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Hippie van in Ocean Beach, San Diego
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Ocean Beach

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…an earthy-crunchy beach town


Where can you live if you’re one of those people (and you know who you are!) who want to hear The Grateful Dead in the middle of the night? Is an organic café and market near home or on your list of must-haves? Do you think Starbucks is the equivalent of a mind-snatching cult? Are you adamant about escaping the high-roller, poseur, wealth-flaunting, greedy real estate shark culture?

Then you’ll want to crash in Ocean Beach.

There’s a deep hippie vibe here, and it shows in the broad-mindedness of the residents, a healthy mix of “granola-types,” surfers, families, punk-rockers, biker-dudes and chicks. What’s NOT encouraged is the aforementioned shark culture that is inching its way everywhere, even into this turn-of-the-century-resort town.

“Condo-ization” and the addition of a Starbucks are trends that many in this turn-of-the-century resort town feel are pandering to those outside the community. Vigilant residents believe their town is the last of its kind. They want to maintain a decent number of rentals and provide ever-vanishing affordable housing in San Diego.

There are the usual street fairs, cookoffs and fests. As you’d expect in such a laisez-faire community, there’s a leash-free dog run, a local art known as “rock balancing,” and unwavering devotion to the local farmers market and merchants.

No wonder some call it “organic beach”.

View neighborhood hotspots

Known for:

Hip hippies

Main drag:

Newport Avenue

Ocean Beach blogs and events

How to Avoid the Swine Flu for Apartment Dwellers

It’s important for people to be aware of how to prevent any type of cold or flu—especially those living in close quarters with many other people, such as apartment renters.

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Apartments in Ocean Beach

Surfcaster Apartments - 5050 Niagara St