Oceanside vs. Huntington Beach: The Surfer's Choice for a Coastal Getaway
Oceanside and Huntington Beach share the same DNA — long piers, surf contests, and a deep history tied to California's beach culture. But while Huntington has leaned into the "Surf City USA" marketing machine, Oceanside's stayed raw, creative, and quietly cool. Both towns love their waves, but only one still feels like a real community.
The Scene
Huntington's a well-oiled machine. Big-brand boardshort shops, crowded beach festivals, and surf industry logos on every other building. It's fun for a day, but it's built for crowds, not connection.
Oceanside's scene is smaller, grittier, and way more personal. The town's creative energy has exploded in the last decade, but it hasn't lost its blue-collar edge. You'll find shapers glassing boards behind industrial roll-up doors, coffee roasters sharing space with artists, and restaurants owned by people you actually meet when you walk in. It's not "undiscovered," but it's still grounded — a surf town growing on its own terms.
The Surf
Huntington has consistency. Oceanside has character.
Both get year-round waves, but the experience is different. Huntington's lineup is packed with locals and tourists alike — competitive, crowded, and often more hassle than it's worth. Oceanside offers a little more freedom. The Pier breaks in multiple peaks, the Harbor fires in winter, and South Jetty holds shape through most swells.
Winter is when Oceanside shines: clean, fast rights and mornings where you'll paddle out with ten people instead of fifty. The water's clear, the energy's mellow, and if you time the tides right, you'll score waves that rival anywhere in Southern California. We're also a stone's throw from Carlsbad, Trestles, and North County's many hidden gems.
Eat, Drink, Repeat
Huntington has chain restaurants, beach bars, and big-name steakhouses. Oceanside has local flavor, international influence, and everything from Michelin-star dining to damn good tacos.
Start your morning at Seaborne Coffee, which roasts its own beans and serves locals heading out for dawn patrol. Lunch means Shootz Fish & Beer, Craft Coast Beer & Tacos, or a burrito from Colima's if you want to go full local.
For dinner, Frankie's is the go-to for a low-lit cocktail after a day in the water. If you're looking for something more refined, The Plot proves plant-based food can still feel indulgent. Everything's walkable. Everything's independent. And everything tastes better after a surf.
The Culture
Oceanside's having a moment. The old military town's energy is blending with a new creative scene, featuring galleries, small music venues, and makerspaces built into converted garages. The California Surf Museum still anchors the town's identity, but the vibe now is more young and local than nostalgic.
Where to Stay
The Green Room Hotel fits right into that community. Just south of downtown Oceanside, near the Carlsbad border, it's close to everything but tucked away enough to stay quiet. The property feels like an updated surf compound with its palm-lined courtyard, outdoor showers, and vintage coastal design that doesn't take itself too seriously.
It's a boutique in all the right ways — small-scale, locally owned, and built for guests who care more about experience than status.
From here, you can surf in the morning, walk into town for dinner, and end the night by the firepit, swapping stories with other travelers.
Huntington Beach has the name. Oceanside has the soul.
If you want crowds, contests, and a strip of surf-branded storefronts, Huntington's got you covered. But if you want actually to live the lifestyle — wake up by the water, surf until you're tired, eat something good, and crash somewhere that feels real — Oceanside's the obvious choice.