Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking
Each step of the Oceanside Pier of California has entertaining things to see. From fishing to enjoying the scenery, the O'Side Pier is a great place to spend a fun day with family or friends. You're likely to make real memories to last for years to come. You just can't visit without walking the longest wooden pier on the West Coast at least once!
Spend the night near the coast. Dig your feet in the sand. Listen to the waves crash and savor the nature that surrounds Oceanside. Oceanside is a beautiful area to get away for a bit. Stare at the water, enjoy the sun, search for a sport to play, catch fish, and savor the sandy beach.
Scroll down to learn about the history of the pier, the restaurant at the end of the pier, what you can do, places to eat, and where to shop nearby!
* This post has been updated as of September 2022
History of the Oceanside Pier
The historic Oceanside Pier was originally proposed in 1887. At the time the pier was called a wharf. It went through a lot of trials and tribulations, suffering irreparable damage from a storm in 1890. Over the past 100+ years, there have been 6 iterations of the pier. The current pier is 1,942 feet long and was dedicated in 1987. It remains one of the most popular things to do in Oceanside, CA.
The pier is located in the city of Oceanside, California which is just north of San Diego. You can walk on this long, beautiful pier to get a great view of Oceanside. If you're coming to town, be sure to give it a stroll.
Address location: Pier, Oceanside, CA 92054 at the cross-section of Pacific St. and Pier View Way
Hours: Closes at 10 p.m.
Total length: 1,954 feet (596 m)
Opening date: 1888
Oceanside CA North County San Diego
You can't visit the city of Oceanside, California without walking the Oceanside Fishing Pier. This is one of the most classic things to do in Oceanside. The Oceanside Pier is popular amongst both locals and tourists. You can watch folks fishing or watch surfers pretty much anytime you're there.
Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town
Ruby's Diner
You used to be able to eat at Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier; Ruby's was a 40s-style diner with American classics like fries, burgers, and milkshakes, but it has since closed. Unfortunately. It was such a perfect spot!
As of April 2022, a sign went up to say something new will be opening soon! There's a new restaurant coming to the Oceanside Pier. Stay tuned.
Restaurants Near Oceanside Pier
Hungry for a meal? There are dining options close to the pier.
- 333 Pacific
- Hello Betty
- Camp Coffee Company
- Harni Sushi - Oceanside
- Miss Kim’s by That Boy Good
- Banana Dang Coffee
Fishing
Leisurely stroll your way through to the end of the pier to look out on the Pacific Ocean. While you're strolling the pier, enjoy the wildlife. I've seen a sea lion, a seal, pelicans (on separate occasions not all at once although that would be cool), and of course tons of seagulls and pigeons. I saw some dolphins from afar. The pelicans are known for frequenting the pier especially since they can get some free fish. You might be lucky enough to see the pelican(s) and get a photo or two; they're not always there but they're there pretty often.
Shopping
Oceanside Pier has a small bait shop on it where you can get some convenience items and snacks. There are also restrooms if you need to use them. There're benches placed occasionally along the way if you want to rest or take in the scenery. There are also some shops, vendors, food stands, and picnic tables at the bottom of the pier before you walk on. Since the pier is located in Oceanside 92054 at the cross-section of Pacific St. and Pier View Way, there are plenty of local restaurants nearby to dine at or pick up some food to eat at the beach!
Beachcombing and Walking
The best way to get to know a city is by walking it. Oceanside literally hugs the coast. It's an idyllic spot. I like going for walks and checking out the shoreline. Downtown Oceanside is nearby. Southern California has a lot of beautiful places to visit. No matter what month you visit, from December to summer months like June or August, you'll love the nice weather at Oceanside Pier. There's even a beach amphitheater so you just may catch a band or someone performing. There are concerts there often.
Sunset Views
The historic Oceanside Pier is one of the longest piers in California at 1,942 feet in length and is the longest wooden pier in California. If you enjoy the outdoors and just want to walk around with a beach view, this is a great spot! Plus, it's free, so you can't go wrong there. No matter your favorite place to visit in the city of Oceanside, make sure you add this one for a lovely pier view. Come for a Pacific Ocean sunset as you enjoy a fun day on the coast. The Oceanside Pier is a perfect place to end the day. It's actually open until 10 p.m.
Oceanside Harbor
Oceanside Harbor is around 1.5 miles away from Oceanside Fishing Pier, which should be a 10-minute drive depending on traffic. There are kayak rentals and other fun stuff to do over there. You can ride your bike across the area! Read about the Oceanside Harbor restaurants.
When you visit, go to the beach in Oceanside, maybe a couple beaches. There are things to do at any time of day. You walk directly to Oceanside Pier from the beach and then stroll along the coast. Tyson Street Park is nearby within walking distance. You can go surfing the waves, swimming, or hang out on the beach. Spend the day like local residents, enjoying a casual beach day. It's beautiful morning, noon, night, whenever you come.
How much is parking at Oceanside Beach?
Parking in Oceanside is fairly affordable and there is plenty of metered parking. You can find free street parking as well as one free parking garage. If street parking isn't available by the time you arrive, consider using pay lots out of convenience. No matter where you park, read all signs in the parking lots carefully as parking restrictions are subject to change at any time. There are parking lots such as Oceanside Pier & Beaches Lot 28 Parking lot (351 The Strand N), Oceanside Pier & Beaches Lot 30 (Betty's Lot) Parking lot (101 The Strand N), Oceanside Pier & Beaches Lot 21 Parking lot (214 Surfrider Way), and more.
Are there any beach restaurants in Oceanside? What are the best places to eat in Oceanside?
