It is time to plan Spring Break! How about exploring California Spring Break ideas for Oceanside? There are so many fun things to do in Oceanside—just 45 minutes away from San Diego—you’ll have plenty of ideas to add to your Oceanside itinerary and bucket list. Want a day trip to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld or the Safari Park? Don’t forget about awesome beaches, sunsets, and food.
We have vacationed in Florida and Texas and even went on a cruise to the Caribbean one year for Spring Break trips with family. A California Spring Break is always a welcome destination.
17 Spring Break Ideas for Oceanside, CA
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Way back in December or January when many begin planning and looking for places to go for Spring Break activities in March and April, the question, “Where should we go this year?” inevitably pops up.
The answer from our girls is always, “Somewhere warm!”
How about some fun Spring Break ideas for Oceanside and the surrounding area for this year? You can spend your days in San Diego or head up the coast to Oceanside to scout out the tourist shops for the perfect vacation memento, chill at the beach, stay in a vacation rental, or walk along the shore.
1. Rent A Sailboat
One of the fun Spring Break activities is to rent a sailboat. Obviously, this suggestion is only going to work if you know how to captain that sailboat. But there are certainly charters you can find if you want someone else to do the navigating for you on your Spring Break trips with family.
Fortunately for our family, Chris’ dad is a captain of many crafts and knows how to sail boats and fly airplanes!
We all planned to spend the day sailing in San Diego Harbor and made a quick stop for lunch, snacks, and drinks before arriving at the marina.
The weather was perfect, and we had a fun day together on the water.
Following our day on the water, we spent the rest of the evening navigating the California freeway to Oceanside. When you are planning a California Spring Break, be sure to take into account the drive time to and from your activities.
Traffic was fairly backed up for most of the drive, but we finally arrived at the vacation rental condo. You just can’t beat being a half a block from the ocean!
Distance from San Diego to Oceanside: ~ 45 minutes if traffic is in your favor
2. Soak Up the Sun at the Beach
If you are like us Coloradans, any amount of sunshine and warmth in March after a long, cold winter is a welcome sight. We are always looking for warm destinations for our Spring Break trips with family.
On our first full day in Oceanside, we walked along the beach to the Oceanside Pier; the girls were more than ready for lunch at Ruby’s on the Pier by the time we arrived.
Ruby’s was spendy and the service was slow, but it was a fun place to eat. (Unfortunately this location is now permanently closed.)
Our rental condo was well stocked with beach chairs, sand toys, towels, and boogie boards. When you are booking a place to stay, especially in an vacation rental, beach “toys” are an important consideration.
Check Booking.com for your next California Spring Break rental.
No one complained about spending an afternoon relaxing at the beach. Could Spring Break trips with family get any better?
Misha spread out a towel and soaked up some sunshine while Amy and Kristen took a few tentative steps into the chilly Pacific Ocean. It didn’t take long for them to venture further out with their boogie boards into the bigger waves and have some fun riding the surf.
Chris and I sat on the beach with our fleece jackets on. Brrrr. It really wasn’t terrifically warm, but the girls were having too much fun to notice.
Amy and Kristen retired their boogie boards after an hour in the water. Amy lay in the sun alongside Misha, though I don’t know that she ever warmed up as she had goosebumps all over every time I looked over at her.
Kristen played in the sand but got bored after a while and headed back into the ocean. I don’t know how she handled being cold for so long, but she had a great time catching some waves.
We were all in agreement when I finally suggested we go back to sit in the hot tub at the condo complex.
3. Visit San Diego SeaWorld
As we set out to explore the area around Oceanside, we planned for a day at San Diego SeaWorld. I recommend SeaWorld as one of the top spring break ideas for Oceanside. It is great for “kids” of all ages.
Depending on the day and time of year, you’ll want to plan into your schedule waiting in freeway traffic (especially if you go during morning rush hour to get a jump on your day at SeaWorld), finding parking at SeaWorld, AND standing in line for tickets and rides.
You might even need to bring a Rain Jacket if, like Chris and Kristen, you choose to sit in the “Splash Zone” for the dolphin show.
The weather during our California spring break was fantastic. I can imagine it gets pretty hot in the summertime. And crowded. Our wait at most of the rides wasn’t terribly long either.
Now lunch… that WAS crazy. $110 for the five of us. It wasn’t even that good. I would recommend you pack a lunch and return to you car at lunch time to eat it.
