The Ozone – Mission Pacific’s Boutique Sets Trends for the Beach and Beyond
BY ANDREW BENDER
Visitors to Oceanside in recent years have noticed a sea change in the shopping scene, from practical to fun, fashionable to just plain cool.
Leading the way is The Ozone at Mission Pacific. More than just a hotel boutique, “The Ozone aesthetic reflects all the originality and freshness that is the Oceanside, West Coast, California lifestyle,” says the shop’s creative director/buyer Karen Meena. “It’s an inspired mix of beach living, vintage pieces, fashion favorites, and new designers.”
Whether you’re looking for clothing or accessories for women, men or kids, home décor, books, body care, or gifts to wow the folks back home, The Ozone has you covered with a curated selection of goods that are always on point and often unavailable anywhere else — all inspired by the ocean just out the window.
It’s made The Ozone a magnet from the instant it opened in summer 2021, with clientele from hotel guests to neighbors out on their morning dog walks.
“They’re so excited to be here,” says store manager Jess Murphy. “We get comments from visitors like ‘There’s nothing like this even in my entire state!’ We also have our local customers who pop in every week to say hello and see what’s new.”
Here are just a few of the favorite brands and finds you can pick up at The Ozone (along with an extra-special shopping experience).
LOCAL LOVE
Let’s start with local brands. The Ozone carries Rais Case (handbags), Feather4Arrow (kids clothing), and Raen (sunglasses), making nationwide names for themselves from right here in Oceanside.
From nearby Encinitas, designer Tristan Detweiler of Stan recently won a Rising Star award for fashion design. “He hand sews vintage quilts and textiles to create his one-of-a-kind luxury collection of tops, jackets, and outerwear,” Meena says. “We launched him when we opened the store here, and he’s going to do a pop-up with us too” — one of many events the shop does throughout the year. The Ozone also sells handmade hats by Encinitas milliner Austin Zito of Zito Hat Co.
Other signature Southern California brands include Aviator Nation (Meena calls it “a classic LA brand with a cool ‘70s vibe” — The Ozone stocks some of their more unique items), Free City (limited edition clothing), Madeworn (rock band t-shirts made with throwback designs, down to their 1970s-quality stitching from Japanese looms), Outerknown (sustainably produced surf-inspired clothing like the “blanket shirt,” in partnership with surf legend Kelly Slater), Osea (body care products, which you can also try at Sunny’s Spa at the Seabird), and Apothia (creators of The Mission Pacific and sister resort The Seabird’s signature fragrances).
And among The Ozone’s exclusive brands, Meena says, “We have a tie-dye artist who hand tie-dyes vintage shirts, so they’re all one of a kind.”
The Ozone also launched Drake’s California on the West Coast (alongside Bergdorf-Goodman in New York). A former designer for Nili Lotan now makes her own line of hoodies with clever fashion sense, in plush French Terry fabric and featuring “bracelet sleeves” and lower necklines, so your jewelry doesn’t have to hide.
Even legacy designers get The Ozone treatment: Respoke makes espadrilles using upcycled, vintage fabrics from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Pucci, and you’ll find vintage home décor collectibles from the likes of Versace, Hermès, and Christian Dior.
FOR HOME AND BOOKSHELF
Beyond fashion, Meena says, “I’m happy to say that books are still some of our best sellers — we do book signings, too.” Here you can browse an array of titles covering cooking to fashion to music, including many about California.
Within The Ozone’s home collection, if you like the style of the pillows at Mission Pacific (and how can you not?), you can buy them here. Nearby is “acrylic crystal” barware from Italian designer Mario Luca Giusti. “You really have to hold these to realize they aren’t glass,” Murphy says. More than just clever, there’s a practical purpose: Any Californian will tell you that you don’t want breakable glassware anywhere near swimming or surfing, so they’re perfect for adding elegance to a beach or pool party.
The Ozone also stocks housewares from Missoni Home, like bathrobes, throws, and beach and pool towels. “People are very excited because it’s really hard to find Missoni Home in San Diego,” says Meena. You’ll also find journals, trays, and boxes from Christian Lacroix.
And although The Ozone is proudly Californian even the East Coast is represented, with Connecticut designer Kerri Rosenthal’s throws, sweaters, and artwork. “It’s a very happy, joyful, positive message with bright colors, and has resonated well with our clients,” Meena says. “We love it.”
PERSONALIZED STYLING AND SHOPPING
We bet you’ll love The Ozone too.
And for the full-on treatment, Meena says, “Guests are invited to stop in or call The Ozone to schedule personal styling and shopping appointments with our team of stylists.”
Whether for yourself or for gift-giving, she says, “Our team will discuss with guests their personal shopping needs, sizes, and colors, and pick out a selection, which can be tried on in-store or can be brought up to the guest’s room.”
It’s all designed, she says, “so you can take a taste of Oceanside home with you.”
The Ozone is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the street level of Mission Pacific. All goods are also available online, anytime.
