Locals in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach who say their neighborhoods are increasingly jammed full of unregulated mini-hotels are right, according to the city treasurer’s annual count of short-term rentals. But other neighborhoods — downtown …
Ocean Beach News & Stories
Short-term vacation rental explosion
City code harshing on Surf Check's mellow?
Since opening the Surf Check coffee shop last year, Richard Aguirre says he has been embroiled in a permitting process that is unfairly targeting his business. The Surf Check, a blue-and-white camper trailer located on …
October 17, 2017
Momentary meatball regret at Hungry Lu’s
"I’m a vegan and I live on Bacon.” “Ocean Beach is a sunny place for shady people.” Kip Krueger’s signs are everywhere. He paints them on blocks of wood. He has plenty more. “Dissent is …
October 11, 2017
Star bartender stops to talk flair, etc.
”The bar will always have its place in society — it's that comfortable spot between work and home. Million-dollar deals aren't made over a cup at Starbucks, they happen in bars.” — Star "Flair bartending," …
October 10, 2017
Sunset Cliffs at Voltaire, you dirty thing
Earlier this year, George Machuca bought the Precision Wireless business located at 4799 ½ Voltaire Street, located between Ocean Beach People’s Market and a liquor store. “When I first bought this business it was just …
October 10, 2017
Inn like Flynn on Sunset Cliffs
The Inn at Sunset Cliffs, whose owner overstepped the boundaries of the emergency permit to fix a collapsed deck, won the support of the Ocean Beach Planning Group Wednesday (October 4th) on its application for …
October 6, 2017
Party-bus pukefest in O.B.
On Saturday, September 30th, two chartered California Limo Buses rolled into Ocean Beach carrying approximately 100 college-age students. They were dropped off near the intersection of Santa Monica Avenue and Abbott Street, near the pier. …
October 5, 2017
The pet-friendly housing problem
A pet-friendly bill hit the governor's desk on September 21. The bill (AB 1137) would mandate that new multi-family housing developments allow tenants to have pets if those developments receive financing through state programs. @media …
Later, Bones — Sunshine Co. mural painted over
“The mural that was just painted over was done in 2005 — and there was one before that as well that included local characters at the time…. We had the ZZ Top–looking guy, who was …
October 5, 2017
No more brew rooms for O.B.?
The question of whether San Diego has become oversaturated with beer businesses is usually posed with regard to market demand: as in, how many local breweries can consumer dollars support? But on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis, …
September 30, 2017
Run over while sunbathing in Ocean Beach
A woman who was run over by a police department all-terrain vehicle while sunbathing in Ocean Beach has agreed to settle her lawsuit against the City of San Diego. Court documents show that Christine Frear …
September 28, 2017
Couldn't find a fight, so girl keys car in O.B.
Around noon on Sunday, September 24th, reports of an aggressive, bra-wearing driver and her silent sidekick driving around O.B. like lunatics started being reported on Facebook. Jane was the first to alert the community of …
September 26, 2017
Will O.B. parking situation stop Target?
O.B. locals reported seeing a notice posted at South Beach Bar and Grille (5059 Newport Avenue) in mid-August. The notice announced an application was filed with the city to turn the restaurant and bar on …
September 22, 2017
Buzzed man at the beach falls into the drink
“I’ve never heard a sound like that, “ Devin told me. “He literally fell backwards, off the cliff, and banged his head hard on the rocks.” Devin was one the three men who witnessed the …
September 16, 2017
Short-lived TV shows made here
Simon & Simon was a buddy detective series set in San Diego that ran for eight seasons on CBS during the ’80s. Veronica Mars put a teenage girl in a noirish milieu and managed three …
September 13, 2017
Ocean Beach — seven blocks surrounded by reality
As I walk among the pastel buildings of Newport Avenue as evening approaches, it’s not hard to tell why Ocean Beach is identified by locals and tourists alike as the most relaxed, bohemian neighborhood in …
September 6, 2017
Someone pushed me off the wave
Name: Derek Gerard Age: 13 Location: Ocean Beach Off Abbott Street, 13-year-old Derek Gerard was looking out at the water after a long surf session. “I just had a problem out there a couple of …
September 4, 2017
OB liquor store satisfies Baja gringo
Living south of the border, I’ve become spoiled by the low cost of quality meals, so when I have to come stateside, I usually pack a lunch. That is, except Tuesdays. Taco Tuesday is a …
September 3, 2017
Anti-Target demonstration in Ocean Beach
Anti-Target protesters gathered at the ocean end of Newport Avenue on the afternoon of August 31 before marching down the street and through the weekly farmers’ market. Vendors encouraged the protesters with hoots of support. …
August 31, 2017
Girls cheer each other on
Name: Carla Verbrugghen Age: 54 Location: Ocean Beach Occupation: Surf Instructor Carla Verbrugghen and her daughter were at the showers in OB when I meet up with them. Verbrugghen has been surfing since she was …
August 28, 2017