Oceanside CA – Each summer, families flock to Oceanside, San Diego’s North Shore, for the sun, sand and surf. But, there’s always more to discover like trains, cheetahs and movies at the beach! Here’s a look at what’s new and exciting for families this season.
Independence Day Celebration Parade and Fireworks: Oceanside will celebrate Independence Day with family-friendly city parade along Coast Highway featuring marching bands, equestrian units, floats and cool cars on June 28 at 10 a.m. On Thursday, July 3, families can enjoy a spectacular evening fireworks display along with performances from local high school bands and dining options from local food trucks. The fireworks will be shot off just north of the El Corazon Senior Center with the optimal viewing area on Rancho Del Oro Road between Mesa Drive and Seagate Way. Spectators are encouraged to arrive any time after 6 p.m., park in nearby lots, bring a beach chair and walk to the viewing area. www.ci.oceanside.ca.us
New Model Train Museum: Train enthusiasts of all ages are invited to visit the new Model Train Museum at Oceanside’s Heritage Park. The North County Model Railroad Society 
(NCMRS) has partnered with the City of Oceanside to provide the public with a place to view and operate a unique model train exhibit. While the main exhibit is still under construction, families can visit Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to view and operate the “trains for kids” model. In addition to the model train museum at Heritage Park, families can take a trip back in time and discover the original buildings of downtown Oceanside including the first General Store, Blacksmith Shop & Livery Stable, the Portola Inn, city jail, the Libby School and The Blade Newspaper. For more information on the train museum, visit www.ncmrs.org. For information on Heritage Park, visit www.oceansideheritagepark.org.
Movies at the Beach: Families can hit the beach all day, then stay to catch a flick at Oceanside’s outdoor beach amphitheater. Monthly movie showings are complimentary and begin at dusk. The current movie line-up includes the legendary surf documentary Step into Liquid on July 12, The Lego Movie on August 30, and The Goonies, an 80s classic, on October 11.
Wild Wonders: Another unique family attraction near Oceanside is Wild Wonders, where kids and adults can “tame” their curiosity for wildlife. Located in the neighboring city of Bonsall, Wild Wonders offers live tours, interactive programs and over 150 animal ambassadors including cheetahs, monkeys, wallabies, snakes, spiders and more. Tours take place at the conservation facility and include unique and educational animal interactions and encounters not available at your typical zoo. Reservations must be made prior to visiting the park. For more information, visit www.wildwonders.org.
New Waterpark at LEGOLAND: Located in the neighboring city of Carlsbad, LEGOLAND California is just a short 10 minute drive away and always popular with families. This summer,
the park has launched its exciting new LEGO® Legends of CHIMA™ Water Park. It features a Lion Temple Wave Pool, crocodile swamp, interactive Build-a-Boat and more. The LEGOLAND SEA LIFE® Aquarium also has a new Jellyfish Discovery exhibit that opened in spring. www.legoland.com
About Oceanside
Celebrating its 125th year, Oceanside is located along the beautiful Southern California coastline and considered the gateway city between metropolitan San Diego and Los Angeles. A classic Southern California beach town, Oceanside enjoys a rich history as an ideal place to stay and experience California’s casual spirit. The city boasts a number of important historical and cultural attractions such as Mission San Luis Rey (The King of Missions), California’s longest wooden pier, vintage 101 Café, 1920’s era Robert’s Cottages, Top Gun House, California Surf Museum and the Oceanside Museum of Art. The city has served as a film location for dozens of Hollywood productions and was once the preferred getaway of many of Hollywood’s elite. Bordering Camp Pendleton, Oceanside has long enjoyed a strong relationship with the U.S. military and a deep commitment to the men and women serving the nation. Today, with 3.5 miles of sandy beach, a quaint New England-style harbor and a stellar year-round climate, Oceanside is a highly sought after location for enjoying active pursuits including surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, boating, fishing, bike-riding, skydiving and more.
About Visit Oceanside
Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism marketing organization in Oceanside, Calif; promoting travel to the city for both leisure and group visitors. The organization influences more than $60 million in visitor spending in Oceanside each year, which supports nearly 700 tourism-related jobs. Visit Oceanside also operates one of the state’s official California Welcome Centers. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major Southern California attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB and California Welcome Center- Oceanside are conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway. For more information, please call (800)350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org.