Downtown Oceanside, A busy place

Over 120 year ago Oceanside began as a train town when the railroad came from the East in Colton to San Diego via Oceanside. The early train builders knew the Coastal Plain was ideal to build the rail on because of the narrows where the rivers and streams hit the coast. Yes they were saved money.

So what has gone on Downtown, well I think a lot of credit should be given to the thousands of Downtown Merchants themselves. After the train era ended in the 1920's with the advent of the automobile businesses thrived and tried hard to keep up with their owners needs and growth was impressive.

Our community had growth spurts and downturns as would be expected in the new West. Stock market crashes, a depression and World Wars slowed and accelerated our growth, but after WWII our growth seem to never stop.

Lets skip forward to today. MainStreet Oceanside (MSO) began as the Downtown Business Association in the 1990's. It was formed to help promote the Downtown and solve some of its problems. Through partnership with the City, School District and businesses the Association became a shaper of a New Downtown. Many years later the Association took their organization to a new level and applied for and became a Main Street Association. Under this moniker it has grown to become the Downtown Business connection that facilitates its programs and help operate some typical City functions to continue the improvement of Downtown. Dedicated business people and volunteers work tirelessly to keep making our Downtown the jewel next to the shore. And yes you can still visit it by train, Amtrak , Metrolink , Coaster and Sprinter

Bicycling in Oceanside California

Ever since I got my first Bike I have ridden the streets of Oceanside. Now called a beach cruiser I rode my Schwinn fat tired bike in 1958 up and down The Strand and Hill Street (Coast Highway) to explore all a nine year old could. By the time I was twelve I was cruising a non-descript ten speed. I made my first cross-county trip OK to Escondido and back alone. I was wheeling wherever I could. I rode bikes until I could drive in 1965. It wasn't until about twenty years ago that the Bike bug hit me again. I rode borrowed beach cruisers until I started going inland and up lots of hills away from the flat coastal plain. I looked into and bought a Schwinn beach cruiser with a seven speed hub. It was a perfect match, I could cruise The Strand and climb inland no sweat.
Oceanside is like many other beach communities with lots of traffic when the sun is shining. it also has some pretty cool trails
The City also a has a Dasini Blue Bike Program that loans out bike at no cost to the rider. One of Oceanside's best trails is the San Luis Rey River path a Class one trail. Of course our beach area and primarily The Strand and Harbor are great areas for the occasional rider and kids to ride.
The 101 Cafe has the Coolest Bike Rack which is a ten foot long bicycle for two ( see above ) where you can leave your bikes and enjoy all the eighty year old joint has to offer. Its sits at Coast Highway and Wisconsin Street where you can cruise directly to the Beach .
Enjoy your ride.

Looking good for the Ford Ironman Tomorrow along the beach in Oceanside

Every racers dream is cool weather on race day. Today, the day before the Ford Ironman in Oceanside it was 51 degrees at 5:30 AM and 56 degrees at 8:45 AM and that should mean good things for tomorrows race. I have some experience in marathons and know how much I dreaded hot race days. The course hugs the coast for the most part and should finish up under 67 degrees tomorrow.
It is awesome looking over the setup for an Ironman. The huge tents for changing after the swim along side the bike racks setup for thousands participants. This is quite a spectacle and if you can you should go and check it out. Look to the Ironman website for information about where to view the race best. If you want to experience a Carbo Load meal like the participants you can check out the Spaghetti at the 101 Cafe.

Oceanside History

Oceanside became a town because the extension of the Transcontinental Railroad was planned to come from the Colton, Riverside area to San Diego.

Before that time Indians once roamed through the coastal plain along the streams and rivers in search of food for thousands of years. It wasn't until Spanish explorers led the expedition up 'Alta' California from Mexico to found the Missions that created a stronghold on this new land in 1769. It marked the beginning when Europeans came to settle our area.

In the 1880's the train was planned and built to accommodate the anticipated travelers from across the country. When these travelers stopped in our community some became owners. Some speculated and others stayed, many built beach cottages. The train remained the dominant transportation link until the time of Henry Ford's Model T. Cars would change the landscape of our community and drive demand for more services and create the need for more housing.

Once drivers discovered the coast route between Los Angeles and San Diego Oceanside became an important stopping place for autoist. The car culture in California drove the need for highways and the coastal route soon became US Highway 101. The popularity of the car has changed our state from a small agricultural based economy to the sixth largest economy in the world and has created endless miles of driving adventures.

Oceanside is now a community of 180,000 and with a harbor, miles of sandy beaches and a storied past is poised to make to make history for many decades to come.

Woodies on the 101

You soon discover the surf culture in San Diego County when you spot your first Woodie. You are more likely to see a completely restored car than the ones that cruised along the old 101 Highway with surfboards hanging out the back window in the sixties. There is something about their look that takes you back to your youth and makes you long for the beach.

Maybe it is the simpler times or that you could spend more time enjoying your friends that make you reminisce of days gone by.

If you cruise the 101 and see a special bus with an image of a classic Woodie you would be checking out the 101 bus that travels between Oceanside and La Jolla.

The North County Transit District partnered with the Highway 101 Association to put two of these unique rides on the 101. Woodies might not be unique to the coast, but they just fit the picture of the California Surf Culture to a T.

Cities along the US Highway 101

Where can you find the largest number of photos or post cards of cities along the Historic US Highway 101, at the 101 Cafe's website and you will also find out about the Highway's history. The site is meant to give out as much information as possible and is updated occasionally with new photos and other historic information.
The links it has will take you to sites that speak to, preserve and promote the 101 and will lead you to a site that features El Camino Real Bells
The Cafe's website also features links to major attractions throughout Southern California.