Distance from Oceanside to San Diego SeaWorld: about 35 minutes if traffic is in your favor
4. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
After a day of sailing, time at the beach, and fun at San Diego SeaWorld, we spent the next day at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. If you are looking for things to do on Spring Break, especially if you are taking Spring Break trips with family, the Safari Park is a great option.
We arrived a little after opening and still managed to find a relatively close parking spot.
I made sure to wear my Asics shoes as I was suffering from some foot problems and needed comfortable yet supportive shoes to get me through the day.
We still carried our Backpack into the park filled with water in a Camelbak Water Reservoir and Snacks to munch on throughout the day.
We saw goats, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, condors, birds of all kinds, lions, tigers, cheetahs, and koalas. If you are searching for fun Spring Break ideas for Oceanside, CA, we all recommend the Zoo Safari Park.
The park itself was incredibly beautiful with it wide open ranges. It was a nice way to spend the day.
Be prepared to walk and walk and walk. We were really grateful for the half hour respite on the safari train later in the afternoon.
Distance from Oceanside to San Diego Zoo Safari Park: about 35 minutes
5. San Luis Rey Mission
On the last day of our California spring break in Oceanside, we stopped at Mission San Luis Rey. The grounds were peaceful, quiet and not terribly busy—perfect for taking some pictures.
As I always travel with my Canon Camera and my iPhone, I took advantage of the great opportunities to snap some photos.
Founded by the Order of the Friars Minor, this designation of the Franciscan religious community still lives at the mission today.
Feel free to take a self-guided tour of the museum, walk through the cemetery, and peruse the museum gift shop.
Distance from Oceanside to San Luis Rey Mission: 15 minutes
6. Palomar Mountain Observatory
Chris really wanted to visit the Palomar Mountain Observatory in the hills outside of Oceanside before we ended our California Spring Break trip. The Observatory is home to the 200-inch Hale Telescope.
The observatory sits on private land owned by CalTech.
Plan to visit the observatory, take a guided tour, and learn more at the observatory museum.
Check the Palomar Mountain Observatory website prior to your visit to make sure inclement weather hasn’t closed the facility. Oh, and make sure you fill up your vehicle with gas prior to your excursion as there are no gas stations nearby!
Distance from Oceanside to Palomar Mountain Observatory: 1 hour 20 minutes
7. Book a Family Photo shoot
If you are like me, you take lots of photos when you travel. Photos of your kids. Photos of delectable desserts. Photos of the beach. A selfie in front of a famous landmark. A family selfie as you travel.
Have you ever considered a family photoshoot while on vacation? Family photography creates lasting memories and adds more fun travel moments to your vacation experiences. Spring Break trips with family means that you are all together, and it is the perfect time to snap some photos.
How do you capture epic photos of family that you’ll want to download, hang on your walls or give as gifts?
Hire a vacation photographer for a family photoshoot. Even better? Schedule a BEACH family photoshoot! This is one of the best Spring Break ideas for Oceanside that will create lasting memories.
Booking a family photoshoot is not something you do everyday. Discover 10 reasons to hire a vacation photographer and capture amazing family photos.
8. Kayak in the Ocean
There a plenty of companies and excursions to choose from if you want to enjoy some water activities along the California coastline. Besides kayaking, you can also snorkel, surf, scuba dive and paddleboard.
Kayaking in the ocean might just be among the best things to do on Spring Break trips with family in Oceanside that they will remember forever. (Our girls will for sure because we all got dumped from our kayaks as we tried to maneuver our way back to shore!)
9. Book a Whale Watching Excursion
If you are lucky, you could spy a gray whale during its migration from the shore at Cabrillo National Monument (as well as Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Torrey Pines State Reserve).
However, to get a closer look, I recommend booking a whale watching tour with an experienced guide who knows the migration habits of these majestic creatures.
10. Take a Day Trip to Disneyland
Your children would thank me if they knew I was recommending a day to Disneyland for one of your Spring Break activities. Your pocketbook? Maybe not so much.
According to Wikipedia, the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California opened in 1955 “as the first theme park opened by The Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney.”
Want to have a truly magical experience? How about a visit to Disneyland Paris?
Distance from Oceanside to Disneyland: about 1 hour
11. Discover Cabrillo National Monument
Notable features of this national monument include the Visitor Center where your kids may enjoy completing a Junior Ranger activity or visiting the Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo statue, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and tide pools which are a lot of fun to explore.
