you bring them back to the unit. Please leave neatly on the deck. If you broke a boogie board, please call-you won't be charged.

Lock all doors when you leave.

Return keys to the drop box outside the HOA office.  If they are lost or not returned there is a $75 replacement fee, not covered by  the damage waiver.

If you’d like to arrange for an EXPRESS Check Out, and let us take care of everything for you, please call BETTER Vacation Rentals before your last day and make arrangements - 24 advanced notice is required

 To Reserve Online: www.bettervacationrentals.com

Or Call: 800-277-2734 or 760-652-9566

Oceanside Museum of Art's photostream

Oceanside Museum of Art's photostream on Flickr.

Thinking Oceanside CA is just beach, beach, and more beach? Think again.

FREE Magic Show Sunday 4/10 at Sunshine Brooks Theater Oceanside CA

FREE Magic Show at Sunshine Brooks Theater Oceanside California

Lifetime television will be filming a free magic show at the Historic Sunshine Brooks Theater on Sunday, April 10, 2011. The magic show is FREE for families. The doors open for entrance at 10:15am and close approximately 11:15am. Seating is on a first come-as available basis.

Come explore the intimate and historic theater in the heart of downtown Oceanside. After the show enjoy lunch at any of the nearby restaurants or at Ruby's after a walk to the end of the pier.


The Sunshine Brooks theater is situated in the 200 block of North Coast Highway in downtown Oceanside.

FREE Parking at the Civic Center Garage located
at the corner of Ditmar and Civic Center Drive.

Sunshine Brooks Theater
217 North Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
(714) 401-0324

Visit Oceanside CA

Coming to San Diego's North Shore?

Souplantation Carlsbad Knows Social Media

Souplantation Vista CA

Although I thought Souplantation was in Oceanside just off the 78 at Jefferson, it is actually in Vista. Check out my new review on Yelp from Sunday.  I thought it was a bit expensive for what it is even with 15% off. What do you think?

Oceanside Harbor Dredging Tentative for March

Oceanside Pier from South the Strand

This just out from City Harbor & Beaches representative (Frank Quan):

"The Oceanside Harbor Maintenance Dredging 2011 Project has been
tentatively scheduled for early March.
There are scheduling conflict with a Port of Long Beach project and
an environmental issue regarding sediment testing so the March date is
tentative."


Why is this important to guests and residents of Oceanside? 

• dredging the mouth of Oceanside Harbor is important each year to keep boats from running up on the sand that deposits there and causing material and human damage;
• dredging of Oceanside Harbor mouth means the use of heavy equipment (noise) and running of an ugly pipe across (unattractive obstacle) the beach from the San Luis Rey River mouth to where ever the sand is being redeposited;
• dredging is an important source of sand for Oceanside beaches after winter losses and is slated to go to the southern beaches this year.

Well information is power so check in for updates as March and spring looms closer. The City of Oceanside has done an excellent job over the last few years notifying people of their time table and of trying to make the pipe as inconvenient and inconspicuous as possible. They've also been sure to try to avoid spring break season and Beach Soccer weekend. 

Harney Sushi Oceanside Chef Wins 2010 San Diego Bay Food & Wine Fest Award

Harney Sushi in Oceanside near the train station is one of my favorite restaurants for lunch. Now the 2010 San Diego Bay Food and Wine Fest folks agree and awarded the Chef of the Fest award to Oceanside's own chef Robert Ruiz with his tantalizing dish "The Cunning Lengua." Although I'd be chicken to try this dish, I think the use of local and seasonal Fuyu persimmons was brilliant.


Here's the dish: Cunning Lengua - Very Clever Beef Tongue

- Sapporo style braised Newport beef tongue

- Whole roasted matsutake mushrooms from Washington state

- 3-d demi-glace slowly loved into existence over 3 days and sliced as sashimi

- Crisp fuyu persimmon from Fallbrook

- Chili spiced fresh shredded daikon radish

- Fresh minced ginger and micro shiso garnish

According to Harney Sushi, this dish is not served on their regular menu, but sitting at the sushi bar, you can ask for your own special creation.  Better yet, Harney Sushi Oceanside CA is now having daily happy hour specials: 

Photo Courtesy Harney Sushi

5:30-6:30 Monday through Friday at Harney Sushi Oceanside 

(bar seating only) Food specials from the late night happy hour along with--

$5 large hot sake

$5 flavored sake and nigori carafes

$1 off all draft beer

California Beaches Hit Hard by Sand Loss

Visitors to Southern California beaches may have entirely different experiences from one year to another, and even more so from one season to another. The taking and giving of sand is a natural occurrence here on the San Diego coast, but one that isn't always fair or equal.

As we head into the 2010-2011 "winter" storm season in San Diego (which our guests from the northern climates typically enjoy) we can expect winter beaches to appear. In fact, we're seeing some already. I was at the beach at high tide this morning and can see the changes taking shape. Winter beaches mean less sand and more "cobbles" (rocks), fewer people, and more interesting finds cast aside from waves. Today will be a -1 foot tide (ultra low) so I'm hoping to explore and find some shells, perfect stones, or sea glass this afternoon. In past winter explorations in Oceanside outside of North Coast Village, I've had major sand dollar finds during tides like this.

Every year San Diego association of governments (SANDAG) studies sand levels. The biggest losers last winter were my home beach (Cardiff) and my work beach (Oceanside). Read more from the North County Times.

