1. Inn At Sunset Cliffs
City: Ocean Beach, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (619) 222-7901, (866) 786-2543
Address: 1370 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard
Description: If you love the sound of crashing waves, you’ll be thrilled with this refurbished small hotel in Ocean Beach. A few suites sit right beside the ocean; even those farthest from the water are close enough for guests to smell the salty sea. All rooms have coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and high-speed Internet access; some suites have one or two bedrooms and full kitchens. The heated pool is a plus (it gets chilly by the ocean). Nearby beaches are favored by surfers and experienced swimmers. Ocean Beach’s main beaches and pier are about a 10-minute walk away. There’s no restaurant, but small markets and take-out delis are located within a couple of blocks, and Ocean Beach has a wide range of restaurants.
2. Elsbree House
City: Ocean Beach, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (619) 226-4133, (800) 607-4133
Address: 5054 Narragansett Avenue
Description: If you’re craving a vacation at the beach but still want the homey atmosphere of a bed-and-breakfast inn, Elsbree House is the solution. This Cape Cod house is just 500 feet from the Ocean Beach (OB) Pier and public beach and only 2 blocks from the OB business district, with its restaurants and antiques shops. Innkeepers (and hosts extraordinaire) Katie and Phil Elsbree have created a modern escape to paradise. The five rooms are decorated in country English style. An additional suite is available as well. Each has a private entrance and a balcony or patio all to itself, where you can relax with a book or write your own great American novel. In the morning enjoy a self-serve continental breakfast of homemade bread and muffins, granola, cereal, fruit, and yogurt in the dining room. At sunset stroll along Sunset Cliffs for a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The Elsbrees also rent out a three-bedroom condo right by the beach. It can be separated into smaller units. The condo has a full kitchen, big porch, and washer and dryer. Children are welcome, but not pets. Smoking is not allowed, and none of the rooms are wheelchair accessible.
3. Shades
City: Ocean Beach, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (619) 222-0501
Address: 5083 Santa Monica Avenue
Description: The view of the Ocean Beach Pier from this restaurant’s huge windows is enough of a reason to dine here. But the food is even better than the scenery. Huge bowls of homemade granola with fresh fruit, portobello mushroom omelettes, and chocolate chip pancakes are just some of the reasons to come by for breakfast. Piles of crisp fish and chips and the Ensalada OB, with chicken breast and Mexican cotija cheese, are top lunch choices, and the lobster and shrimp tortellini is a must-try at dinner. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.