Best beach, at least for my family and I, in Oceanside. Not too rocky and the water seems warmer there than places like Mission Beach or Newport Beach. We’ve stayed on/near The Strand once each year for the past 6 years and always return to this beach

Our week stay on the Strand was located very near this beach and the sunset views were off-the-charts awesome. We also liked the activity in the beach area and the gymnast on the bouncy cords who flew high in the air, landing, rebounding, and thrilling the crowds. This north Strand part of the beach has perhaps the widest expanse of sand; the South Strand direction of the beach is prone to heavy storm surges that drag out much of the sand. Although farther from the Pier and the concession opportunities to grab a snack, this part of the beach has lots of picnic tables and, of course, that really big and clean restroom facility. Across from the beach (and on the Strand) there are some quirky little cottages which give Oceanside its own character.

Too bad this is really one of the few spots where the sand remains south of the harbor. But now it is getting over run by pop-ups that are staked up by 7-9 am on weekends and leave little room for others. Lots of illegal parking along NCV, people driving the wrong way and having no respect for property in the area when they sit in front of homes with their exhaust going in the windows of homes along the strand. This used to be the quiet family and older adult area, but the lack of southernly sand is bringing the party crew to the north and now is getting large banks of cobbles too, thanks to the lack of sand nearer the water. Still plenty of sand closer to the road, but no longer has the open stretches whereby you could have a 12 ft radius around without having people run by kicking sand at you or stepping on your towel. come early or late near sunset or else go to the harbor.

A walk down the Strand (from Wisconsin Avenue) will terminate here. It is a great place to spend some time or continue walking up to the Trail or over to the Marina and Harbor. The restroom facilities are top notch and the beach down here does not seem to be as crowded as other stretches of Oceanside's beaches.

Lot of bang for your buck here. Food is great and generous portions. You can always tell a great place by how long you have to wait to dine there and this is one of them