While there aren't any restaurants directly on the beach, there are some close to shore. Definitely within walking distance and of course more if you drive the coast. Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See! Oceanside, California is a city with a rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and outdoor adventure located in North County San Diego. For residents and tourists alike, Oceanside boasts an array of activities. Of course, you can head south to San Diego too.
Soak in the amazing scenery of the Pacific Ocean or watch a surf competition as you stroll your way to the end of the pier. Eat at a restaurant, grab a craft beer, and enjoy the view from San Diego's iconic landmark. There are plenty of events that occur throughout the year so you can check the Oceanside Welcome Center or browse online! They even have surf competitions.
Related reading:
100+ Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends
There are plenty of fun things to do with your friends at home. It doesn't have to be a big, expensive shindig. Do it your way and it can still be cool! Integrate your personality and your friends into the party. Ask them ahead of time if they have any suggestions on what they want to do: play card games, watch a few movies, create a scavenger hunt. You could even have a slumber party or sleepover - click here for ideas on what to do.
Fun Things to Do with Friends at Home
Stuck at home? Invite a friend over and you can use this as a bucket list to get creative and check off as many things as possible! There are plenty of alternative ideas to choose from. This list is geared toward adults but you can modify many ideas for a kid's party or gathering.
You can take as many or as few of these awesome ideas as you want. Many of these are free but some require little planning, driving, or purchasing. For example, in order to watch Netflix, someone has to have a Netflix account, you get the idea.
Try kombucha, read a book, and hang out in the backyard. |
- Play records, cassettes, CDs, whatever you've got.
- Have a karaoke night.
- Snap photos. Download a cool photo app like Huji so it feels like you're taking real photos. Take turns taking photos of each other!
- Paint. Let the art flow through you. Use watercolors, fingerpaints, whatever you have available. Or you can take a friend group trip to your local Michaels or the craft store to pick up supplies. Paint and let your imagination soar. Use can use recycled paper or cardboard to paint on.
- Finger paint. It's tons of fun!
- Draw self-portraits of yourselves.
- Draw each other.
- Draw each other with your eyes closed!
- Craft something. Knit, crochet, collage, scrapbook, etc.
- Do a virtual art tour or museum tour. Visit the Louvre online tour or Boston Children's Museum via online tour.
- Conduct a science experiment.
- Fill in a coloring book. You can use colored pencils, markers, or Crayons.
- Create a Spotify or YouTube playlist of songs. That way you can learn a little bit about each other's music taste.
- Create a vision board and let your creative juices flow.
- Film a TikTok video or TikTok dance.
- Solve an online escape room.
- Do a taste test challenge to guess the food or brand. For example you could test out different kinds of orange soda, different kinds of cheese, etc.
- Bake and decorate cookies. There are so many awesome designs to create from Frankenstein to Pacman to a truck to a book.
- Make pizza. You can buy pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings and bake your own creations at home. My sister and I used to do this with our friends at home. It was so fun!
- Grab takeout food from a local restaurant and eat dinner in the backyard.
- BBQ night. Barbeque some veggies and meats.
- Host a dessert night. Each person brings a different dessert.
- Dinner night. Each person brings a dish they eat a lot at home.
- Dip night. Each person brings a different homemade dip (queso dip, spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, etc).
- Drink night. Each person brings a different cocktail or mocktail or fun drink.
- Host a beer or wine tasting, each person brings a different type of beer/wine.
- Try kombucha, sparkling waters, or some beverage of choice.
- Try a new recipe using ingredients you have at home. Google one or use a recipe book.
- Make ice cream sundaes.
- Make ice cream in a bag.
- Try different foods or snacks from around the world.
- Favorite movie night. You can view one of each of your favorite movies.
- Award-winning movie night. Whether it's an Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards, Visual Effects Society Awards, pick an award you want to focus on & watch a few movies that won.
- Nostalgia kids movie night. Watch movies that you saw as kids. It'll bring back quality memories! You could spend hours watching your faves.
- Watch scary movies.
- Watch a movie series (Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, Twilight, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek you get the drift).
- Watch a short-ish TV series (Twin Peaks, Schitts Creek, Pushing Daisies, Lie to Me, etc.)
- Watch a sporting event on TV. Depends on the season or if you can catch something on TV, perhaps something live streaming on Hulu, etc.
- Join a Livestream.
- Host a sleepover. Have your best friends spend the night. You can watch movies, play board games or games like Heads Up on your phone.
- Pool party. If you have a pool, use it. It'll be refreshing in the summer and for hot days too.
- Bored of watching TV? Tell scary stories. Take turns telling your scariest story. Bonus points if it's real!!!
- Have a dance party.
- Have a costume party.
- Hosta tea party.
- Spa day. Take care of your skin, do face masks, you could even make body scrub at home.
- Read a book together. Take turns reading paragraphs/pages.
- Start a book club.
- Talk about your goals.
- Go around and discuss the stories of how you first met.
- Challenge each other with video games.
- Listen to an audiobook.
- Listen to a podcast series.
- Rearrange the furniture so it feels like a totally new vibe.
- Call or FaceTime a long-distance friend who couldn't be there.
- Hungry? Call in an order for food delivery.
- Host a clothing swap where each person brings some clothes, shoes, accessories that they don't want anymore.
- Make slime.
- Make a scavenger hunt.
- Make friendship bracelets.
- Make a flower arrangement.
- Write letters to each other.
- Write letters to your future selves.
- Write a short story by each writing one sentence. Write one sentence, then the next friend writes a sentence, and then you keep going back and forth between however many friends are over.
