When we talk about tourism, we usually focus on the benefit to the visitor—the memories they’ll make, the experiences they’ll treasure. But tourism contributes to the O’side economy in ways that benefit every O’sider. The 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) assessed on hotel, vacation rental, and Airbnb stays of less than 30 days, for example, goes directly to the City of Oceanside’s general fund to support essential city services like public safety, parks, road repair, and more.
2023 Travel Related Spending
$589 M
3% Increase over 2022
Tax Revenue
$43 M
State and Local Tax Revenue
Employment
3,940
Hospitality Jobs
Food & Beverage
$185 M
Lodging
$192 M
Retail
$73 M
Transportation
$56 M
Arts & Recreation
$83 M
Since 2009, Visit Oceanside, a non-profit destination marketing organization, has been funded by a separate 1.5%-2.5% fee assessed on each room night that goes to the Oceanside Tourism Marketing District (OTMD). Our mission? To improve the quality of life in Oceanside and protect our precious natural resources while generating the kinds of economic development opportunities that bring value back to O’side and O’siders. We want to bring important tax-generating revenues to O’side throughout the year and so focus on diversifying our new market opportunities beyond the summer months and weekends. The reports and statistics on this page can help you understand the impact of tourism on O’side, and our priorities for the future.
Population/Size: 174,578 (US Census, 2020) / 42 square miles
Date of Incorporation: July 3, 1888
Climate
Oceanside’s climate is one of the most desirable in the world!
Average annual high: 66 degrees
Average annual low: 53.9 degrees
Average annual rainfall: 10.28 inches
Location
35 miles north of San Diego
83 miles south of Los Angeles
16 miles south of San Clemente/Orange County
Interstate 5, a major north/south corridor, bisects Oceanside one mile east of the ocean. State Highway 78 intersects Interstate 15 at Escondido, 29 miles to the east. State Highway 76 runs east to I-15.