Oceanside Proposals
10 ways to ‘Say YES’ in Oceanside
Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular times to propose and if you’re thinking of proposing in Oceanside, we have just the inspiration you need. Here are some ideas to get you started. If you already got engaged in Oceanside, we’d love to hear about the big romantic moment. Please share your stories with us by tagging @visitoceanside on social media or by emailing us your stories and proposal photos at groups@visitoceanside.org. Let us include your story in an upcoming blog!
1. Oceanside Pier
Okay, so maybe the Oceanside Pier tops all of our lists in Oceanside, but when a pier is this majestic and beautiful, how can it not? There is no better place to catch a sunset and then drop to one knee and ask for your beloved’s hand in marriage. Just please hold tight to that ring if you’re proposing on the actual pier.
Proposal: The Oceanside Pier is popular for fishing. If you do not have your own supplies, check in with the Oceanside Pier Bait Shop, located halfway down the pier, to rent your fishing poles, get bait, and your license. When your significant other isn’t looking, tie a fake ring onto the fishing hook and gently cast into the water (no overhead casting at the pier). Hand the pole to your partner. After a few minutes, “notice” that the bait came off, and then have them reel it in. At the confused moment, when they’re looking at the fake ring at the end of the hook, you produce the real one.
Tip: When there is a negative low tide, the glassy sand under the pier makes for stunning photos.
2. Oceanside Harbor
Oceanside Harbor has several options for your ocean proposal. You can rent and pilot your own vessel through Oceanside Boat Rentals. They have kayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, power boats, electric boats, and more. If you prefer to sit back and have all of the arrangements made for you, several boat charters out of Oceanside Harbor offer these services and overnight excursions.
Proposal: (KISS) Keep It Short & Sweet with a bottle of champagne, a ring, and a question.
Tip: Book your dinner reservation at the Oceanside Broiler. Its waterfront location makes a romantic spot to celebrate a “yes”.
3. Harbor Beach Jetty
Say you’ll follow your love to the ends of the Earth. This is not the end of the road, but the beginning to a new horizon. This Jetty is located at the north end of Harbor Beach bordering Oceanside Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Weather and time of year are very important as it can be very windy with rough seas. Stay off the jetty in high surf conditions. Video: Sweet proposal by Joel to Alanna in the rain at the Oceanside Harbor.
Proposal: Imagine the two of you are walking along the jetty when all of a sudden you spot a bottle nestled in the rocks with a message inside. Astonished, you urge your fiancé to open the bottle and retrieve the note; a romantic marriage proposal from you.
Tip: Procure a friend to hide the bottle in a mutually selected area. Have them hide it just before you’re supposed to arrive. Be very careful for the bottle not to be washed away, polluting our waters.
4. Enchanting and Historic
For the spiritual couple, there is a certain reverence as you walk the hallowed grounds of Mission San Luis Rey. Start your lifetime together with the blessings of the spirits of the padres of the past.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the “King of the Missions,” is the 18th and largest in a chain of 21 California Missions established by the Spanish Franciscans in 1798. Areas of Mission San Luis Rey are off-limits to the public so check ahead before solidifying your plans.
Proposal: After your tour of the Mission, head over to Heritage Park where you’ve arranged a dinner for two. Hire a caterer to set the scene with a fully decorated table, candles and a floral centerpiece under the park’s gazebo. Hire a musician to softly play in the background. For the last course, have the server present the ring on a covered tray. Note: This will take considerable coordination between you, City of Oceanside’s Park and Recreation, and your caterer, so plan accordingly, but this epic proposal is one for the history books.
5. GoJUMP Coastal Skydiving
The couple that jumps together, stays together. The GoJump Oceanside team will be in the know from check in to landing and quietly help support all the logistics. The inside photo and videos are professionally edited photos and videos of your experience with footage taken from a camera mounted on the hand of your tandem master.
Proposal: GoJump Oceanside has a engagement package and will take care of all of the details for you! Have your friends and family hidden away and then after take-off, have them directed out to the drop zone (DZ if you want to sound cool) to cheer as you descend!! Make sure that you’re out of the plane first, so you’re on the ground in time to grab the ring from a trusted friend and “drop” to one knee.
6. Junior Seau Oceanside Pier Amphitheater
The Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater became a part of pop-culture history when it was featured at the end of the movie Bring It On (2000). The Oceanside Bandshell (its original name) was constructed in 1937 as a project of the federal Works Progress Administration and significantly altered in 1950 with its current art deco design. Today, the amphitheater hosts events, concerts, activities, festivals, and competitions throughout the year.
Proposal: During the summer, the City of Oceanside hosts Movie Night at the Pier. Check with the organizers to see if you can insert your own personal trailer like the guy above (grab a tissue): All together now…Awwwwwwwe. You can also look into renting the our own historic Star Theatre or Brooke’s Theatre.
7. Rent a Vacation Rental
Oceanside is home to several beach front vacation rentals that are large enough to hold multiple families all together. Beachfront Only vacation rentals are all directly on the ocean. Whether you are looking for a charming one bedroom beach bungalow on the sand for a romantic getaway, or a ten bedroom oceanfront luxurious mansion for your entire family, they are sure to have the place for you! Please check with your accommodations before planning any group gathering as many of them have restrictions as to what is permitted.
Proposal: Here is something different. This bride and groom had already been secretly engaged while stealthily planning a small intimate wedding. The groom gathered all of their friends and family at a beach front vacation rental on the premise that he was going to propose. After she accepted, they announced to their guests that they have actually been gathered to witness their wedding. (Tears ensue)
Tip: Make sure your significant other is in on the surprise. Not everyone will appreciate having a wedding sprung on them without warning.
8. Downtown Scavenger Hunt
When it comes to walking throughout Downtown Oceanside, there are so many places to explore, murals to see, sculptures, architecture, historical buildings, amazing restaurants, and let’s not forget the breweries and wine tasting rooms.
Proposal: Use the video above to be inspired to create a scavenger hunt throughout town that either ends on the pier or on the beach. Have your group of family and friends waiting at the end to help with the surprise. If the thought of putting together a scavenger hunt is daunting, we are frequent hosts to teambuilding companies that have already created fun itineraries for Downtown Oceanside. Reach out to us and let us give you a hand.
9. Oceanside Museum of Art
Oceanside Museum of Art is a premier regional art museum and a leader of arts and culture in San Diego. In addition to several highly praised contemporary art exhibitions per year, museum programming includes classes, lectures, docent tours, parties, concerts, films, culinary events, and chartered travel to other cultural art venues and destinations.
Proposal: In the classic 80’s movie, Some Kind of Wonderful, Kevin takes his date Amanda to the museum after hours where he surprises her with a portrait of her hanging in the gallery that he painted. It’s OK, if you’re not a talented painter. Simply watch the video above and create your own photo gallery of your lives together up to that point. Contact the Oceanside Museum of Art for availability of your exhibit.
10. Love Locks
The Love the O interactive sculpture proposal, created by Randall Art Ranch has been a feature at the Oceanside Harbor since late 2022. The metal sculpture is installed between the Oceanside Harbor and Harbor Beach (Lot 11) for the community to create a lasting connection and celebrate a commitment by placing a personal lock on the sculpture. Engraved locks, or ones simply marked for sentimental meaning to celebrate a birth, a marriage, a loved one, or a special occasion can be hung and revisited.
The 10’ x 10’ sculpture is fabricated with Corten steel. Sometimes called weathering steel, the metal is designed to develop a protective weathered surface which ages to a rusty, earthy look without losing its durability due to the salty sea air.
