We are so excited to share with you the “12 Days of Christmas” including giveaways and rewards for “buying local” with the California Welcome Center of Oceanside! Whether you are visiting Oceanside or live here stop by the welcome center (located at 928 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054) anytime between now and December 18th to enter to win.
While at the welcome center check out the local gift section, there are tons of cute and unique gifts from local merchants, also all purchases will receive a 12% discount! The items included are a limited edition custom T-shirt by Surf Ride that features the Oceanside Pier and celebrates Surf Ride’s 40th anniversary, beach-inspired, custom jewelry by Oh Yeah and Coola’s Hang Ten brand of natural sunscreen. Don’t miss Surf Ride’s annual black friday sale for HUGE savings on all the surf brands you love!
I have lived in Oceanside for ten years and this week was my very first time visiting the California Welcome Center Oceanside. I am happy I took the time to stop by to see all they have to offer. Tons and tons of local attraction information, maps, guides, visitor to do list and so much more! The welcome center is also a convenient spot to purchase discount tickets, coupons and maps to area attractions. The Oceanside Welcome Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the help of the wonderful volunteers.
Don’t forget to enter to win one of 12 gift certificates for your favorite local restaurants and attractions while at the Oceanside Welcome Center!
Upcoming Holiday Events in Oceanside
Thursday, December 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Oceanside will kick off the holiday season with a grand Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Regal Center Plaza at 401 Mission Ave. in downtown Oceanside. This family-friendly event will be filled with activities for the whole family. Children can visit with Santa Claus, create a craft, enjoy the zip-line, tree climb, bounce houses, and games or take a ride to the pier in the horse-drawn carriage. After the tree lighting ceremony, visitors can head over to the Sunset Market for all their holiday gift needs, plus music, and a children’s activity area.
Friday, December 5 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 4th Annual Christmas Concert at Mission San Luis Rey – The historic church at Mission San Luis Rey is a majestic, spiritual setting for listening to traditional Christmas carols. Holiday carols are performed by Premier Brass and singers from the San Diego Opera Chorus. The concert will be followed by a delicious dessert reception in the Sacred Garden surrounded by thousands of holiday lights. Tickets range in price from $40 to $60 per person and proceeds benefit preservation and maintenance of the church. Register online by clicking here or call (760)757-3651, ext. 161. The mission is located at 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside
Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Coaster Holiday Express – Families can take a ride on a magical holiday train with Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends on Saturday, December 6. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train ride that features photo opportunities with Santa and classic carol singing for children of all ages. Each 65-minute Holiday COASTER Express ride travels non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.
Last year we had so much fun taking our son on the Coaster Holiday Express! It is only $8 per person this year with departure times of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. from the Oceanside transit center. Please note tickets are not available day of and it will SELL OUT AND FAST! Tickets may be purchased beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12th in person at a transit center or online here.
Saturday, December 13th from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Parade of Lights at Oceanside Harbor is a fun tradition that residents and visitors look forward to all year. On Saturday, December 13 from 7-9 p.m., fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dinghies will dress up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers. Many of the boats feature people dressed up like Santa waving to the crowd.
Each Thursday in December from 5-9 p.m., Oceanside’s weekly Sunset Market is transformed into a Holiday Gift Market with hundreds of unusual and exotic gift ideas from around the world. The Certified Farmers Market section features farm fresh produce and floral items plus a myriad of gourmet food items to take home for holiday parties. Strolling carolers add to the merriment. Kids are delighted by pony rides, face painters and a jump house. Sunset Market is located in downtown Oceanside at Pier View Way. Markets will be closed on Thaksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For information, contact MainStreet Oceanside at (760) 754-4512 or click here.
Free Trick-or-Treating
