The beach area south of the Oceanside Pier is Oceanside's most popular beach. If you don't mind crowds, you will be comfortable here. Surfing, body-boarding, and body-surfing contests are held at the Oceanside Pier throughout the summer. There are also various events that are held in the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. The pier itself is a beautiful walk and a popular fishing spot. Due to the beachgoers in this area, there are 2 lifeguard towers (towers 1 & 3) relatively close together. Lifeguard Tower 1 sits directly south of the pier and Tower 3 sits approximately 300 feet south of Tower 1. During the summer months, the area from Tower 1 south is closed to surfing most of the day. The area will be marked with a black ball as well as swim-surf signs and black-and-white checkered flags that indicate the boundaries. The surfing area is from Lifeguard Tower to 100 feet from the pier and is closed to all other water activities. No water activity is allowed within 100 feet of the pier.

Facilities: covered picnic tables, benches, barbeques, fire rings and vending machines. Close to downtown shops and eateries.

Parking: There is pay parking lots located north and south of the pier.