The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Oceanside Beach Wedding

With its wide beaches, hip coastal downtown, and iconic pier, Oceanside, California offers an idyllic setting for a beach wedding. Whether you're dreaming of a grand celebration or a more intimate affair, this guide will help you plan a memorable event on Oceanside’s stunning shores.

Best locations in Oceanside for your beach wedding

Oceanside offers several idyllic locations for beach weddings.

Beach weddings at The Harbor in Oceanside

The Harbor is one of the most popular beaches for families and surfers. It has far less pedestrian traffic than other beaches and is located about a mile north of downtown. It features ample sand, convenient parking, and easy access for vendors, making it a top choice for a smooth event experience. However, bathrooms are a five minute walk across the sand.

Beach weddings at Oceanside Pier

The Oceanside Pier is a gorgeous historical centerpiece of the city, but in the spring of 2024, it suffered a fire that destroyed the structure that once occupied the end. The charred remains have yet to be removed as of September 2024. Nevertheless, they’re at the far end of the pier, meaning they’re unlikely to be visible in your wedding photos.

The beach near the pier is somewhat narrow at high tide, so make sure to check the tide schedule when you pick your date

The city recently renovated its public restrooms near the pier and they’re in slightly better condition than other beaches.

Beach weddings at Breakwater Bay

Another excellent option is Breakwater Bay, located just north of the pier, which offers a similarly accessible but slightly more secluded atmosphere. It does have public restrooms with washing facilities.

Beach weddings at The Strand Gazebo

If you’re looking for a venue that combines beachside beauty with a slightly more sheltered feel, consider The Strand Gazebo at Pacific Street Linear Park, a pocket park just steps from the sand. The white lattice gazebo, partially shaded and overlooking the historic Oceanside Pier, provides a stunning backdrop for exchanging vows. The city offers permits year round, making it a good option for weddings during the summer. It has public restrooms with washing facilities about a block away.

Beach weddings at Tyson Street Park

If you want the beach vibe without all the sand, try Tyson Street Park. Located just a few steps from the Strand, this large, flat grassy area can accommodate both your ceremony and reception. With its proximity to the beach, it offers the best of both worlds—lush surroundings and ocean views. It does have public restrooms with washing facilities.

The best time of year for your Oceanside beach wedding

The best time to visit the beaches in Oceanside is between July and October, when average daily highs are 77F and the water is warm. By the end of August, most of the tourists have left for the start of the school year. That makes it the perfect time of year for an Oceanside beach wedding, especially if you don’t require a permit (see below). It’s also one of the driest seasons in Oceanside, with an average of 2 days or fewer of rainfall between July and September.

However, if your wedding requires a permit, only the Strand Gazebo at Pacific Street Linear Park is available during the summer months.

While Oceanside begins attracting tourists as early as spring break, the spring weather justifiably earns the names “May gray” and “June gloom” for their cloud cover and fog. Spring is also the wettest time of year, with more than a quarter of days between March and May seeing rainfall.

The best time of day for an Oceanside beach wedding

One of the most important factors for planning your Oceanside beach wedding is ensuring that there actually is a beach! When the tide is high, more than 3 feet, the width of the beach diminishes greatly at the pier and Breakwater Bay. You can check the tide schedule as far ahead of time as you like to plan your event for a time when there's a wide swath of sand.

In the late summer, tropical storms in the South Pacific sometimes bring in slightly larger waves and stronger winds, which pick up by midday and normally calm by early evening. For the best lighting and the lightest winds, plan your beach ceremony for before 11 a.m. or for the last few hours before sunset. The app Surfline is a great resource for checking the local conditions, including the tide, winds, sunset, and last light. It also has multiple live cameras at Oceanside Pier and Oceanside Harbor.

Do I need a permit for my Oceanside beach wedding?

Planning a beach wedding involves more than picking the perfect spot; you’ll also need to secure the necessary permits from the city. These are required for any event with more than 25 guests, ceremonies that are longer than 30 minutes, or if you plan to have any setup like chairs, decorations, or amplified music. It’s important to note that the city does not issue beach wedding permits between May 15 and September 15 due to the peak season for beachgoers. If your wedding falls within this period, the Strand Gazebo, which is available year-round, might be your best option.

You can submit a permit application to the City of Oceanside, at City Hall East, at least 60 days in advance of your event, but not more than a year ahead of it along with a $150 processing fee, as of 2024.

Walk-up weddings: for the spontaneous Oceanside Pier wedding

For couples who prefer a simpler celebration, Oceanside’s beaches allow for walk-up weddings. If your ceremony is small—fewer than 25 guests—and brief, lasting 30 minutes or less, you can exchange vows without a permit. This option is ideal for those who want a spontaneous, heartfelt ceremony with the ocean and only their closest friends and family as their witness.

Oceanside beach parking for events

While Oceanside’s beaches are a dreamy location, there are a few practical details to consider. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s wise to inform your guests early and encourage carpooling or ride-sharing. Unfortunately, reserving parking is not an option, so planning ahead is essential to ensure everyone arrives on time. The city provides this Oceanside parking guide.

Making your dream a reality with an Oceanside beach wedding

An Oceanside beach wedding is more than just a picturesque event; it’s a celebration of love in a setting that’s as timeless as the ocean itself. Whether you choose the wide sands of Harbor Beach, the quaint charm of the Strand Gazebo, or the lush expanse of Tyson Street Park, your wedding day will be filled with the natural beauty that only Oceanside, CA, can offer. With careful planning and the assistance of the City’s Special Events department, your Oceanside beach wedding will be an unforgettable occasion for you and your guests.