- Practice writing with your non-dominate hands.
- See if you can decipher each other's notes created with the non-dominant hand.
- Tie-dye t-shirts (or socks, shorts, sheets, the sky is the limit).
- Stretch out to a yoga video on YouTube.
- Meditate. You can do a guided meditation on YouTube or download an app for it.
- Practice mindfulness.
- Listen to ASMR videos on YouTube.
- Build a fort.
- Do a puzzle. Puzzles are a perfect way to liven the mood with little effort.
- Do a crossword puzzle.
- Do an online workout video.
- Band night. Jam together and play music with whatever instruments you have, tambourine, keyboard, bongo.
- Play truth or dare.
- Play Simon Says.
- Try playing 20 questions.
- Try playing Rock Paper Scissors.
- Do a round hangman.
- Play tic tac toe.
- Play Monopoly.
- Have fun with the game of Life.
- Play a card game. Poker, rummy, go fish, war, etc.
- Play Telephone.
- Try a game of charades.
- Play I Spy.
- Play Cards Against Humanity.
- Play a board game.
- Invent your own board game or game.
- Play an indoor mini version of basketball, badminton, tennis, soccer, football, handball, baseball.
- Play a murder mystery game. You could find an app or buy something online beforehand.
- Do the 5 Senses game where you each say what you can See, Hear, Smell, Taste, Touch. It's pretty fun, almost meditating in a way and great way to calm down or slow down after a long day.
- Learn some cool magic tricks.
- Challenge yourselves and learn a language (you could use Duolingo or a free app).
- Plan a future trip.
- Book a future trip.
- Set up a tent and do indoor camping.
- Do outdoor camping. Camp in the backyard or garden.
- Do a water balloon fight outside or in the yard.
- Pot some plants or flowers. Each person can take home a small potted plant or succulent.
- Hang out in the backyard and set up a self-hanging hammock stand to relax.
- Catch up and just hang out. Enjoy the night!
- Enjoy the sunset.
- Enjoy the sunrise.
- Watch the clouds.
- Stargaze.
Make a flower arrangement. |
Enjoy the sunset. |
You and your friends will have an absolute blast in the night to remember. The great news is there are fun things to do with friends at home in the morning, the afternoon, or at night, it doesn't always have to be a sleepover or evening activity. You can have fun in the morning experience as well all while making it a budget-friendly or even free process.
What can you do with your friends at home?
You and your friends can have a great time at home. Want to make it a fun night? Dig deep within yourself and identify what you actually like to do. There are a lot of fun things to do with friends at home for kids, teens, and adults alike. Teenagers might appreciate movie night, sleepovers, makeovers, a home spa day, a pool day, cooking or baking something fun like rainbow cake, video games, making TikTok videos, home indoor picnic.
What do 13-year-olds do at home with friends?
Look through these exciting activities with your friends. That way you can determine what works best for your family. In some cases, you might have to get something if you don't already own it (games like Life or Monopoly, access to movies, DVDs or streaming services, etc.) Ask your parents or see if your friends have them at their house to bring them over; it could be a potluck but for parties and everyone brings something different. There's anything that you're not sure about or if they're some supplies you want to pick up, ask your parents.
What do you do with your best friend?
If you are bored at home there are plenty of ideas to have a cool night. Invite your best friend over and do as many things on this list as you can. You can do fun things with friends without spending a lot of money. From having a picnic in the garden to cooking your favorite comfort food to blasting music on your iPhone, you can create an amazing experience without having to spend a load of money.
What can a teenage girl do when bored at home?
There is a lot for girls to do at home. You can read a book or listen to podcasts. There are so many podcasts about unique subjects you might be interested in and maybe even about your favorite shows or movies to learn more about behind-the-scenes. You can write. Get your brain moving and grooving and do a crossword puzzle. No matter what you decide to do, you and your friends will make memories and have a great time.
Things to Do in Roma Mexico City Neighborhood
Roma Mexico City is a colorful, hip neighborhood filled with culture, local pet-friendly restaurants, plants, and art galleries. Colonia Roma has a lot of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, traditional Mexican cuisine, as well as fusion restaurants. This neighborhood is covered in greenery, plants, and vines that make you feel like you're in a park, not a bustling, modern city like CDMX. CDMX is a big city with an endless amount of things to do.
Scroll down to learn more about popular questions: Is Roma in Mexico City Safe?, Restaurants and Cafes, Places to Stay, Art, Bars, and more.
Roma Mexico City is the ideal place for artists, creatives, hipsters to find inspiration. People describe Colonia Roma as a hipster-type of neighborhood. Merriam Webster defines hipster as a person who is unusually aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns. There are residential buildings, art galleries, street food, cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, art deco architecture, street art, and more. Explore the parks and squares of Roma Mexico, do a bit of shopping, then visit one of the cafes for a bite to eat.
Fodor's Inside Mexico City (Full-color Travel Guide) - Buy the book on Amazon.
Colonia Roma, Roma Norte, Roma Sur: What is the Difference?
There are many colonias or neighborhoods in CDMX. Some of the better known colonias are Bosques de las Lomas, Centro, Condesa, Roma, Colonia Juarez, Coyoacán, Del Valle, Jardines del Pedregal, Polanco, Zona Rosa, and more.
Colonia Roma is also called La Roma, La Romita, or at its simplest, Roma. You'll find this district located in Mexico City's Cuauhtémoc borough which is west of the city's historic center. Roma is broken down into Roma Norte and Roma Sur, which is the northern and southern portion of the neighborhood.
