Oceanside Visitor’s Information

A very typical visitor’s center stocked full of free travel and local community information with a few elderly enthusiastic attendants eager to offer advice and share local history, this is also free and in abundances. There are also plenty of odds and ends for purchase. The interior and exterior are both immaculate, it doesn’t seem that they get much traffic hence the relatively small parking lot. I didn’t see any coffee being offered up but that may have just been an oversight on my part. With social media and the Internet providing an overload of information I don’t see these visitor centers being economical viable for very much longer.

Every time I drove up I-​5 N past Oceanside to go see my girlfriend on the weekends, I would always pass the signs to the California Welcome Center. I vowed that I would check it out one day (especially as they are only open 9 – 5)… and as I was picking up Kathy from the Metrolink station this past Saturday, I finally decided to make a stop.
Essentially, this is an info kiosk that has plenty of free travel brochures about what to do in Oceanside and the surrounding area. Also, there’s plenty of gift shop merchandise of all types, from the usual So Cal-​themed tchotchkes to Beanie Babies. But what got my attention were the photos and memorabilia detailing the history of the city, as well as the souvenir penny machine (I love these and have a growing collection of pressed pennies). And, there are restrooms here if you need to use them; they’re clean and well maintained.
While a small location — and primarily aimed at the out-​of-​town crowd — the California Welcome Center is still worth a stop (heck, I even got a brunch idea from the place — 101 Café — courtesy of one of the complimentary postcards they had available)!
Pay no attention to the gentlemen’s club across the street…

Took my younger sister and cousin on a day trip to San Diego. We had to use a restroom and saw the California Welcome Center.
I’ve never been to one, so I decided it would be cool to check out plus there had to be bathrooms we could use.
The staff was very friendly. They were senior citizens who knew a lot about the area. They have a little gift shop and pamphlets on everything southern California. Some pamphlets had coupons to use as well. We wanted to check out one of the California Missions and one of the staff was very helpful and gave great directions.
If you ever get the chance or new to use the restroom, this is a great stop!

I live in Oceanside and I normally stop by at the California Welcome Center for the coupons of local restaurants or services (hotel, spa, whale watching, fishing, Go San Diego Card, etc.) and to check the local events. The seniors who work there (I think they’re volunteer) are really sweet and informative. The decoration is very nice and it looks very So-​Cal! I even prefer to stop here for urgent bathroom need rather than gas station!
As far as my last visit on 3÷5÷2011, they have more Oceanside and San Diego souvenirs (of course they also have California stuffs for foreign tourist or out-​of-​towner). Plus, some maps that they have for sale are even cheaper than the AAA or local gas station. I got Oceanside detailed map for $ 1.00! They also have different maps for free. I’ve been to serveral California Welcome Centers in CA, as well as local visitor center/​welcome center in other states, but I think this place makes me feel very welcome and laidback.
PS: I think the name of the welcome center is incorrect. It has to be «California Welcome Center in Oceanside».

California Welcome Center. there’s only a few & i’d never been to one before so i wanted to check it out. it’s a lil bit of info about Oceanside & California, but mostly just MILES of free literature (brochures, maps, local mags, etc)!* plus Gift Shop stuff– shirts, keychains, etc. Mostly of generic CA stuff though (like Rte 66), not particularly Oceanside. had a free computer w/​internet. photos & posters on the wall inc. a super cheesy poster of Guvuna Ahnold & his wife– LOL!
THE ONLY BAD THING: one (of the 2) older ladies who worked there greeted me with a smile but quickly became disinterested once i told her i was already a Californian. i think it would’ve made her day had i been from far away & hung on her every word! Geez– sorry– oh wait I’m not! She indirectly made fun of me for using the squished penny machine (instead of encouraging the only other visitor in there to get one she said it’s «just another thing to spend money on»). Plus she needs to do more homework to woo people about the city—
all she really told me was that Oceanside has the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. BUT she didn’t know where the 2^nd one was (Seal Beach, CA) or where the longest East Coast one was (Daytona Beach, FL). i had to find those out myself online. FAIL.
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*def. go if you need are in need of maps or vacation ideas (from all over– Nor. Cal to Mexico!)