This Beachy Hotel Is My New Favorite in Southern California, and You Need to Book a Trip
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I'm not going to lie to you—before I visited this past November, I hadn't thought much about the city of Oceanside, California. I had spent plenty of time in nearby San Diego and all the little beach towns just north in Orange County, but Oceanside wasn't on my radar...which, in hindsight, was a huge mistake. Oceanside is the epitome of SoCal beach vibes, and it 100 percent deserves to be on your 2024 travel bucket list. And if you're planning on visiting, then you absolutely need to book a stay at The Seabird Ocean Resort and Spa. Trust.
Situated right in front of the iconic Oceanside Pier, The Seabird is in the perfect location. It also has all the amenities you could ever ask for in a beach-centric hotel, including multiple bars and restaurants, a world-class spa, and a gorgeous rooftop pool. Keep reading for my full review of The Seabird, along with everything you need to do and see when you eventually (😉) book your trip.
QUICK HITS: THE SEABIRD EDITION
Location: Oceanside, California
Cost Per Night: $300+
Best For: Beach weekends and spa days
While You’re Here, Check Out: The Oceanside Pier and nearby beaches
One-Word Vibe Check: Coastal
Most Iconic Photo Spot: The Rooftop Bar at sunset
Don’t Leave Without: Treating yourself to a spa day at Sunny's
THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
First things first, the aesthetic here screams Southern California. The decor is super beachy (think: lots of shiplap, white-washed woods, coastal blues, and surf-inspired photography), and the decor is elevated without trying too hard, if ya know what I mean. Across the street sits The Seabird's sister property, the Mission Pacific Beach Resort, and guests are welcome to use the amenities at either location (which I did!), and it really makes it feel like the resort is twice as big. The Mission Pacific looks and feels a bit more modern and moody than The Seabird, so if you're looking for more of an ~adult~ vibe, you may wanna book there.
THE ROOMS
Admittedly, I was in my room very little and mostly hung out at the beach and pool during the day, but the time I did spend in there was lovely. We booked The Seabird's king room with an ocean view, and just like the rest of the property, it was bright and cheery. The bathroom was spacious (a must for me), the bed was comfy (another must for me since I visited at seven months pregnant), and there was even a little balcony that looked out over the beach and pier—an ideal spot for morning coffee or soaking in the sunset.
THE AMENITIES
My favorite amenity hands down was Sunny's, the in-house spa at The Seabird. I've been to more spas than the average human (beauty editor work perks), so I'm a bit hard to please, but Sunny's seriously wowed me. For one, I loved the laid-back energy. Plenty of spas—especially the ones in nice hotels—can feel really stuffy, sterile, and quiet, to the point of being uncomfortable. But Sunny's was the total opposite. The staff was warm and welcoming, there was plenty of natural sunlight and an ocean breeze, and the snacks were actually good! This is the kind of place you could come with girlfriends and not get yelled at for giggling in the lounge area or shamed for forgetting to put on your spa sandals.
The spa services were also next-level. The treatment menu is expansive and blends both traditional and holistic methods, so you'll get results but also feel deeply relaxed. I got my first-ever prenatal massage and it was magic—all my back pain was relieved and the swelling in my calves and feet was significantly reduced post-treatment. I was also lucky enough to try the Sculpt and Lift Gua Sha Facial, which included 75 minutes of face massage using a jade stone designed to soften lines, minimize puffiness, and give you a more snatched look. My skin looked so good after that I didn't wear a stitch of makeup for two whole days.
THE FOOD AND BEV
Between The Seabird and The Mission Pacific, you have six different bar and restaurant options to check out during your stay. My favorites were High/Low for breakfast or brunch, Piper for dinner, and The Rooftop Bar for tapas and light bites.
High/Low has a casual indoor/outdoor atmosphere and great specialty coffees, along with morning staples like breakfast burritos and avocado toast. Piper, on the other hand, is a bit fancier, featuring an international-inspired menu with everything from lobster lo mein to Mexican-style chicken. The Rooftop Bar is where you should go if you want a dinner and drinks situation that's a bit scenier. It feels very L.A. (influencers abound!) and the views of the beach and promenade from six floors up are pretty stellar. My husband and I snagged a table for golden hour and munched on whipped feta, hummus, prawns, and grilled mushroom skewers (all 10/10 recs from our server) while listening to the DJ.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Take it from me: there's really no reason not to make The Seabird—and Oceanside!—a part of your 2024 travel plans. It's relatively affordable given the beachfront location and ample amenities—plus it's a quick 30-minute Uber from the San Diego airport, so it's easy to get to, as well. And because it's located in sunny SoCal, you're pretty much guaranteed good weather wherever you go 😎. What more can you ask for, right?
(FYI: The writer received comped accommodations, meals, and spa experiences during this getaway.)
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