Related reading: The Xcaret Underground River Experience: Things to Do in Xcaret.
Is Roma in Mexico City Safe?
Maybe you’re wondering, is Roma Norte safe? Is it safe to walk in Roma Norte at night? Is La Condesa Mexico City Safe? The answer is yes! We felt safe walking around.
Panaderia Rosetta |
Restaurants and Cafes
Top rated restaurant-options include Fonda Recomienda, Tortería Los Güeros, Cine Tonalá, El Parnita, La Pitahaya, Lalo!, La Chicha, Panaderia Rosetta, Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria, Maximo Bistrot Local, Nudo Negro, Contramar, Mog, and so much more. Roma Norte and Roma Sur are buzzing with foodie options to make your stay in Mexico one your taste buds will never forget.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, snacks, wine, there are many Mexico City food options. Some places might have a website and social media presence where they provide their menu and hours online, while other establishments more so focus on in-person inquiries or phone calls. Check ahead to see if you need a reservation. We loved Panadería Rosetta for fresh pan dulce, pastries, and tastiness. Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria was popular amongst Mexico City locals and tourists alike, with a 45-minute wait!
Looking for more tips on things to do? Take a look at this book called Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler - Buy it on Amazon.
Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria |
Tacos
Depending where you are, there are food options within walking distance. Walking around the street can be an amazing experience in itself as you search for coffee or perhaps a mezcal. Colonia Roma is definitely a lively corner of Mexico City filled with places to eat, shop, and stay. Make a trip to the food hall market, Mercado Roma, or find some tacos at a local restaurant. Taquería Los Parados, La Chicha, El Parnita, Tacos Nena, or any other place in Roma Norte or Roma Sur. There are shrimp tacos, tacos al pastor, chicken, pork, veggie, you name it.
Classic And Contemporary Recipes From Mexico City, a cookbook - Find it here.
Mercado Roma
Mercado Roma is a thriving food hall located at Querétaro 225 Col. Roma 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX Mexico. There are many food stands to pick and choose from depending on what you're in the mood for. You can get takeout or dine in and people watch as groups nosh and sip on their delights. Check out the Mercado Roma website for current hours and food stands.
Roma Movie
You might recall hearing of Roma Mexico City from the film of the same on Netflix, Roma. Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón writes and directs Roma, an emotional portrait of a domestic worker's journey set against domestic and political turmoil in 1970s Mexico. It's on Netflix if you'd like to watch it.
Places to Stay
There are a number of bed and breakfasts, rooms, and places to stay in Roma area if you want to stay the night. You can find private rooms, apartments, vacation rentals to suit your style. There are different options based on your budget, number of guests, and length of stay. Here are a few top hotels.
Related reading: El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Mexico
Casa Goliana - luxury bed and breakfast in a restored 20th-century house with high ceilings
Address: Calle Guanajuato 199, Mexico City 06700
Phone Number: 011 52 55 6826 9648
Website: Casa Goliana
La Valise CDMX - adorned with Mexican antiques, unique art, cultured charm.
Address: Tonalá 53, Roma Norte, 06700, Roma Norte
Phone Number: +1 (305) 999 1540
Website: La Valise CDMX
Nima Local House Hotel - a boutique hotel in Mexico City
Address: Calle Colima 236 Col Roma Norte 06700
Phone Number: +52 55 7591 7175
Website: Nima Local House Hotel
Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Mexico City - Find it on Amazon.
Art
There are plenty of things to do in Mexico City. Start with a walk to an art gallery. such as Fifty24mx, Trouvé, Rojo Bermelo (in Condesa), Cultura Colectiva Galería, Vértigo Galería, Tinta Naranja (Condesa), and more.
Shopping
From shoes to books, shopping is easy in Roma. There are local boutiques and cool places all around the neighborhood. So bring your pesos or a credit card and let's get shopping. Vinyl Rules is a thrift store in Roma Norte. There's Saanta Vintage, Macundales (cards, stationery, books), Head to Bazar Cuauhtémoc for antiques. Pabellón Cuauhtémoc is a shopping center in Roma Sur. Shop vintage clothes, cute boutiques, and other things.
Bars
Sip and savor the view at one of Colonia Roma's bars. This neighborhood has quite a few options. The bar scene is ready for you. Order mezcal, tequila, pulque, whatever your heart desires. The world is your oyster. Stop by Limantour at Álvaro Obregón 106 Col. roma 06700 México, D.F. Mexico. Okupa has mezcal. You can also fine Cine Tonalá, Club San Luis, La Botica, Dance Floor (if you want to dance/go to a gay bar) XOIO Bar (has gluten-free options!), Perros y Burros, and more.
Market, Corner Stores, Groceries
If you rent a room or entire apartment in Roma, you might be on the lookout for a market to buy some basics like bottled water, veggies, fruit, and other local goods. There are Oxxo's and other markets throughout the neighborhood.
Have a Fun Trip!
This is your sign to visit Mexico City's colorful Colonia Roma neighborhood for coffee, places to stay and shop, music, culture, and amazing local Mexican food. Explore the colonias (neighborhoods) in Mexico City. I hope this entire article can help you navigate your stay in Mexico City's Colonia Roma. You could also visit nearby colonias (neighborhoods) such as Condesa and Polanco neighborhood.
Do you have any trip tips for Mexico City? Feel free to share or save a photo on Pinterest.
Learn more about traveling to Mexico on the Visit Mexico website. You'll enjoy visiting Mexico City if you like coffee shops, food stalls, museums, beautiful buildings, hidden gems, and nature! Popular things to do in CDMX are Bellas Artes, Soumaya Museum, Frida Kahlo Museum.
