Oceanside Lifeguards provide safety services to our coast, waterways, and Harbor. Throughout the summer season, Lifeguards are on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Many of our Lifeguards are also EMTs. 

In 2024, Oceanside had a beach attendance of over 3.7 million people. Oceanside's Lifeguards made 1,490 ocean and boat rescues and performed over 14,800 preventative actions.  Don't be one of these statistics.  Follow these safety tips when you're at the beach:

• Always swim with a buddy, near a Lifeguard, in a designated swimming area. 
• Be aware of weather and water conditions.
• If you need help, yell or wave.
• If you feel stuck in a rip current, keep calm. Swim parallel to shore to "break the grip of the rip," then swim in.   Learn more
• When in doubt,  just get out.
• Never swim right next to a jetty or the pier.
• When entering and exiting the water, do the "stingray shuffle" to warn any stingrays that you're there -- they will dart away.  Don't stomp or slosh through the water ... shuffle your feet.
• Don't dive-in head first
• Please heed instructions from Lifeguards

More beach-related tips:

Pack out what you pack in:  If you're heading to the beach, help us keep it clean and beautiful!  Please pack out your trash.  Beach trash cans are emptied twice per day in the summer; even so, sometimes they overflow.  We can all  do our part to minimize this eyesore and hazard.  Do your best to minimize your use of plastics, and repackage any food or items in advance to avoid bringing potential trash with you.  If you do create trash, have a way to pack it out, such as a reusable trash bag. This can also come in handy when finding the inevitable flotsam that washes ashore.  Leave no trace!  This means food scraps, apple cores, orange peels, and nut shells, too.  These items can take years to decompose, are bad for wildlife, and can pollute the water.

Need to learn to swim? No problem!  The Oceanside Parks & Recreation Department has swimming lessons for children and adults.  See their seasonal Activity Guide for options.  Scholarships are available.

Beach Wheelchairs Available:  We believe in coastal access for all!  Beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be checked out -- free -- at the Lifeguard Headquarters on The Strand, or at the Junior Lifeguard Headquarters at 1304 N. Pacific Street.  More information 

No dogs are permitted on the beach:   While leashed dogs are permitted along The Strand, no dogs are allowed on the beach. 

Sealife and Wildlife:  Be respectful and observe, but don't touch. If you see an animal or bird is injured or sick, please let a Lifeguard know.  Lifeguards are in touch with Sea World and other agencies and can manage the situation.

Beach Parking:  Parking is tight in the summer months, so why not ride a bike, walk, or take public transportation? Oceanside also offers the gO'side electric shuttle that runs mainly west of the I-5 from the Harbor to the Buena Vista Lagoon.  Park for free at Civic Center garage or Oceanside Transit Center, hail the gO'side shuttle for a stress-free and easy drop off and pick up at the beach.  Shuttle details

If you are looking to park at the beach, take a look at your options:  Public Parking Lots

Related Links of Interest:

Harbor Marine Safety Unit Information

Learn about the Oceanside Junior Lifeguard Program

Explore a career as a Lifeguard!

Oceanside Beaches

Sand Replenishment & Retention Project

Coastal Management

Oceanside Pier Information