North Coast Village is Fresh and Ready in Oceanside CA

North Coast Village Oceanside CA - Aerial Photo by MahaPix

Every fall the beach front condo complex of North Coast Village in Oceanside, CA takes on maintenance projects to keep the 13 acre oasis looking fresh, and ready to welcome residents and guests to our vacation rentals.  Once again the 2010 projects do not disappoint.





Completed just in time for seasonal guests to North Coast Village:

• sea wall fortified to protect North Coast Village oceanfront cottages from wave action;
• C building foundation/garage waterproofing completed and re-landscaping in progress;
• Koi pond filter replaced and the fish are ready for feeding by kids and adults alike (did you know in the winter the HOA actually have to feed the fish, but in the summer we have enough guests treating them from the feeder?);
• B building lobby and laundry room remodel almost complete;
• E building jackhammering completed.

North Coast Village is a 13 acre beach front complex of privately owned condos at the north end of The Strand between Oceanside's wooden pier and boat harbor. A portion of these beach condos are available for rent. For a BETTER vacation rental experience go ahead and book your next stay online (best rates and special deals) at www.bettervacationrentals.com or call 800-277-2734. 

Oceanside Harbor Days Returns for 2010

Time to plan ahead for Oceanside CA's famed Harbor Days celebration. The dates for 2010 are October 2 and 3 at the south end of the Oceanside Harbor and beach.

This family event is sponsored by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce along with the Oceanside Harbor District, Cox Communications, San Diego Ford Dealers and Genentech.

Visitors will enjoy popular events including Pirates Cove, live entertainment, arts and craft exhibits, great food and fun activities for the entire family. The event is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.http://oceansidechamberblog.com/?p=1032

Click here for more information on Oceanside's Harbor Days.

a Mid Summer Night's Dream in La Jolla - Dream Big

A Mid Summer Night's Dream - La Jolla Playhouse - July 20-August 22, 2010 at Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theater: Featuring the San Diego Youth Symphony on stage. Tickets from $31

August 12-15, 2010 Cankerblossom: A Dark Fairytale Inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream. A family-friendly page to stage workshop production. Tickets $15-$25.

Visit La Jolla Playhouse Online or call 858-550-1010

Chilly Weather at the Beach? Catch a free movie.

Ok, I admit it: it's downright chilly here at Southern California beaches right now. Not what you came for I'm sure. That said, don't let it spoil your good time. There's a Regal Cinema in downtown Oceanside(zip 92054), and they are showing free movies every Tues. & Wed @ 10:00 A.M.

July 7 Tales of Despereaux (G)

July 7 Planet 51 (G)

July 13 & 14 Rugrats the Movie (G)

July 13 & 14 Ice Age Dawn of the Dinos (PG)

July 20 & 21 Kung Fu Panda (G)

July 20 & 21 Rugrats in Paris (PG)

July 27 & 28 Wallace & Grommit (G)

July 27 & 28 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG)

All well rated and fun movies. When it's over, I recommend a walk down Oceanside Pier or the Strand. There should be plenty of interesting rocks, and maybe even some shells or sand dollars if the tide's low.

La Jolla Playhouse Surf Report and more.

Looking for a little culture with your beach? The San Diego area is more than just a sunny day...
Take in some live theater!

La Jolla Playhouse announces the 2010/2011 season for San Diego, opening with "Surf Report" June 15-July 11, 2010 at the Mandell Weiss Forum.

"Surf Report" June 15-July 11, 2010
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" July 20-August 22, 2010
"Limelight The Story of Charlie Chaplin" September 7-October 17, 2010
"Dostoevesky's Notes from the Underground" September 17-October 17, 2010
"Ruined" November 16 - December 19, 2010
"Little Miss Sunshine" February 15-March, 27, 2011

Three performance venues: Mandell Weiss Theatre, Mandell Weiss Forum, and Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Located on the UC San Diego Campus in La Jolla. Series subscriptions available now.
www.lajollaplayhouse.org
Box office: 858.550.1010 M-Sa 12-6

Breakfast Out in Oceanside California

When we're in Oceanside we aren't usually lucky enough to be staying in one of our vacation rentals and sipping coffee on the ocean view patios, decks, and balconies, so where do we go for all our breakfasts?

If you have recommendations...we're listening as we like to try a new place every time we have a breakfast meeting with the BVR team!


Jitters, 510 North Coast Highway, Oceanside - fresh baked pastries (try a fruit & oat bar), cool vibe, and real breakfasts on the weekends - free wifi
Longboarder Cafe, 228 North Coast Highway, Oceanside - yum - great variety and surf murals (hint: the avo melt is my favorite lunch item here)
Cafe 101, 631 South Coast Highway, Oceanside- Oceanside's oldest restaurant, old fashioned food and hospitality at historic diner on Rte 101 
Mary's Family Restaurant, 307 North Coast Highway, Oceanside- indoor and outdoor seats good for people watching in Oceanside
Angelos (Breakfast Burrito) 3 locations on Coast Hwy - enough to fill you up until dinner for breakfast on the run

Denny's - a favorite of Marine's and families with kids who want lots of pancakes from nearby Camp Pendleton
Harbor House Cafe, 714 North Coast Highway
Oceanside - a good Oceanside standby
Carrows, 936 North Coast Highway
Oceanside- close to the Oceanside Visitor's Center and Chamber of Commerce (my mom likes this chain)

Here are a few other favorites we've read about but not visited ourselves:
Budget Restaurants close to Oceanside Vacation Rentals - Oceanside Travel Guide