Read my other blog posts about Mexico:
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
North City San Marcos, CA: Restaurants, Block C Apartments, Parking, Farmers Market
Located in San Marcos, California, North City has restaurants, a farmers market, live music, apartment living, and retail shopping opportunities. Whether you're looking for urban apartment townhomes or a coffee shop to get some work done, North City is your North County San Diego downtown public community hub.
North City San Marcos is near the Cal State University San Marcos main campus as well as Pima Medical Institute and CSUSM Extended Learning. You'll find a mix of retail and residential leasing opportunities. Learn more on the North City website.
In this post, I share details about North City San Marcos CA, the restaurants, Block C apartments, parking, and businesses in the downtown area.
Farmers Market
Stop by North City's open-air market every Tuesday. It features local fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh-baked bread, seafood, dairy, nuts, fresh flowers, handcrafted gifts, prepared hot foods, and more. The market is open year-round Tuesdays 3 pm – 7 pm.
North City Restaurants
Buona Forchetta
The Buona Forchetta restaurant chain is known for its award-winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees. The San Marcos location is family-friendly with indoor seating as well as large patio options.
Address: 250 North City Drive Suite 3, San Marcos, CA
Copa Vida
Copa Vida has multiple locations throughout San Diego County. Drinks are tasty and ingredient-forward. The shop is pretty big, with bright open windows, plenty of chargers for your laptop. Over the years, this spot in North City used to be Halcyon, then GRIT, now it's Copa Vida.
Address: 250 North City Dr. Suite 1, San Marcos, CA 92078
Draft Republic - Not Open Yet
Draft Republic boasts 36 craft beers on tap, an on-site brewery, comfort food, full cocktail bar, 8 lane bowling alley, video wall, retro arcade, live music, private party rooms, outdoor patios, and more.
Fresh Healthy Cafe
Get your health-forward smoothies, fresh-squeezed juice, wraps, salads, or crunchy, warm, and melty paninis at Fresh Healthy Cafe. They also offer catering for your next event.
Address: 250 N City Dr Suite 5, San Marcos, CA 92078
Mason Ale Works - Temporarily Closed
Address: 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Tapioca Express
Parched? Searching for teas, boba, and maybe a snack? Tapioca Express offers milk tea, mangonada, juice, hot teas, and loads of beverage options to whet your appetite. Snacks include chicken wings, fried tofu, French fries, fried dumpling, among other items.
Address: 200 E Barham Dr Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92078
Urge Gastropub & Common House - Permanently Closed
Address: 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Umami Japanese
Umami Japanese serves rich, delicious cuisine in North City. They have a pet-friendly patio, perfect for bringing the whole family. The extensive menu boasts draft beer, Japanese beer, hot sake, wine, appetizers, salads, lunch specials, dinner bento, and so much more.
Address: 251 N City Dr Suite 122, San Marcos, CA 92078
Wynston's Ice Cream Co.
The flavors at Wynston's Ice Cream (formerly called Wynn's Ice Cream) will leave your mouth watering for more options. They have classic, nostalgic favorites always on the menu such as cookies in cream, mint chocolate chunk, peanut butter chocolate as well as rotating fun seasonal flavors. They also have vegan/dairy-free options.
Address: 251 N City Dr Suite 128E, San Marcos, CA 92078
Block C Apartments
Live in North City at the Block C Apartments - now leasing built-to-suit or spec units. You'll find modern, pet-friendly lofts and townhome apartments with state-of-the-art neighborhood amenities. It's walkable and you're right next to a bunch of restaurants, dining options, the university, and more. Perfect for campus-affiliated housing.
Other Businesses
North City has offices and commercial spaces to boot. If you're a local business, perhaps you're seeking retail, commercial office, or medical office spaces. These are available at North City as well. Join the party. Make sure to check online or call ahead to learn each business's current hours.
Mesa Rim
There's climbing, yoga, and fitness right in the heart of North City. Mesa Rim is an indoor rock climbing gym and fitness center. Bring friends, kids, family, and have fun.
Address: 285 Industrial Street San Marcos
Union Cowork
Get your cowork on at Union Cowork. They have flexible desks, dedicated desks, private offices, virtual offices, conference rooms, podcast rooms, and more.
Address: Address: 251 N City Dr #128F, San Marcos
Related reading: Things to Do in North County San Diego, California
CSUSM Extended Learning
Address: 288 Campus Way, San Marcos
Pima Medical Institute
Address: 111 Campus Way, San Marcos
Parking
Structure 1 – 201 Campus Way
7 days a week – Retail Parking Rules
Level 1. 90 min from 5 am - 2 am.
Level 2-5. No limit, just don’t park in Reserved Residential.
Structure 2 – 295 June Way
Mon – Fri – Retail Parking Rules
Level 1-2. 90 min from 5 am to 6 pm, then no time limit until 2 am.
Level 2-6. No Parking (CSUSM only) from 5am to 6pm, then no time limit until 2 am.
Sat & Sun – Retail Parking Rules
Level 1-2. 90 min from 5 am to 6 pm, then no time limit until 2 am.
Level 2-6. No time limit from 5 am to 2 am.
Located in San Marcos, North City's restaurant, retail, and residential options make it a thriving community development and neighborhood in North County San Diego. San Marcos is close to Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Vista, and Oceanside.
Related reading:
Coffee Shops in Carlsbad, California
Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking, Everything You Need to Know!
