5 Must-Do Things in Oceanside, California (Updated 2026)

There’s something magnetic about Oceanside. Maybe it’s the way the ocean breeze slips into every corner of the city, or how the sunsets turn everything gold. Either way, Oceanside isn’t just a stopover on the California coast, it’s a destination that deserves its own weekend (or three). Here are five things you simply can’t skip in 2026.

1. Try a Robot Massage at Aescape

Yes, Oceanside has waves, tacos, and surf shops—but it also has something unexpected: Aescape’s robot-powered massage experience. Step into a private suite, stay fully clothed, and guide yourself through a solo, judgment-free session built entirely around you.

Every movement is precise and designed to ease tension, calm your system, and help your body reset—perfect after a surf session or a coastal road trip. It’s wellness made simple, woven right into your California adventure.

2. Walk the Oceanside Pier

Stretching nearly 2,000 feet into the Pacific, the Oceanside Pier is where locals fish, visitors stroll, and everyone stops to watch the surfers below. If you time it at sunset, the whole place feels cinematic, like you’re inside a postcard.

3. Explore the California Surf Museum

Oceanside has a surf culture that runs deep, and this small but fascinating museum captures it. From vintage boards to stories of legendary surfers, it’s a great reminder that California’s surf scene is as much about history as it is about lifestyle.

4. Grab Tacos by the Harbor

Food always tastes better by the water. The harbor is lined with spots serving fresh fish tacos, shrimp plates, and cold drinks. It’s casual, salty-air dining at its best. Perfect fuel after a beach day or before heading back out for sunset.

5. Catch a Sunset from Buccaneer Beach

While Oceanside’s beaches all deliver, Buccaneer Beach is one of those smaller, quieter spots that feels almost secret. Bring a blanket, maybe a coffee or ice cream, and watch the sky flip from orange to pink to deep purple. It’s the kind of moment that lingers long after the trip ends.

Final thought? Oceanside isn’t just about what you do, it’s about how it makes you feel. Whether you’re lying back in a robot-guided massage at Aescape or leaning over the pier railing with salty hair, this coastal city knows how to reset your system in the simplest, most memorable ways.

Let us know you enjoyed this read by booking a massage and using code BLOG for $10 off your first session (30 minutes and up!). Wanna share your thoughts? We’d love to hear from you. Give us a shout at @LetsAescape on social!