If you have an American the Beautiful National Park pass, you can use it at the entrance kiosk, otherwise day fees are an option.
Distance from Oceanside to Cabrillo National Monument: about 1 hour
12. Explore Old Point Loma Lighthouse
“Today, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse still stands watch over San Diego, sentinel to a vanished past. The National Park Service has refurbished the interior to its historic 1880s appearance—a reminder of a bygone era. Ranger-led talks, displays, and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse’s interesting past.” ~ NPS
Distance from Oceanside to Old Point Loma Lighthouse: about 1 hour
13. Explore Tide Pools
While you are visiting Cabrillo National Monument, make sure to check the tide schedule and then spend some time exploring the Point Loma Tide Pools below the sandstone cliffs.
This “intertidal zone” is abundant with plants, fish, snails, and tiny crabs. If you’re lucky, you might even spy lobsters and octopuses. Be kind to the marine wildlife and look only.
Distance from Oceanside to Tidepools below Old Point Loma Lighthouse: about 1 hour
14. Visit Old Town San Diego
Our girls have always loved Old Town San Diego right in the heart of San Diego, especially the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. I highly recommend it as one of the best Spring Break ideas for Oceanside and San Diego.
Stop in for a tour of the historic site and hear the intriguing story of the Mormon pioneer trek West and of their joining the US Army.
When our girls were younger, they especially loved the hands-on exhibit that taught them how to pan for gold. I think they had dreams of striking it rich!
Afterward, wander the street looking for mementos, eat a little ice cream, and find some great Mexican food for dinner! Old Town San Diego has a little bit of something for everyone—history, dining, lodging, shopping, and entertainment.
It is the site of California’s first settlement and was the perfect way to end our Spring Break activities before heading back to the airport for home.
Distance from Oceanside to Old Town San Diego: less than 45 minutes
15. Drive PCH-1
The Pacific Coast Highway hugs the coast of California and is one of the most iconic road trips in the USA. If you were to drive the entirety of the Pacific Coast Highway in California, it would take you between ten to twelve hours without stops.
Thanks to California’s mild weather, you can drive the Pacific Coast Highway at any time of year. While you can expect the best weather along PCH-1 from late spring through fall, the busiest travel season falls in the months of July and August.
What could be better than driving along in a red convertible with the top down, the Pacific ocean breeze blowing through your hair, and California sunshine for your California Spring Break?
We drove a small portion of the Pacific Coast Highway on a Big Sur Road Trip. Where will your adventures take you?
16. Watch the Sunset
While there are a myriad of fun things to do in San Diego with kids for your California Spring Break trips with family, no doubt the end to a perfect day can be viewed along the San Diego coastline at sunset.
17. Visit a National Parks Highlights
California is filled with amazing and diverse national parks. While these particular parks will require a road trip from San Diego and Oceanside, California, they are definitely worth the effort to if you wish to plan a future California Spring Break itinerary further north along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Redwood National and State Park
There is something simply awe-inspiring, even spiritual, when you first encounter the redwoods. One minute you are driving along in California, and suddenly the road is flanked with dense forests of giant redwood trees.
Did you know that the Coast Redwoods are THE tallest trees on earth? You will find them primarily in Northern California but there are also a few amazing groves along the Southern Oregon Coast (not more than 50 miles inland). Seeing these magnificent trees is worth a trip up the coast from San Diego. Extended road trip anyone?
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park is filled with vibrant panoramas, stunning sequoias, challenging hikes, and a rich history. Discover the best things to do in Kings Canyon National Park, especially when you only have a few days to explore.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park, a sister park to Kings Canyon National Park, is filled with giant sequoias, the world’s LARGEST tree, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states (Mt. Whitney @ 14,505 feet), and hikes for many skill levels.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is nestled in a vibrant valley in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of Central California. The park features dynamic granite mountains, dramatic waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, and stunning wilderness landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oceanside, CA known for?
Beyond being one of the best family spring break destinations, Oceanside also features a miles of sandy beaches, a beautiful harbor, water adventures, and an iconic wooden pier. It is also gaining a reputation as a fantastic destination for foodies!
How far is Oceanside from San Diego?
It is 38 miles from Oceanside to San Diego. On a good day, it should take about 40 minutes to drive.
What is the average temperature in Oceanside in March?