The Xcaret Underground River Experience: Things to Do in Xcaret Park, Cancun
Picture yourself floating magnificently down an underground river created by nature, enjoying the view as you swim. Imagine the utter thrill of releasing all control and trusting mother nature to guide you through dark crevices in a natural underground cave.
Experience the wonderful attractions at X C A R E T park, a world full of adventure hidden in the tropical paradise of Cancun Quintana Roo, Mexico. You and your family are bound to have fun and memories to last for years to come.
Xcaret Park is basically the Disneyland of Mexico. There's food, attractions, entertainment, remarkable views, but there's also an underground river, zip-lining, & so much more. Xcaret Cancún Park is popular amongst Riviera Maya locals, citizens from Mexico, as well as tourists from all over the world. This is one of those one-stop-shops. People dedicate days here or just a day, depending on your energy level.
Related reading: El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Mexico
Floating the Natural Xcaret Underground River Cancun
Xcaret Park has underground rivers allowing guests to swim in the waters through dark caves & into the tropical world of Xcaret. The names of the underground rivers include the Blue River, the Mayan River, and the Manatee River. Xcaret is located in Cancun in the Riviera Maya (Maya River Mexico), near Playa del Carmen, giving it a natural vibe that's unlike any other theme park. You can unknowingly trek through a jungle, only realizing it when you see it from about. The pure expanse of trees as far as the eye can see. You have a feeling like you're just one fraction, a tiny leaf or bug in an enormous jungle.
You'll find something great to explore in every corner. Xcaret is a popular trip destination for a reason. It's one of those places you must travel to at least once. Xcaret's Cancun Eco Park in Playa del Carmen offers the Mayan Village, the Aviary, the Coral Reef Aquarium, & the Butterfly Pavilion. Get your grub on with fresh food at one of their many restaurants. I only spent one day at Xcaret & feel like I missed out on a lot; there was so much more I could have done, seen, experienced, & of course, eaten. A vacation isn't a just chance to rest but an opportunity to learn more about the world around you.
Underground Rivers
The Xcaret river experience is easily one of the most popular things to do in Xcaret Park. The underground rivers flow about 16.4 feet below the ground. Xcaret Park gives you a life vest & flippers for the river experience. I went with my family, a group ranging from a 50-something-year-old who couldn't swim to kids who could kind of swim to myself, an Olympic gold medalist. Oh wait, that's not me. I'm not an Olympic medalist but I know how to swim more or less. The swimming experience is easy. Simply hold on the road as a guide & the lifejacket helps keep you buoyant.
For snorkeling, guests can rent snorkel gear for a cost as well as a refundable deposit. However, if you have an Xcaret Plus ticket, you only need to pay the refundable deposit. Take a look at the Xcaret website for information about the underground rivers.
Related reading: Things to Do in Queretaro Centro, Mexico Top Attractions
Paradise River allows you to witness the beauty of the underground rivers without having to dive into the water. Paradise River runs along stretches of the Tropical Jungle Trail as you waft a raft. If you're not a swimmer or don't want to get wet, this is a superb option. Whether you swim through it or float through it, don't miss the experience of the Xcaret underground river in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Due to the whole underwater aspect, I didn't bring a phone or a camera so I made sure to utilize the photo-taking capabilities of my wristband. I took some photos throughout Xcaret Park but not at all during the underground river exploration. I love photos & being able to fondly look back on memories but sometimes you just have to completely absorb without any distractions.
How Long is the Underground River at Xcaret Park?
The river has an extension of 656 yards & an average depth of 5 ft. The underground rivers aren't for practicing laps, you can't just swim willy nilly wherever you want. Parts of the underground river are literally pitch black & you'll want to follow the rope lead like it's nobody's business. Other parts enable you to revel in the natural light of the sun. If you ever feel over your head, scared, or as though you've had enough, you can leave at one of the designated exits along the way.
Life jacket use is mandatory & it helps you float throughout the course. There are no waves so you don't have to stress about being overpowered. That said, everyone must wear a lifejacket. Why wouldn't you want to? Like I said, it gets dark in certain areas so you'll appreciate those safety precautions when you're in the water.
Related reading: Things to Do in Roma Mexico City Neighborhood
How Cold is the Water in Xcaret?
I visited in December & parts of the Xcaret underground river waters were cold-ish but nothing frigid. If you visit in summer, I imagine the temperature of the water is refreshing or warm! Even throughout that December day, the air felt warm against your skin, the sun shone brightly, drop of sweat rolls down your cheek after tracking all afternoon. The underground river sounds refreshing right now.
Tickets & Admission
There's Food and Beverage tickets, Photopass tickets, adult options, child options, so choose what works for your family, depending on what attractions you want to see. Beautiful Xcaret Park offers experiences you won't forget. They even have fun, educational, exiciting performances! Google it and read a review or two to see what others say.
Xcaret Plus admission includes a number of convenient, fun perks such as:
- One lunch buffet
- Tours in three underground rivers
- Xcaret México Espectacular presentation
- Access to the beach, inlet, & natural pools
- Visits to the Butterfly Pavilion, Coral Reef Aquarium and the Aviary
- Children’s World, a place of fun exclusively for the little ones
- Horse Exhibition, Papantla Flying Men and Pre-Hispanic Dances
- Tropical jungle trail
Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Show
Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Show is fantastic, showstopping, acrobatic, cinematic, & entertaining as hell. The costumes alone were a masterpiece with bobbing flamingos & jellyfish dancing their way across the stage. Hundreds of cast members make their appearance throughout the show, somewhere around 300 to be presence. You'll experience the history of Mexico through song & dance. You'll watch a terrifying match of the Mayan fireball game. Learn more about the Expectacular Show on their website and check the hours.
