Oceanside

Sidecar and Moke Tours Offer a Fresh Perspective

Visitors can discover Oceanside’s beauty and culture from the perspective of two new tour offerings: Pegasus Sidecar tours and electric Moke tours. With Pegasus Sidecar Tours, participants hop into a vintage sidecar attached to a classic motorcycle and embark on guided adventures along scenic routes that include the historic Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside Pier, and more. Sidecars hold up to two people and small pets can come along too. Moke and Sons self-guided tours are a fun, eco-friendly and stylish way to cruise “California style” around town. A throw back to a European classic, the newly minted low-speed Moke Electric Vehicles can be delivered directly to Mission Pacific Beach Resort and The Seabird Ocean Resort and Spa and are a family-friendly option for cruising the Historic Highway 101 and surrounding areas. Packages are available for 2 hours, 5 hours or all day.

South O’s Heritage Barbecue Introduces First Female Pitmaster

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, Heritage Barbecue in South Oceanside is breaking the mold with new female pitmaster, Ari Valenzuela. A North County San Diego native, Valenzuela’s experience includes working in kitchens at popular north county restaurants Campfire and Park 101. Her fiery passion for barbecue has also been honed from over 15 years of experience with her personal offset smoker.

New “Mission District” Dining

Oceanside’s culinary scene continues to innovate with several local favorites in the downtown “Mission District” debuting new spaces, menus and offerings. Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen debuted East Wing Lounge, a wine bar in an adjacent space to the restaurant. The intimate space with just 38 seats has a relaxed, vintage vibe and includes an open ceiling with exposed redwood beams. Rosewood Kitchen has pivoted from international cuisine to Japanese comfort food, inspired by Chef and Owner Joshua Ramirez’s childhood influences from growing up in Japan. The new menu includes appetizers, ramen, and house specials as well as a sushi pop-up on Monday. To complement its award-winning brews, veteran-owned Northern Pine Brewing has introduced The Lodge, a new in-house eatery serving mountain food inspired by the team’s favorite meals enjoyed while growing up on a ranch. Menu items include items such as buttery cast iron biscuits, fried chicken, finger steaks, homemade French Fries, potato salad and sweet treats with huckleberries. Along with the new dining venue, the brewery has a new outdoor patio and deck space giving visitors more options for enjoying the local craft experience.

DIY In Oceanside

Art lovers can discover a multitude of new DIY experiences to indulge their creative sides while making meaningful pieces inspired by their time in Oceanside. At Art Magic, memories of days spent at the beach are captured through epoxy resin as participants design ocean-themed trays, cheese boards, and coasters. Oceanside Museum of Art’s monthly bite-sized Taste of Art happy hour includes a museum educator-led lively artist discussion over drinks and nibbles followed by an activity where participants create a work of art inspired by the artist. Sip, Paint, and Gaze happens every Friday night at The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa. Open to resort guests and non-guests, participants find inspiration in coast views as they paint a sunset masterpiece while enjoying libations. Located in a former gas station from the 1930s, Rising Co. cooperative offers a rotating calendar of make and create workshops where participants can learn how to oil and stamp veg-tan leather, turn plastic bags into zipper pouches, and more.

Oceanside-Infused Holidays

Kicking off the holiday season is the popular Thanksgiving Day O’side Turkey Trot, which takes participants along a scenic course through downtown Oceanside and along the coastline. Festivities continue into December with the official tree lighting in the Pacific Plaza on December 7 that includes visits with Santa, arts, crafts and a gift mart. Other December events include holiday concerts performed by the San Luis Rey Chorale at the historic Mission San Luis Rey, a holiday-themed Sunset Market each Thursday and the Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights on December 9 where fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dress up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers. For anytime fun, Oceanside’s Top Tier Escape Rooms, voted the best in San Diego, is debuting a special Christmas themed challenge to delight holiday revelers of all ages.

For more about what’s new in Oceanside, visit www.visitoceanside.org.