Visiting Ocean Beach this weekend for the annual Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off? If this is your annual trip to the eclectic beach community (or if you rarely make it out here), there are many unique things to do before, during and after the Street Fair. We decided to give you a glimpse of some fun experiences available in Ocean Beach. Pier fishing The Walking on Water Cafe is located on the longest concrete structure of its kind on the West Coast, Ocean Beach Pier, and is serving up delicious and fresh snacks daily. Next to the restaurant is a fully stocked bait and tackle shop where customers can rent or buy all of their fishing needs. The pier itself is lined with benches, lights and fish-cleaning stations making it easy and simple to fish throughout the day and then watch the sun set. Retro glam styles Temptress is a rock ’n’ roll inspired clothing boutique located on Bacon Street. The small store is lined with clothes that allow customers to find and embrace their inner Hollywood-inspired glamorous looks. Temptress offers pin-up-style clothing for women and what can only be described as retro looks for men. Everything about Temptress is wild and fun from the people working there to the clothing sold. Retro cocktails
Pacific Shores opened in 1941 and is one of the oldest bars in San Diego. The bar opened the day before Pearl Harbor and has remained a landmark of Newport Avenue serving strong and cheap drinks ever since. With an under the sea theme, traditional cocktails, an authentic jukebox and an overall dimly lit room, Pacific Shores will take you back in time. Bird watch Next to Dog Beach is the San Diego River estuary where all types of birds gather to eat, mate and nest. It’s a birder’s paradise. The San Diego Audubon Society offers classes of varying skill level that allow people to enjoy and interact with the birds in the area, learn about their habitats and current conditions and also learn what they can do to help them. More information and how to register for a birdwatching class may be found at sandiegoaudubon.org. Beer tasting
– The rustic open-air design of the Culture Brewery tasting room in Ocean Beach is made to mimic the style of the flagship location in Solana Beach. This is the second satellite tasting room for the company, it opened nearly two years ago on Newport Avenue. The Culture tasting room has 18 beers on tap and hopes to tie the community into their success by displaying local artwork and talent. The tasting room offers tastings, full pours and growler fills.
– Helm’s Brewery has recently joined the collection of craft beer tasting rooms in OB on Newport Avenue. Helm’s hopes to be able to offer a large variety of beer and continue their community-first philosophy. The company has a promise to service and the tasting room staff will participate in numerous local community safety events. The tasting room has 16 beers on tap and has designed the space in line with their original nautical theme.
– The Mike Hess tasting room in Ocean Beach prides itself on serving great beer and being pet and family friendly. Each Mike Hess location is uniquely different providing a different experience and representing a different part of the brewery’s story. With more than 20 beers on tap, and a vibrant fun environment, Mike Hess on Voltaire Street is both a social scene and tasting room. Unique gifts The Black Bead on Newport Avenue is a boutique filled with a wide selection of materials for jewelry making from an array of beads down to the necessary tools to complete any crafting project. The store is fully stocked with charms, beads and pendants that can add a special touch to any piece or serve as stand-alone gifts. It is easy to get lost in the rows and rows of beautifully unique gems hidden away at The Black Bead. The staff is prepared to help customers learn the basics, solve any problem and find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift. Walk the cliffs
The cliffs south of Ocean Beach Pier are the perfect spot to walk, check out tide pools, and watch the waves splash against the rocks. There are a couple hidden beaches and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Others looking for something more calm may lay out blankets to enjoy the view and watch the sky change as the daylight fades away. Change perspectives
A different way to take in the scope of the Street Fair, Ocean Beach and the pier is from above. Walk up the hill to the intersections of Newport Avenue and Guizot Street or Niagara Avenue and Guizot Street to check out the view of OB, the pier and the ocean. Go there for sunset and get a whole new perspective on the horizon. Jump off the Pier Six years ago the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation started the Pier Jump. The event involves jumping off the side of the Ocean Beach Pier 35 feet into the ocean below. Initially the jump was only open to the children who were members of the Junior Lifeguard Foundation, but today it is open to the public. Find the Junior Lifeguard Foundation’s booth at the Street Fair and for $75 sign up to jump. The money helps the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation fund educational programs for kids. There are two jumps this year – in July and in August. More information can be found at www.sdjgfoundation.org.