Address: Carretera Chetúmal Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Where Can We Stay Nearby?
It also includes the use of snorkeling gear, lounge chairs, hammocks rest areas, free parking, & more. Read about the Plus admission features on the Xcaret website. If you plan to stay more than a whole day, it certainly helps to spend the night in a nearby hotel. If you have money to spend, the Hotel Xcaret Mexico is the most convenient choice. They have 900 rooms ready for you & your family.
The Hotel Xcaret Mexico has an ALL-FUN INCLUSIVE® vacation option which includes unlimited access to the parks Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco & Xenses, tours to Xenotes & Xichen, transportation between parks, airport shuttle, food & drink.
If you have a car or rental car you can drive in from your own hotel, Airbnb, or wherever you're staying. That's what we did. We drove in for the day. Had fun. Swam in an underground river. Ate tacos with an ocean view. Saw flamingos.
I positively enjoyed my time at Xcaret eco park in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo with a range of family members. Kids, adults, & elders can revel in the diverse entertainment, good food, & fun. I definitely could've stayed longer; I'm sure it would have been fun & I would've tried out more of the features. Hope you have a chance to enjoy it yourself!
Visiting Mexico
Mexico is a large country with so much to offer, making it the perfect spot for a fun trip. Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya is an incredible place to explore. Take a look at the Visit Mexico website for more information on tourism. Did you know Mexico has 32 states? Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur , Campeche, Coahuila, Colima, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Durango, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatán, & Zacatecas.
Cancun, located in the state of Quintana Roo, is certainly one of the more popular locations but it not for nothing. With crystal clear warm water & absolutely intoxicating food like huitlacoche tacos. What is huitlacoche you ask? What does it taste like? Read this post. Search for a place to eat, there are plenty of options in Cancun. You'll have a great trip!
Read my other blog posts about Mexico:
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
Things To Do at Playas de Tijuana, Mexico
Things to Do in Queretaro Centro, Mexico Top Attractions
El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Mexico
Halliwell Manor: Where is the Charmed House Located? Where was Charmed Filmed?
If you're a Charmed fan you've seen a lot of Halliwell Manor over the seasons. In the TV show, the Victorian-style manor is based in San Francisco, but that's not where the series was filmed.
Where did the Halliwell sisters live on the tv series “Charmed”?
The witches lived in San Francisco. The Halliwell family went through a lot of tribulations & jubilations in that house in San Francisco. And plenty of magic! It was passed down over the generations. The Book of Shadows played an important part up in their attic of those witch sisters, Piper, Prue Phoebe and Paige.
The Warren line of witches is powerful. For the most part, we saw the women inside their home with shots of the outside of the Halliwell house more seen during transitions for scenes. The manor stayed in the Warren family line for four generations. Where was this filmed? If you were ever wondering about the Halliwell manor Charmed houses, this post has the information you're looking for.
Doing some external maintenance on the Charmed House/Halliwell house in LA. |
Where Is Halliwell Manor in real life? The house used for Charmed is a real house that real people live at. There are no tours. It is a neighborhood with people please be respectful. The address is 1329 Carroll Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026. The whole street is historic!
If you're in the LA area you need to check out the Halliwell manor near the Echo Park neighborhood. Where is Charmed filmed? You can actually find the Charmed house location in Los Angeles. Can you believe it? I suppose it's not the biggest surprise considering Hollywood & Los Angeles is well-known for being a big part of the movie industry. That said, the tv show takes place in San Francisco so it is a bit of a shock to find out that's not where it was shot. 500 Hidden Secrets in LA.
@carmenvarner Los Angeles hidden gem: The house from Charmed ##charmed ##losangeles ##la ##fypage ##thingstodo ##hiddengem ##travel ##travelbucketlist ##witch ##fypシ 🔮
♬ original sound - carmenvarner
Plan a trip! The address is 1329 Carroll Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026. The entire street is lined with remarkable, unique homes that you won't want to miss. The home's estimated value as of August 2020 is just over $1,100,000, & it has only gotten more popular with time. These days people have easy access to watching the Charmed TV show snuggled in their pajamas tucked in bed as they watch Netflix. It's certainly having its revival in popularity.
If you like to travel, add this location to your bucket list if you are a big fan. Not only is it a beautiful house but the street is lined with remarkable Victorian-style manors. Read 111 Places in Los Angeles that you can't miss!
“Our powers are not toys.” - Prue Halliwell: Season 1, Episode 2
You can find the original structure of the house on 1329 Carroll Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026, along with a bunch of other beautiful houses on the same street, such as the Heim House which is at 1320 Carroll Avenue. The Victorian mansions are worth a visit since you're already in the area. They filmed loads of outside shots of Halliwell house for the show, so it's easily recognizable. Walk around the neighborhood to get the full scope of the Victorian-style manor, architecture, windows, even the door!
If you want to shop online so you can have episodes conveniently located at your home, opt for Charmed: the Complete Series or start with Charmed Season 1. Do you have a favorite season?
Whether you're a new Charmed fan or you've seen every episode 100 times & can quote every line, no matter what - you are welcome here on my blog!
Los Angeles has literally thousands of things you can potentially do, so this is just something to do if you have extra time or are a Charmed fan. Surprisingly, it's not very well known that the Charmed manor is actually in LA. I found it on accident as I was looking at the map, it just showed up. Carroll Avenue is located in Los Angeles near Echo Park. The neighborhood is beautiful.
Is the Halliwell Manor a Real House?
