General
To find a unique balance of economic development, within a neighborhood setting and through special events, to contribute to the health, welfare, and pride of our coastal community!
OB History
Billy Carlson and Frank Higgins laid out streets in 1887 and sold lots at a big mussel roast on the beach. They named the new town "Ocean Beach." (Carlson went on to become mayor of San Diego and later an inmate of a federal prison on charges of land fraud.) During the real estate bust of the 1890s, many buyers lost their lots and development stagnated except for a few houses used for vacation getaways. One of those who hung in there was David Collier who began promoting Ocean Beach and Point Loma in the first decade of the 1900s, He brought in electricity, some paved streets, and a street car line.
Collier (who was president of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition) and other developers touted Ocean Beach as a resort town, and in 1913 a magnificent (for its time) amusement park, Wonderland, was constructed at Abbott and Voltaire, on the sand. Unfortunately, it washed away in a few years and the center of activity shifted to Newport Avenue, where dance halls, a skating rink, a merry-go-round, and eventually a saltwater plunge took up the slack. During the 1920s, tourists continued to come, and home construction increased, making the beach town a hometown as well. OB already had an elementary school (since 1910) and a storefront library. In 1928 a new library was built across the street from the school, and the old Ocean Theatre near Benbough's Dance Hall was abandoned in favor of the new Strand Theatre in 1924 (it showed talkies!). John Mills, Jesse Shreves, and Alexander Pantages began an ambitious development of Sunset Cliffs, Lots sold briskly, but the 1929 Wall Street crash ended Mills' dream and launched Ocean Beach, along with the rest of the country, into the Great Depression.
Construction slowed but did not stop during the 1930s. Residents survived with the help of OB merchants (such as Guido Faber) who extended credit for groceries and other necessities.The beach town continued to be a pleasant place to live, and by the end of the decade, government programs and the threat of war had eased the economic situation.
Looking West on Newport Ave, 1943
In the 1940s, Ocean Beach was caught up in the efforts to end World War II. Street lights were painted black on the side facing the sea, and soldiers in bunkers were positioned at strategic points. Kids collected scrap metal, and the OB Woman's Club provided snacks and entertainment to visiting servicemen, many of whom decided to make Ocean Beach their home after the war.
Population exploded in the 1950s as the brush-covered hills gave way to new housing. Mission Bay was dredged and developed by the city, and the ensuing re-routing of streets along with the construction of I-5 cut Ocean Beach off from much of the tourist trade that the beach towns to the north enjoyed. This was just fine with OB residents who liked their hometown atmosphere.
The relative inaccessibility of Ocean Beach attracted the "hippie" element of the 1960s. Their free-wheeling lifestyle, drug use, and radical political stance put them at odds with the "old timers. There were protest meetings, marches, picketing, and angry exchanges.During this decade, the fishing pier was constructed. As the hippiedom of the 1960s declined into the "new age" of the 1970s, a general mellowing and tolerance of differences emerged, The hippies of the previous decade became the entrepreneurs of the seventies. Food co-ops, free schools, a community school, and new homespun businesses came into being.
Civic organizations such as the Town Council, the Merchants' Association, and the Planning Board nurtured the friendly, casual ambience of Ocean Beach in the 1980s. Old traditions were revived and new ones begun: the Street Parade, Fourth of July Fireworks, and the Christmas Tree Parade, to name only a few. OBceans carved their feelings about their town via the Newport Avenue tile project. At the same time, local merchants found it increasingly difficult to compete with nearby chain stores. Antique stores began popping up in storefronts formerly occupied by variety, clothing, and department stores.
In the 1990's, Ocean Beach continued the struggle to attract businesses that matched its village character. Sometimes it worked: the Newport Hotel was refurbished into an international youth hostel. Sometimes it didn't: the Strand Theatre had been unlit for over 3 years. The general feeling, though, was that the OB attitude that prevented the sewer outfall at Dog Beach and blocked increased housing density would prevail.
In the early 2000's, Ocean Beach celebrated its 10th year as an award-winning Farmer's Market along Newport Avenue. The Farmer's Market continues to provide a weekly "get-together" for locals to keep in touch, listen to local music and buy regionally grown produce.
