By Michael Angelo Hernandez
“You can’t go home again” is an expression that comes from the famous 1940 novel of the same name, from American author and social commentator Thomas Wolfe.
At its core, the phrase simply means one cannot return to a previous time or place. Even if one did, they would find both themselves and the world around them have changed since, as change is a fundamental law of the universe.
Back in July, I wrote about some changes coming to Ocean Beach by way of five commercial properties listed up for sale. Since then, there have been some updates to the status of these properties, as well as the addition of more properties being put on the market. Here’s a look at three more properties up for sale in Ocean Beach.
4649 Voltaire Street – The Twin Cypress Apartments
The first property up for sale is the Twin Cypress Apartments at 4649 Voltaire Street. The 18-Unit Apartment building is priced at almost $430,000 per unit, for a grand total of $7.7 million. Investment highlights on the listing tout the apartments as a fully gated community with secure access in a “Prime Coastal San Diego Location”. The listing also highlights the “excellent walkability” to shops and nightlife near Newport Avenue and the Ocean Beach Pier. The listing does this despite the pier being closed since October of 2023, with it expected to remain closed until the completion of the long-term pier replacement project.
High Exposure Voltaire St Portfolio — Auto Repair, Catalina Lounge and Long Story Irish Pub
The High Exposure Voltaire Street Portfolio (see photo at top) features 2 retail properties offered at almost $7 million. The two properties are located at 2216 Catalina Boulevard and 4212 Voltaire Street. The nearly 12,000 square foot retail building on Catalina, built in 1957, is home to the temporarily closed San Diego Bus and Auto Repair Shop. In the same building, is the laid-back old-school neighborhood dive bar that has been operating since the 60s – Catalina Lounge. As well as the formerly beloved community gathering spot – the Long Story Irish Pub, which permanently closed at the end of July 2026. The closure came less than a year after the owner made a plea to the public for help as the business faced severe financial strains.
The property at 4212 Voltaire Street is a 560 Square foot property built in 1925. A Zillow listing says the property contains one bedroom and one bathroom and sits on a 0.29 acre lot. The property currently has no notable historical storefront or named businesses associated with it. Instead it is classified in public and commercial records as a single family residential or small retail/commercial parcel.
Update on Commercial Properties for Sale:
4838 Voltaire Street
The property at 4838 Voltaire Street, home of Ocean Beach Upholstery for over 61 years, sold on August 24 of this year for almost $1.9 million. The name of the buyer has not been publicly disclosed.
4979 Newport Ave
The property at 4979 Newport Ave, where the now-permanently closed SunShine DayDreams bohemian clothing store once stood, has been taken off the market and is no longer advertised as for sale. However, there is no official public record confirming a finalized sale of the property just yet.
The Ocean Beach Collective – 1852-1866 Bacon Street
The commercial property portfolio known as The Ocean Beach Collective at 1852-1866 Bacon Street has also been taken off the market. This portfolio includes one of the top-ranked cantina-style Mexican restaurants in Ocean Beach, La Doña. Long-considered a community staple, the roughly 26,000 square foot site consists of three buildings with key tenants including a vintage clothing store, and a dress maker. Public records have not confirmed a finalized sale either.
Ocean Beach Commercial Building – 4870 Santa Monica Avenue
The Ocean Beach Commercial Building at 4870 Santa Monica Avenue is currently still up for sale. An office space lease or listing associated with the property marked a new transaction/lease for $1,795 a month on August 11 of this year. This is another property in which public records still do not show a finalized sale.
California Dreams Hostel – 3790 Udall Street
Finally, the California Dreams Hostel at 3790 Udall Street is still currently up for sale as well. The highly-rated boutique hostel sits on an almost 10,000 square foot lot spanning two parcels, 17 rooms, and an 8,400+ square foot total building area.
