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Ocean Beach is a community within the City of San Diego, California, USA known for its openmindedness and fierce independence. Comprised of an eclectic mix of surfers, punks, bikers, granolas, and families, few things aren't tolerated. Some things likely to upset the locals are excessive displays of wealth, posers, money hungry real estate folks, arrogance, and disrespectful transplants. Many consider Ocean Beach the last bastion for native San Diegans adamant about protecting the character of the city. It is located south of Mission Bay and Mission Beach and west of Downtown San Diego on the Pacific Ocean at the western terminus of Interstate 8.
Ocean Beach houses two schools (Ocean Beach Elementary, and Sacred Heart Academy), and multiple churches. It has one library, many antique stores, an assortment of locally owned stores and bars. The main street of business is Newport Avenue.
The Ocean Beach Pier, built in 1966, is the longest on the West Coast of the United States, measuring 1971 feet.
History
Ocean Beach was given its name by developers Billy Carlson and Frank Higgins in 1887. They opened a real estate firm Carlson & Higgins and proceeded to develop Ocean Beach. They developed the Cliff House Hotel and subdivided the area into lots. The development did not do well because it was 2 1/2 hours from downtown San Diego by carriage. They rented a locomotive, but by that time, in 1888, the boom ended and the development put on hold. Higgins' partner committed suicide and the Cliff House burned from a fallen chandelier in 1898. Carlson sold the Ocean Beach development to an Eastern financier and its development would wait another 20 years when permanent rail service arrived.
Earlier names for Ocean Beach include Mussel Beach, Mussel Beds, Medanos (Spanish for 'dunes'), Palmer's Place/Ranch, and Palmiro's. Many locals refer to Ocean Beach simply as OB.
In 2001, Starbucks bought property within the community, creating a tremendous uproar among the citizens, who considered the move a direct attack on several mom and pop, individually owned, small scale coffee shops already in place. Shortly after this event the historic, single-screen movie house The Strand was converted into a Wings, an east coast chain store selling beach apparel. To this day, patrons of either establishment are castigated by the long-time citizens of the community. Locals highly encourage the boycott of Starbucks and patronage of local non-chain coffee shops.
Ocean Beach inhabitants have a reputation for indulging in frequent drug use. The north-west beach is known as Dog Beach, which is alongside the emptying San Diego River. It has been set aside specifically for leash-free pets and their owners. Newport Avenue in downtown OB is home to numerous restaurants and shops. Ocean Beach is also the current residence of Holly Zynda, leader of the 3rd People's Union of San Diego.
External links
- Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association
- Ocean Beach History
- Ocean Beach
- City of San Diego Life Guard
- Ocean Beach: A Lifestyle Frozen in Time
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