The OB Hostel. It’s a whole other state of mind…
Sometimes a place is a whole other state of mind, and going to Ocean Beach is exactly that. Hang out for a day in OB and you embark on a journey into an alternative psychedelic universe to a place that remains locked in time and spirit. Yeah it’s kinda like a hippy version of Star Trek. This is THE original free spirit hangout of San Diego, THE original dog beach and the only place where that hang-back surfer 60′s vibe is still abundant.
There is no other spot in San Diego that is as unique and fiercely independent, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
The fabulous OB pier
Ocean Beach viewed from the pier
I originally became involved with OB back when we lived in San Diego and I was running health classes around town. Before I started running my class there I only had a faint idea of what the place was like, but once I got involved in the local community I realized it was completely different from anywhere else in San Diego. This is the melting pot of melting pots -> a grand ratatouille of hippies, surfers, alternative families, musicians, Deadheads, politic misfits and students that have all bonded to produce a beach community with a totally alternative vibe. To say the locals love OB is an understatement. They are passionate about the place and everything here reflects that unique view!
Ocean Beach was developed in 1887 and remained largely isolated from the rest of San Diego until Hwy 8 was built in the mid-1960′s. The location and isolation was probably part of the reason it developed such a unique personality. The town attracted free spirits from the beginning and retained it’s personality by keeping building development curtailed. Today’s OB has a has a very cool downtown strip (Newport Ave) packed in with antiques, food and shopping that reflect the original spirit of the town. Here’s just a few of our favorite jaunts:
The interior decor at Hodad’s
Paul chats to the waitress at The 3rd Corner
Downtown seating on Newport Ave
Sooooo OB….surf board and bike
Going for a splash at Ocean Beach Dog Beach
- Hodad’s: Our main food-hunt is the eclectic Hodad’s, a practical institution when it comes to burgers in San Diego. The shop is a hole-in-the-wall packed with surf-boards, licence plates and blasting music that is almost always packed to the rim. We come for the juicy fare, the vibe and the fact that they’ll offer lettuce-wraps (great for gluten-intolerant like ourselves). My favorite is the Blue Jay, but just about any burger on the menu is a home run. If you’re feeling particularly gourmet order one of their milk shakes, a delectable desert all in itself.
- The 3rd Corner: This cozy wine-shop/restaurant is where we go when we want to have a romantic dinner in town. Buy the wine from the fabulous collection in-shop and drink it with your fresh California-cuisine meal for only $5 corkage fee. We love it so much we’ve been here 3 times since we’ve been in San Diego.
- Shopping: OB is definitely a shoppers paradise for the alternative minded. The Black is a famous head shop for all things hippy, but there are also thrift stores, antique shops and record stores on the main strip.
- Ocean Beach Pier: At 1,971 feet OB pier is one of the longest concrete piers in the world. Opened in 1966 it dominates the beach landscape and offers sunset walks, fishing and even a Cafe (what a view!) at the far end.
- Dog Beach: This is THE original off-leash dog beach in San Diego, so much so that’s it’s simply known as “Dog Beach”. It’s 10 acres of brilliant sand that also doubles up as a great surf-spot too. It’s always full of paws, but has lots of space for everyone to run around. For those that need it you can head over to Dog Wash for a rinse after the run.
- Wednesday Farmers Market: If you’re in the area do not miss the Wednesday down-town Farmers Market. This is the most original of the San Diego markets with a focus on crafts and live music. Every Wed from 4-8PM. Feel free to bring doggie too (everyone else does!).
Fishing on the pier in OB
Paul enjoys the view on the pier
We met our RV friends Kathie and Bob on another perfect afternoon for a burger and a walk around town. It started at Hodad’s (of course) after which we meandered down the pier to check out the surfers and enjoy the view. Kathie and I both commented on the fact that we both would have loved to live here in our 20′s. It’s a city-in-one (many OBers never leave the place) and exactly the kind of spot that inspires creative thinking and living. Our spot by Mission Bay is right around the corner making this an easy hop and a skip from the RV park (there’s even a great bike trail all the way around the bay and into the beach). If you’re in the area and looking for something different, definitely make the trip. Like I said, it’s a whole other state of mind!
Interior of the iconic Hodad’s
The “Cow” shop…LPs anyone?
View down the main drag of Newport Ave
An old VW, surf boards and color sums up OB in one pic
How far is this from Slab City? Ocean Beach is definitely going on our list.
San Diego is about 150 miles from Slab City. Easily do-able for a long day trip or a good over-night.
Nina
I love it already! I wouldn’t have liked it in my 20′s, but it sounds like my kinda place now. Would you say it’s gentrified, uptown hippy, or authentic hippy?
Roxanne
The Good Luck Duck
Oh this is definitely the original, authentic stuff. You’ll find quite a few old beat-up RV’s around the city too (many hang out by Dog Beach during the day and stealth-dock in the street at night).
Nina
That’s California alright, too many palm tress
and all the different kinds of people you described. I love the dog and beach in Dog Beach pic.
That’s my fav pic too
Nina
We were wondering if we might have passed you both on the street. We were in OB this past Wed and Terry could no longer resist Hodad’s so we lunched there. We popped into The Black afterwards and Terry had to drag me out of there, laughing all the way, after I found the greeting card section. Some really outrageous stuff in this shop! Great post Nina!
We were there on Tues so just missed ya by a day. SO GLAD you guys got down to OB. Isn’t it just the most interesting place?
Nina
I hadn’t been there in years and this was Terry’s first visit. It reminds me a little of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco.
Yeah, it kinda reminds me of the original Haight-Ashbury rather than the more commercial version we have today. Totally has that feel.
Nina
The best fish tacos in San Diego are in OB at South Beach Bar and Grill at the foot of Newport Ave. Fresh grilled fish or shrimp or lobster…absolutely delicious!
Ooooooo….I LOVE Fish Tacos. We are partial to the taco’s at Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill in Mission Hills, but I am ALWAYS up for trying somewhere different. Will have to add this to our list.
Nina
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Hi again.
I put a link of this post on mine. I also coined a phrase from here. I hope you don’t mind. Travel safe and have fun!
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