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Another Labor Day weekend, another soccer tournament for my husband in Oceanside, California. But this time, while he was on the field, I decided to tackle downtown Oceanside with my two favorite travel companions: my fur babies! A good friend joined our crew, and together, we sniffed out all the best dog-friendly spots this awesome beach town has to offer.

Here's our list of must-visit places for a fun-filled weekend with your pups.

1. The Top Gun House (HIGH-pie)

250 N Pacific Street | @highpie.f10

You can't go to Oceanside without visiting this iconic spot. The Top Gun House is a historic Victorian-style home that was featured in the iconic Top Gun film as Charlie’s (Tom Cruise’s love interest in the movie) beachfront home.

Top Gun House Exterior in Oceanside — Top Gun House Entrance

This historical bungalow-style cottage has been beautifully restored and transformed into an adorable dessert shop. They serve up their famous HIGH-pie hand pies and housemate mascarpone ice cream. You can even grab some fun Top Gun souvenirs. It's the perfect spot for a sweet treat and stunning views of the ocean and pier.

2. The Ozone

102 Mission Avenue | @theozoneshop

Right next door to the Top Gun House inside the Mission Pacific Hotel is The Ozone, a fantastic boutique with a focus on local collaborations. The space is so bright and colorful, and the best part? The pups got treated to some yummy treats. It’s a great place to pop in and shop while the dogs get a little love.

3. Artist Alley

212 Artist Alley | @artistalleyoceanside

We stumbled upon a real gem in a quaint alley that was hosting a Mystic Soul Spiritual Faire. The Alley Market is a vibrant hub for local artists, and we had a great time exploring handmade crafts from jewelry to mystical creations.

Artist Alley vendors in Oceanside — Artist Alley vendors

Arist Alley Mural in Oceanside — Arist Alley Mural

We happily hopped into charming shops and made stops at a couple of lively booths, where everyone we met was incredibly chatty and genuinely friendly. With a talented live DJ setting the mood, vibrant murals decorating the walls, and an all-around chill community vibe in the air, it was the perfect spot to soak up some summer fun.

Mystic Soul Spiritual Faire Oceanside — Mystic Soul Spiritual Faire

Mystic Soul Ritual Shop Oceanside — Mystic Soul Ritual Shop

4. Cococabana

408 Pier View Way | @cococabanaoside

For lunch, we headed to Cococabana, a gorgeous rooftop bar/restaurant on top of the historic Brick Hotel. This Caribbean-style spot offers incredible views of downtown Oceanside, and we were immediately charmed by the friendly service and colorful mocktails.

I’m a huge fan of Jane Fonda and decided to try the Jane Fonda’s Workout mocktail, which was beautifully crafted with refreshing watermelon, zesty lime, and a hint of fresh mint. The pups were thirsty as well, so the staff made sure to give them a refreshing bowl of water to keep them hydrated.

Exterior of the The Brick Hotel — The Brick Hotel

Since it’s more of a bar style than a full restaurant, the menu is understandably limited, but don’t worry—it definitely offers more than just typical bar food. We both decided to try the surf and turf tacos, which turned out to be quite a generous and satisfying meal.

We’re so used to the mini, bite-sized tacos, but these entrees were the complete opposite—large, colorful, and filling, exceeding our expectations. It’s a sophisticated, relaxing spot where you can truly enjoy a great meal while taking in a fantastic view.

Dining at Cococabana Oceanside — Gorgeous interior decor

5. Oceanside Civic Center

300 N Coast Hwy | @cityoceanside

I can’t believe I’ve visited Oceanside multiple times over the years and never taken the time to explore the Civic Center area before. Although I didn’t actually go inside the Civic Center building, I spent some time walking around and appreciating the architecture and the surrounding exterior spaces.

You don't have to be an architecture enthusiast to appreciate this stunning area. We loved strolling past the splashing fountains and admiring the grand, golden sculpture by Charles Moore. It’s a surprisingly beautiful and peaceful part of downtown.

Oceanside Civic Center Sculpture — Oceanside Civic Center

6. The Rooftop Bar

201 N Myers Street | @rooftopbaroside

If you’re looking for a truly breathtaking view, The Rooftop Bar at the Mission Pacific Hotel is an absolute must-see. It’s the best spot in town to catch a stunning sunset that you won’t forget. The atmosphere is lively and fun, creating a perfect vibe to unwind, and the service is always super friendly and welcoming.

Rooftop Bar Oceanside Tables — The Rooftop Bar Outdoor Seating

It’s definitely a popular destination, especially during weekends and the warmer months, so making reservations ahead of time is highly recommended. We didn’t have any reservations ourselves, which meant there weren’t any tables available, but we were lucky enough to snag a cozy spot right at the bar.

Their mocktails were refreshing and beautifully crafted and the pups got so much love and attention while we enjoyed our drinks and the amazing view.

Enjoying mocktails at the rooftop bar — Enjoying our Mocktails

The Rooftop Bar in Oceanside — The Rooftop Bar

Where to Stay

Here are some wonderful dog-friendly accommodations in Oceanside to consider. We had the pleasure of staying at the first two on this list, and both are conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Oceanside, making it easy to explore the local shops, restaurants, and beautiful waterfront with your furry friend.

Mission Pacific Beach Resort: Gorgeous ocean views and the rooms have a cozy California beach vibe with a mix of bohemian chic

SpringHill Suites Marriott: Conveniently located a block from the beach with a rooftop pool and complimentary breakfast buffet.

The Pacific Bungalow: This charming bungalow is part of the Brick Hotel and offers a cozy, pet-friendly Oceanside retreat.

There’s Even More to Oceanside!

Sunset Market: Every Thursday night, Oceanside's Sunset Market brings together local farmers, artists, and chefs from around the world, offering live entertainment and a wide variety of gourmet food. And yes, dogs are absolutely welcome to join you.

Beach House Winery: A family owned winery with a friendly laid back vibe with panoramic views of San Diego County. Believe it or not, they actually welcome dogs too.

Tremont Collective: This neighborhood is part of Oceanside's beachside community and includes various shops, restaurants, and cafes in a residential area, making it a lively part of the city. Dogs are definitely welcome here, and we noticed quite a few happily roaming around during our visit.

The Strand: A fun way to enjoy the ocean views with your pups is by renting a bike and riding it along the coast. Dogs are prohibited on the beach, so this is a great alternative.

Final Thoughts

What I love most about Oceanside is that it's not overwhelmingly crowded with tourists, which makes it feel much more relaxed. It has this wonderfully chill beach town vibe that instantly puts you at ease.

While I usually stick to the charming downtown area when I’m out and about with my pups, if you want to soak up the sun and enjoy some beach time, you can easily do that too since the beach is literally right in the heart of the downtown area. It’s truly a perfect, low-key escape where you can unwind without the usual hustle and bustle.