Oceanside Photo & Telescope

Specialties

Telescopes, microscopes, cameras, lenses, binoculars,& CCD Imaging equipment. If it has a lens, we have it or can get it. Tons of accessories and educational materials.

We cater to astronomers and photographers of every experience level and strive to offer them the very best optical equipment, accessories and advice. OPT carries a huge range of telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, digital cameras and lenses, and CCD imaging equipment. We can outfit any imager, astronomer or outdoor enthusiast with the optical gear they need.

Our staff consists of avid photographers and astronomers that are passionate about the hobby. Their expertise combined with our selection, is what makes Oceanside Photo & Telescope one of the largest optical stores in the world!

History

Established in 1947.

OPT was founded in 1947. Originally called Oceanside Photographic Center, it mainly sold and repaired camera equipment to the Marines from the local base, Camp Pendleton.

In 1974 and 1977 both saw expansions to the store, still known as OPC. In 1982 Oceanside Photographic Center bought and sold their very first telescope. Within three short years, the astronomy business was booming and we officially changed our name to Oceanside Photo & Telescope.

In 1994 OPT started their very first website, which was at first a non-​commerce site to educate our customers on products and promotions that could be found in store. In 1997 we introduced e-​commerce to the site and it has been growing ever since.

As the astronomy business continued to skyrocket, we have expanded our store and warehousing numerous times and today you’ll find us in a beautiful building of our very own which houses all of our administrative offices, warehousing and a gorgeous, giant showroom with hundreds of items on demo.

Meet the Business Owner

Craig W.

Business Owner

In 1974, when Craig Weatherwax, took over a tiny store called Oceanside Photographic Center, he thought he’d dabble in the retail sales of cameras for a few years. Thirty-​eight years later, he’s still running the place, now called Oceanside Photo and Telescope, having grown the store into an amazing thirty-​five employee destination wonderland for photographers and amateur astronomers. Craig’s vision and management skill have made OPT an international ecommerce behemoth, and the nation’s largest brick and mortar dealer of telescopes, cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes and accessories. Their $ 2.2 million dollar building is one of the largest and most complete showrooms in the world. Not only can you find nearly 100 different telescopes on display, you can also check out the star dome overhead, the beautiful glass compass-​rose underfoot or the exotic armillary sphere near the entrance.