Pacific Villas & Bungalows: A Beachfront Vacation Rental in Oceanside, CA

Last Updated on June 11, 2021

Disclosure: Our writers only recommend vacation rentals they’ve experienced firsthand, and all opinions expressed are their own. This post may contain affiliate links that allow us to earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Longing to leave the desert in Palm Springs for a road trip, my focus was primarily on seeing the Pacific Ocean. With an old fashioned map lying on the floor, my friend and I started comparing notes. We eliminated beaches we’d already been to and sought out a brand new place to explore.

Oceanside is located just 38 miles from San Diego and 82 miles from Los Angeles making it an excellent place for a getaway from busy city life. The thought of breathing  in fresh ocean air and exploring this beach town exploding with public art around every corner was very appealing to us. Additionally, it was only a two-hour-plus drive from Palm Springs. The decision was made; so, here we come, Oceanside.

Road Tripping to Oceanside

After a search of possible rentals, it became apparent that Pacific Villas and Bungalows would suit our needs. A one-bedroom condo perched on a hillside overlooking the ocean would be the perfect fit for our Pacific Ocean journey.

We made our reservation, and Lauren, the owner, along with her brother Tom, asked us to meet her at her office in downtown Oceanside. After an easy drive, coming in the backway from Palm Springs, we quickly found the office and out bounced Lauren with her vibrant smile.

Heading to our Vacation Rental in Oceanside

With keys in hand, we followed Lauren in her car to our condo. The property built in the 1940s is located on the famous “Oceanside Strand.” Oh the beautiful beachfront homes we passed traveling down the one-way street. Parking is a scarce commodity in this beach town, so we were pleased to not only have parking, but as a bonus, entirely off-street parking. 

As we headed up the stairs, Lauren said that in her opinion, the condo we were staying in was the best of their properties not only because of the stunning ocean view, but its location away from the pedestrians and traffic which keeps Oceanside Strand a bustling, vibrant place.

Our condo was located on the left side of the building facing the beach. Immediately we thought of how it would be an excellent gather place for friends or having dinner outdoors.

Oceanfront in Oceanside

We broke into smiles as we entered the one-bedroom, one-bath property located on the third floor of the 6-unit vacation rental complex.

The living room area with a beautiful white stone fireplace and hardwood floors was charming. The casual lovely décor, all selected by Lauren, was a perfect match to its oceanfront setting . It felt as though we were walking into someone’s very welcoming home.

There was a cheer when we saw the kitchen had a bountiful supply of coffee in the cupboard as my friend and I are both coffee lovers. The kitchen was fully equipped to meet any culinary need including preparing seafood that can be purchased at one of the local fish markets. It would be fun to prepare any meal here while watching the Pacific Ocean sunset.

The Accommodations at Pacific Villas

The casually-appointed bedroom with hardwood floors (perfect for sandy toes) includes a balcony with outstanding views. The bathroom is conveniently located directly across from the bedroom.

A comfortable pull-out sofa in the living room served its function well for a great night’s sleep, with ocean waves lapping outside.

Sporting two comfortable chairs and a high-top table, the balcony was the perfect perch to watch the clouds dancing over the ocean. More than once, we called the other person outdoors to see stunning ever-changing views before us. The deck was the perfect place to have conversations over cocktails, and there’s even a grill for outdoor cooking.

This was the absolute perfect place to relax. Frankly, we liked it so much that we decided to stay in the day we checked in. We figured we had the following day to explore Oceanside.

Renting from Owners Preserving Oceanside

While in Oceanside, we had a chance to tour The Brick Hotel, Lauren and Tom’s new property that will be available for rent at the end of the summer. The 1888 historic building is being restored under the watchful eye of Lauren’s brother, Tom. The plans and progress easily convinced us we want to stay here in the future, for the three story property is located in the heart of downtown Oceanside.

What to do in Oceanside

There is much to do here in Oceanside. Everywhere you turn, there is public art, with an obvious awaking of this once quiet beach community. People like Lauren and Tom grew up in Oceanside. Now they are honoring their heritage while carefully working with others in the community to preserve its charm and history by restoring its buildings and structures, and making them available to visitors.

Lauren’s excellent two-sheet suggestions of what to see and do in the area were thorough and detailed, providing all kinds of community links.  

Overall, this was such an amazing experience from the minute we made our reservation to our communications throughout the stay and our departure. All we can say is that we we can’t wait to go back.

Rent at Pacific Villas in Oceanside

Check out some of the most popular things to do in Oceanside below.

Check out our other favorite beachfront vacation rentals.

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