The average temperature in March is 66°. Temps can range from 59° to 75°. When looking for Spring Break ideas in Oceanside, you will definitely want to check the weather first.
Are there great places to stay in Oceanside?
Yes. If you are looking for vacation rentals on or close to the beach, you can find options through Airbnb, Vrbo, as well as a variety of Marriott hotels and smaller chains.
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Final Thoughts on 17 Super Spring Break Ideas for Oceanside, CA
Whether you are traveling as a couple, with young kids, or with teens, you can always find something wonderful to experience on a California spring break in Oceanside..
The sunshine in the spring feels amazing as you visit popular sites such as the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Old Town San Diego, the beach, Sea World. In fact, you may love it so much you may never want to leave!
I love San Diego! There’s so much to do, you could easily spend a week there! I’m so ready to travel and go places without masks and Covid restrictions. Can we please get back to normal??
My hubby and I were in La Jolla and Oceanside about 2 weeks ago to see my son! We had a wonderful time! Great post!
It is one of the top places my girls like to go for Spring Break.
I haven’t been to San Diego yet, but I love California. I’m Canadian but I always say that if I was to ever live somewhere in the US it would be California. I’ll be saving this info for a future trip. Thanks!
I grew up in Southern Alberta but live in the US now. California is great for the weather. I could get used to temperate weather all year long.
San Diego is one of my favorite places in California! We’re planning to go again in a few months to celebrate our anniversary.
Congratulations. How many years? Enjoy your celebration.
The San Diego Zoo is a bucket list destination for me and my family.
Just be sure to wear your walking shoes! So much fun stuff to see.
Wow, there’s a lot to do in San Diego! I feel like I’d enjoy Old Town San Diego the best. I love places where you can just wander around and take in the history and culture. So fun!
Well, if you like wandering and history and culture, pretty much anywhere in Europe should be on your list too.
I’ve never been to Southern California. TBH, given the choice of any SoCal spots, it would be San Diego (over say, LA). Saving for future travels!
I hope you get a chance to visit. It really is a beautiful location.
One of these days, I’ll get off the East Coast and make my way to California. This year is definitely not the year for that haha! But I’m inspired because I’d love to see these spots in person eventually. I’ve saved it to Pinterest for the future 🙂
Crossing my fingers you get to see them in person.
Love these 7 spring break ideas in Oceanside, CA. So ready for a beach getaway! And I’m a huge fan of San Diego.
These are some great spring break ideas for Oceanside. Renting a sail boat sounds like so much fun! I’d love to give that a try! Old Town San Diego looks so charming too! What a great place to spend spring break! Thanks for the great guide!
We headed towards the San Diego area one year at spring break time and sure did enjoyer time in Oceanside. I had to smile at your comment of staying bundled in fleece jackets in the sunny south! I love the idea of renting a sailboat for a different experience on the water. And on our next visit we will have to check out the Palomar Mountain Observatory.
Great guide! I’d love to visit the Palomar Mountain Observatory, it sounds like a fascinating place. Thanks for sharing, keeping this in mind for when I can visit San Diego in the future.
A little out of the way, but a great visit if you love observatories.
I love animals and both the zoo and the safari sound like so much fun! I would love to visit them. Thank you ?
I have never been to San Diego, but I would love to visit it one day (I still need to explore many places in the US). Also, I totally relate to travelling to somewhere warm. I live in the UK, so I’m always looking for warm destinations.
I spent a weekend there years ago and didn’t get to see most of this stuff. Looks like I’ll have to go back! I’d love to see Old Towne, Sea World, and the rest of the Zoo.
I would love to visit San Diego SeaWorld. I think my daughter would love it!
Our older girls had a lot of fun there.
I’ve spent a lot of time in San Diego, but haven’t explored Oceanside too much. Thanks for the ideas for next time!
Helpful to have a Grandpa that knows how to sail, for sure, but I bet you could find someone to skipper your boat for the afternoon.
Oceanside is such a fun spot. I feel like it often gets overlooked for more popular spots on the coast, like San Diego, Santa Monica, and Huntington Beach, but it has so much to offer on its own. My husband and I used to go on retreats there for an organization we volunteered for and loved it. Thanks for this awesome guide!
I’d be interested in visiting the Safari park. It does looks very wide open.
We’ve visited San Diego many times, but never stayed in Oceanside. From your description, it looks like we need to try that next trip. Thanks for the great ideas on activities too.