Oceanside’s Hidden Gem Shines Bright

Mission Pacific Beach Resort Named the No. 1 Hotel in Southern California

Not long ago, Oceanside was a coastal town travelers stumbled upon—a place surfers loved, locals cherished, and visitors described as a “hidden gem” along the Pacific Coast. Today, that gem is shining brighter than ever.

This fall, Condé Nast Traveler readers crowned Mission Pacific Beach Resort the No. 1 Hotel in Southern California in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. For those who know Oceanside, this honor feels like a natural next step in the city’s transformation from beloved surf town to a world-class destination. For first-time visitors, it’s an invitation to discover Southern California in its purest, most unexpected form.

From Surf Culture to Starred Dining

Mission Pacific Beach Resort opened in 2021 with a simple but ambitious vision: to create a coastal retreat that stayed true to Oceanside’s laid-back surf culture while offering experiences you’d expect from California’s most stylish addresses.

Wake up in a room filled with light and ocean breeze. Stroll through The Ozone, our boutique retail shop curated with finds from local artisans. Pause to admire art handpicked by the Oceanside Museum of Art. When it’s time to dine, options unfold across the resort: enjoy Baja-inspired MICHELIN-starred cuisine at Valle by Chef Roberto Alcocer; savor sunrise-to-sunset ocean views with relaxed California fare at High/Low; toast the golden hour with craft cocktails at The Rooftop Bar; or stop by the historic Top Gun House, where nostalgia meets sweetness in our signature HIGH-pie hand pies.

Each experience tells a different story, yet together they capture the spirit of Oceanside, authentic, creative, and effortlessly coastal.

Oceanside’s Culinary Awakening

Beyond the resort walls, Oceanside itself has quietly become one of Southern California’s most exciting dining destinations. Food lovers are making the pilgrimage for Dija Mara, where bold Indonesian flavors meet a modern edge, and Matsu, a celebrated Japanese restaurant balancing tradition with innovation. There’s the playful creativity of Wrench and Rodent, a sushi spot unlike any other, and the irresistible comfort of Tanner’s Burgers, a local favorite where casual bites turn into culinary cravings. Together, these restaurants help to shape Oceanside’s identity as not just a beach town, but a food scene worth traveling for.

A City of Hidden Gems

To truly understand why Mission Pacific sits at the top, you need to step outside its doors. Oceanside is filled with treasures that reveal themselves slowly, like secrets shared between friends.

There’s the California Surf Museum, where surfboards and stories capture the soul of the coast. The charming Oceanside Harbor, where you can watch whales breach or rent a paddleboard for an afternoon adventure. Tremont Collective, buzzing with craft makers and local flavors. Camp Coffee, where a perfectly poured latte feels like a hug from the neighborhood. Madeline’s Café & Bakery, a sweet stop for pastries worth the detour.

These places, unassuming yet unforgettable, are what make Oceanside more than a stop between San Diego and Orange County. They make it a destination in its own right.

More Than Awards

While accolades like Condé Nast Traveler’s No. 1 Hotel in California are humbling (and following last year’s Travel + Leisure “No. 1 Resort in the Continental U.S.,” truly extraordinary), what matters most is what those awards represent: the voices of our guests. More than 750,000 readers shared their travel stories this year, and woven into those votes are countless moments of connection, joy, and discovery in Oceanside.

At Mission Pacific, we like to think of ourselves as more than a hotel. We’re the storytellers of a city on the rise, the gateway to hidden gems, and the stage for unforgettable memories.

So next time you find yourself on the California coast, follow the call of the ocean north of San Diego. You’ll find Oceanside, our hidden gem—and at its heart, the No. 1 Hotel in California, Mission Pacific.

Discover Oceanside’s story for yourself. Book your stay today.