Ocean Beach - Where the Fun Is

Ocean Beach is one of the last remaining Old California beach towns. Many male residents wear pony tails, ’60s style. Dress is extremely casual and most businesses are locally owned, which means you can find the most eclectic buys—from inexpensive handmade souvenirs to more pricey internationally purchased antiques. Dogs have their own beach (famous around the world), the Christmas parade is a funky throwback to another era and the annual Street Fair and Chili Cookoff  draws thousands.

This year, the Fair is on June 28 from 10am to 8pm on Newport Avenue, the town’s main street. Five stages of continuous music by local performers, an Artists Alley with unique handmade creations, a community mural project and children’s play area are part of the fun. So are the Beachside Beer Garden and Liquorland (for adults!), a skateboard exhibition, a climbing wall and, of course, the famous Chili Cookoff. From 10am to 3pm, you can taste recipes mild and hot, original or adapted. To cool off your tastebuds, there’ll probably be a nice ocean breeze blowing. And the sunset over the ocean deserves a toast of its own.

Come early, stay late, kick back and let the Ocean Beach atmosphere carry your worries out to sea. It’s a great way to spend the day.