Oh yes! It's definitely a real house & a stunning one at that, well from what I've seen at least since you can't tour it. However, the exterior of the house is different than the set they used for the inside of the house. The furniture on TV is not the same as the actual interior of the house. When I visited they were doing construction on the exterior of the house. It looked like they were just doing standard maintenance to make it look refreshed. It's an old Victorian house after all. Explore the area, there are other gorgeous houses to see.
People live in the home so it's not available for tours or anything tour options I know of. Where did the Halliwell sisters live on the tv series “Charmed”? In the tv show, the home is supposed to be on 1329 Prescott Street, San Francisco. But there's no location to tour in San Francisco!
“We kick evil’s ass every day.” “Sometimes twice a day.” - Paige Matthews and Piper Halliwell: Season, 4, Episode 15
Is the Charmed House Los Angeles Historic?
In 1976, the entire 1300 block of Carroll Avenue was listed as a National Register of Historic Places. (Learn more about the National Register of Historic Places.) The Carroll Avenue 1300 block contains the highest concentration of Victorian Era residences still standing in Los Angeles. The interesting homes are considered part of the Eastlake & Queen Anne style. Built by real estate developer and city councilman, Daniel Innes, the Charmed house location in real life is called the Innes House. It's one of the original homes build during the 1880s on Carroll Avenue in Angelino Heights.
These nine Victorian residences are considered Los Angeles-Historic-Cultural Monuments as they represent times long gone, a dedication to architecture, beauty, design. This house had some external work done such as a paint job & fixing the roof, but much of it remains intact. For the most part, it's still the original structure.
Buy the full Charmed DVD disc set on Amazon.
Can You Visit the Halliwell Manor?
Here's the thing: the Halliwell house is a real house & real people live there. It's a private residence and historical landmark. It's a historic home, the Innes House. The whole street is a historic site. It's not a fake house on a fake street with fake people. It's a neighborhood with humans who genuinely live there. Be considerate & respectful when you visit. Don't walk directly onto their property, keep your distance & get a shot from the sidewalk. The home is tall so you don't want to cut it out by getting too close anyway! You can't go inside but you can take photos from the outside. The real name of the house is the Innes House.
Where was Charmed Filmed?
Perhaps you're searching for the Charmed house San Francisco. For the most part, the filming location for Charmed was at Paramount Studios at 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Exterior shots of Halliwell manor were shot at 1329 Carroll Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Despite the tv show being based in San Francisco, they didn't film there! There is no Charmed house San Francisco.
Don't Forget to Check Out the Thriller House
While you're in the area, check out the Thriller House on the same block. The address is 1345 Carroll Avenue in Angelino Heights. The home is called the Sanders House & is well-known as the place featured in Michael Jackson's Thriller music video. Check out the Thriller CD on Amazon. You'll love walking around the neighborhood known for its architecture and history.
You might be interested to read my blog post about checking out the Gilmore Girls location: Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed? Where Is Stars Hollow?
About Charmed
The Charmed series has eight seasons that aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006. Fans across the globe were devastated when the show was canceled but at least we can watch it now. Since the show first aired in 1998, the fashion & style really reflects the era. They have some pretty iconic outfits & cool looks. These badass witches use their powers to fend off the world of evil & other creatures & demons that come into the mix.
The Book of Shadows is a family spellbook filled with all the essentials of witchcraft. The manor has been in the Warren line for four generations. The Book of Shadows includes spells, incantations, instructions for potions, & everything in between. There are even some Book of Shadow Replica books out there. The tv show received a cult following of people who enjoy watching the episodes to this day. Perhaps you are one of those people! I know I am. They are the Charmed ones.
“Stop trying to predict the future, that’s my job.” - Phoebe Halliwell: Season 2, Episode 16
The main actors include Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, T.W. King, Dorian Gregory, Greg Vaughan. Karis Paige Bryant, Brian Krause, Julian McMahon, Rose McGowan, Drew Fuller, & Kaley Cuoco. The show is supposed to take place in the city of San Francisco, California: located on 1329 Prescott Street, San Francisco.
The main characters are Piper Halliwell, Phoebe Halliwell, Prue Halliwell, Paige Matthews, Leo Wyatt, Darryl Morris, Cole Turner, Wyatt Halliwell, Elise Rothman, Inspector Andy Trudeau, Billie Jenkins, & a bunch more. Did you know you can buy Piper Halliwell action figure dolls online?!
Once again, find the Halliwell Manor located on 1329 Carroll Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The street has a bunch of interesting houses. Los Angeles has rooftop bars to enjoy creative cocktails & trendy places to eat, but it also has the Halliwell Manor! The Victorian-style manor is near Echo Park, so you can spend the afternoon in the area; hang out at the park, reading a book under the cozy shade of a swaying palm tree.
The great thing about television is that it allows you to live a different life, meet new people, take part in a world you've never been to.
Have you visited? Please feel free to share your experience, your favorite Charmed episode, or anything. Hope you have a great day & happy watching! Do you have a favorite season or character? What's your favorite thing to do in Echo Park/Angelino Heights?
Other Things to do: San Diego Edition
Things to Do in North County San Diego, California. North County San Diego has hundreds of e experiences to offer, from coastal surfing to hiking in the mountains to sipping craft beer. The coastal cities are Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, Solana Beach, and Vista. Inland cities are Escondido, Poway, San Marcos. The mountain cities include Ramona & Valley Center.
Things to do in Oceanside, California: food, coffee shops, beaches, & more.
Things to do in Encinitas, California: surf, fun, food, & other stuff.