Ocean Beach Boardwalk

I love SD! definitely relaxing and beautiful. Very clean and convenient to all the shops and restaurants.

I love OB even though my sixth grade teacher who is a friend of mine on Facebook tells me that I need to be careful because of the crime rate. I think OB has a certain charm. It’s eclectic and fun and people are friendly, homeless or not. The boardwalk area has lots of cool little places to check out. And it’s the beach. In California. Can it be that bad? Nope. Arm yourself with pepper spray if you’re scared. But you won’t need it. My friends and I sometimes bring a bottle of wine and pour it into to-​go coffee cups and watch the sunset. We fit right it. Life is short folks. Enjoy the moments.

So, OB’s boardwalk may not be as elaborate and long as PB’s, but it’s home and I find it wonderful. If you do any kind of running or walking in the area, definitely include it as a leg of your trip.
On the main grassy area, there are often small events that are held with booths for food, drinks, and other goodies/​freebies – this often extends into the parking lot adjacent to the pier. On a regular day, there are people juggling or doing couples yoga on the grass which is fun to watch. I’ve even seen many people getting Day 1 of their surf lessons here. With your dogs, be wary that they are only allowed during certain times of the day/​year. If you’re not much into that, go grab a table at Wonderland or Shades and soak in the great views of this boardwalk along with the pier and water.
As I understand it, the Boardwalk begins at the staircase up to the pier on the south goes all the way up the beach to Cape May Pl. Some people even consider the fire pits as a part of the boardwalk, but that may be up for debate. The heart of the boardwalk is the small patch of grass between the flags/​paved area and the lifeguard station. We’ve found hermit crabs climbing in the rocks before!

I have love for all beaches and boardwalks, though this one really is «where IS the boardwalk?» Very short, walking down Newport Ave is actually more exciting. It’s still a nice beach with a whole different crowd than any of the other places and worth checking out at least once while in San Diego.

Came here on memorial day! And surprisingly it wasn’t too packed! There’s plenty of parking all around! Tons of shops and food spots all over! The pier/​boardwalk is super long! But such a gorgeous view!

ummm… wheres the OB boardwalk? you mean the wall where all those «people» hang out at? yea, i been there, i think…
there are better spots in OB for sure though… meet me at the boardwalk, i will gladly show you the better spots — if youre cool.

I have to admit, PB has the best boardwalk if youre looking to people watch and actually get some exercise at the same time.
Ob’s boardwalk… well. its short and not very exciting. Night and day from the PB boardwalk actually.
You will see your fair amount of homeless folks, skaters, surfers and locals though. Sometimes even punk rock types. Lately hipsters seem to be coming to OB. Yes, I notice.
Not too many tourist flock here and for me that is golden. They can stay in PB or La Jolla.

You are probably wondering: there is a Boardwalk in Ocean Beach?
Well, yes-it’s about 2 blocks long, but could easily be extended and probably should. Mission Beach Boardwalk may have it’s roller-​bladers and hot SDSU coeds and Pacific Beach-​the drunks and the frat boys (same thing) but we got the priceless OB vibe! Though nothing to make the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach Boardwalks worry about, our little OB path is pretty cool and certainly colorful!
Lounging on the perimeter along the way can be found assorted drug-​dealers, Rasta’s with dreadlocks, misguided musicians with guitars, drug-​dealers, barefoot hippie females, drug-​dealers, tourists, and the ever-​present homeless! Did I already mention drug-​dealers? Once in a while, there will pass a hapless homie such as myself-​on bike or foot. Then there are always the surfers.
Start at the foot of the Ocean Beach Pier-​in the parking lot below Niagara Avenue. That is where the Boardwalk runs along the Beach heading north and past the foot of Newport Avenue. I was there today admiring the somewhat shabby (but chic) OB Christmas Tree-​decorated with hanging beach balls! Wishing I had my camera, I got to thinking: there absolutely needs to be a straight path line from this vantage point-​all the way down to Dog Beach-​which is the official hook-​up entrance to the San Diego River Bike Path. This would assure a safe pedestrian continuity –from Mission Valley and points east and also from the beach communities to the north-​into Ocean Beach proper.
Along Abbott Street, and past the dead end of Newport Avenue, the «Boardwalk» stops in the Santa Monica Ave. Lifeguard Station parking lot. It simply dead ends at the showers and parking lot. There is a dirt alley that runs along Saratoga Avenue Park-​that could technically be made into a continuation of the OB Boardwalk and that dirt path runs along the beach and in front of some cottages. It ends up at the Brighton Avenue entrance to North OB parking lot.
It is my wish that somehow, someday, and in some way, the city could acquire or condemn-​excuse me, set-​aside an Empowerment
Zone of beach frontage running from the Santa Monica Ave. parking lot north to North OB parking lot where a Boardwalk could continue along North Ocean Beach onto the entrance of Dog Beach. This would also be an official bike trial that would link the San Diego River Bike Path to Ocean Beach proper, and further on to Sunset Cliffs and beyond.
Perhaps this is just another one of my pipe dreams, but the 2 block OB Boardwalk will just have to suffice for now. Don’t forget to go check out the Christmas Tree mounted in the sand with the awesome beach ball ornaments! Who said you need snow to get into the spirit of the season?