For nearly 7 years, the business district has had few vacancies and business is brisk especially when the weather is good. 2003 and 2004 have seen many improvements and most notably those on the corners. Check out Bravos Mexican Bistro on the corner of Newport Ave. and Bacon Street for example. The Ocean Beach Hotel (formerly the Ocean Beach Motel), at the foot of Newport Avenue, has upgraded the look of the their building and grounds. The rooms have been refurbished and open onto a lovely tuscan garden with a view of the ocean. Cottage Antiques, on the corner of Newport Avenue and Cable Streets, transformed that corner with a terrific facade improvement.
Special events have been extremely successful and exemplify the local pride in Ocean Beach. Change comes to Ocean Beach but Ocean Beach changes in its own unique way.
Comments
Oct 29 2009 10:02 PM
Sep 20 2009 1:02 AM
Check out my page
http://www.doulike.us/photos/5157997.html?b=4&w=46
Let me know if you like me YES or NO
http://www.doulike.us/photos/5157997.html?b=4&w=46
Sep 8 2009 8:11 PM
How are you?! Are you making it out for the Wagon Wheel Festival? I am performing on Sat the 19th at 11am - Main Stage! WooHoo!
Aug 22 2009 2:00 AM
Peace and Bless
Jul 28 2009 5:58 AM
Rock on Ocean Beach!
Click on the photo to see more from the show.
--
Steve
http://RockMusicPhotos.com
Jul 23 2009 1:21 PM
It is so nice to meet you!!! Thanks for the friendship. I love to meet new people and make new friends!
I maintain my own page so drop by anytime to say hi. Sometimes it takes me a couple of days to answer, but I do the best I can! I love my friends and I would love to hear from you!!!
Are you going to make it out for Wagon Wheel Fest in Sept at Lake Elsinore CA? Hope so! It is going to be a blast! I will be performing on main stage on Sept 19th. You can click the poster on my page to get more info on it.
If you have not already, make sure to join my blog. I post any updates there so you will hear right away of anything “big” going on or new shows coming your way! I’m using this as my mailing list right now.
I am glad that you are my new friend and I look forward to talking to you more later! Hope to meet you in person one day at one of my meet and greets! Please stay in touch ok!!!!!!
Your new friend
Karista
..
Jul 1 2009 3:11 PM
Jun 22 2009 11:21 PM
Thanks for Add - love to get back and play an OB Farmers Market soon ... let's make it happen. We're at Winston's in July. OB Fever!
xxxooo,
The Bigfellas
Jun 13 2009 3:19 PM
Jun 12 2009 2:13 PM
Jun 1 2009 5:51 AM
May 31 2009 1:50 AM
Save the Date
Saturday, Jun 6,2009!!
Everyone is invited!
Alpine Fun Novelty Dog Show Website
May 25 2009 7:20 PM
This comment was sent by your friend via the Cheers!! app. To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.

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Hey Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, I am sending you a Flaming Lamborghini.
Send me a drink back!
May 25 2009 4:48 PM
Thank you so much for introducing me to your circle of friends.
Thank you for doing so much for the OB community. The Wednesday Farmers Market is one of my favorite places to photograph, because it captures the essence of the joy and spirit of our little corner of the Southern California experience. I can't thank you enough for seeking me out to share such joyous treasures, except to add bravo!!!
Wishing you happiness and tranquility in all things.
Here's a peaceful scene which I photographed myself, not far from where I live, to add to your local OB greenery, as a souvenir upon which to reflect, and for good luck.
With much love,
Joel
May 23 2009 2:38 PM
Greetings from the Graveyard
Check us out at
therocketqueen.com
XOXO...............Adriana Smith
May 18 2009 5:17 AM
May 6 2009 3:29 PM
xxx
Apr 22 2009 3:52 PM
Apr 20 2009 5:33 PM
You liked this didn't you?
There is more on our other pages,
(the first pages on this page)
feel free to request if you haven't yet
and leave some heat if you like.
Let us know what you think if you want to.
Keep doing what you do and
stay yourself,
but you know this allready.
Bugz B,J.Blaze and Kane D Goreson,
from Winners n sinners.
We are all winners and sinners,
the balance is now,
The key is gratitude.
No fear,no keeps.
Have a great week.
OnePeace!
Apr 18 2009 9:03 PM
Apr 14 2009 1:09 AM
Apr 13 2009 3:02 AM
Ocean Beach California
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Apr 11 2009 6:10 AM
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Apr 9 2009 12:10 AM
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