This was on Reddit by an anonymous letter writer “drinksomesand” – it and the responses are choice — in a good way.
by drinksomesand
I just spent a week in San Diego and stayed in Ocean Beach and I can’t really express what it all meant to me. I went to visit a friend who is spending the summer out there, I hadn’t been to the US for about 10 years and tbh went without really knowing what to expect.
I picked a hostel in OB because it was close to where my friend was staying, read some horror stories online about the area, figured it was gonna be exactly my kind of place.
What I wasn’t expecting though was how insanely friendly literally everyone was. I can’t remember a single time I locked eyes with someone in the street and they didn’t smile. So many strangers on the beach or sat at nearby tables would just strike up a conversation. Everyone seemed so down to just interact for the sake of interacting. I went to the wednesday night drum circle and woke up the next day with a bunch of new people on my instagram who I had randomly got talking to. Even the girl next to me on the plane out of SD instigated a conversation that lasted the whole flight. Whatever is the polar opposite of loneliness is what I felt the whole time.
I can imagine this being a socially awkward person’s worst nightmare, but for me it was amazing. Where I live in Barcelona it isn’t like that, where I grew up it isn’t really like that either. It’s really made me want to try to instigate these kinds of interactions more now I’ve left, even if people won’t be as receptive.
I actually didn’t venture into the rest of SD much but I’m sure the rest of you are just as incredible. Side note I also saw a guy try to strangle a girl with his surfboard leash then swim into the sea to espace the police on my first day, and got talking to a bunch of wacky people such as a girl whose mum was sacrificed. But it just added to the experience I think.
Thank you people of OB, if any of you ever come to Barcelona please reach out, I’d love to have a little piece of your crazy little town there with me.
Here are some of the responses — and answers.
- what a wonderful compliment! I moved here from Venice Beach in 2009. People told me it was the “ghetto” beach. I just laugh now as I stroll down Newport and walk to Sunset Cliffs with a huge smile on my face.
- Glad you liked it. I lived in OB a few years when I moved to SOCAL and still have fond memories of Wednesday night farmer’s market and daily trips to the beach.
- Aww that’s great to hear. I was born in OB in 1976 and I agree it’s a great place. Some crusty hobos but I’d take that over drunk zonie or Texas frat boys any day. – Not sure where you were going w the guy strangling his girl thing though.
- Answer: Ah I just mentioned it to make a point of how it’s a pretty crazy place and not for everyone, hence why I guess some people didn’t like it there. Also it was a great conversation starter hahah. Edit to say the girl was fine. Another edit to say apparently the girl was known in the area for harassing people and the guy had finally had enough of her, just to give some backstory.
- Every time I go to San Diego, I spend an afternoon in OB. Have some drinks at Tony’s, walk the pier (RIP)…the place brings the blood pressure down.
- OB is just one of those places that there’s something inexplicably special about it. It has some problems for sure… but, they don’t outweigh the feeling of just being there.
- It’s a great place to live, particularly after Labor Day when the people who take advantage of the vibe and disrespect the town leave!!!! Tourists rest of the year are generally cool
- So cute!! All of San Diego is amazing but OB but have a special touch of magic
- Love to hear this! I just moved to San Diego and I feel the same way… have been blown away by how kind and friendly everyone is. I’ve met friends on planes, at cigar bars, through fb marketplace exchanges lol. But I’ve been told by friends that it doesn’t happen to everyone and that it’s what we put out that creates this type of interaction. Something about your kindness was visible to those who interacted with you and you spread it!
- Ob is the best part of San Diego, come back soon :)
- I loved living in OB for these same reasons. The people there are amazing, even among the craziness! Glad you enjoyed your time.
- OB is land of the hippies, in a good way. Free spirit, live life as you wish and hugs to all. And lots of weed. Not always pretty and lots of public urinating, but i agree, a very chill place to hang. Glad you enjoyed your time here and anyone cool with hanging in OB is welcome back
- Es gracioso porque viví en Valencia, y esa ciudad fue exactamente como el OB que discribiste. Mi vida social ahí fue increíble, pero aquí en San Diego, pienso que es mucho más difícil encontrar nuevos amigos
- OB is a gem. I lived there for many years and while “where the debris meets the sea” earned its reputation, it’s actually a wonderful place to live. From head shops (the black) to Hodads and sunset cliffs…love it. Did many beach bonfire parties and it was alway very coo.
Awesome article from Barcelona. Thanks for sharing your experience in OB. We can never see our piece of the world as an outsider. We think it is a special place, and so happy you met friendly people and embraced the charm of our town.
I have lived in South Mission Beach since 1974, and while there is a different demographic there, I have found over the decades a very similar feeling of tolerance and acceptance by its residents. Owning property in any of the San Diego beach communities will over time produce financial benefits. But until recently, there was always a feeling of family that made equity value a secondary consideration. And here is where the residents of Mission Beach and the historic sites of Barcelona have had a similar experience with AirBnB whole home short term rentals. If I am not mistaken, the term gentrification originated in Barcelona, or at least there are several publications describing what AirBnB has done there. In Mission Beach, whole home short term rentals have displaced over 3,000 residents, and pitted those who support them against those who oppose their presence in such numbers. I may be wrong, but I believe the residents of Barcelona are rising up in greater numbers each year to attempt to recover their city. I also believe that Barcelona is five to ten years ahead of San Diego rejecting STRs. Hopefully some day those 3,000 residents of Mission Beach will return.
Locals are the heart and soul of a community. Councilmember Jen Campbell thinks $50M/annually collected from STVR tax is worth it. If Mayor FAULCONER hadn’t purchased 101 Ash Street, and we didn’t have to pay $350M total over the 30 years to pay off the debt from that fiasco, we could laugh at the short-term vacation rental industry and tell the platforms, adios amigos. We don’t want hotels in our residential neighborhoods—the hotels can provide the visitors with beds. California Coastal Commission has to realize by now that “affordable” vacation lodging should be 2nd fiddle to long term housing.