From Sand to Table: A Coastal Food Journey in Oceanside California
- Kathy Condon
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
You come for the beach, the long stretch of sand, the steady rhythm of the waves—but it doesn’t take long to realize Oceanside’s food scene is just as much a draw. From January 11 through February 14, 2026, Oceanside restaurants will showcase their menus and feature local cuisine.
Disclaimer: This was a press trip, and most of my expenses were covered, but I wanted to share my impressions of the place where I stayed. By clicking on a link, I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase.
When I was invited to go to a preview food tour of the upcoming restaurant, the annual Swell Series, to explore the culinary scene in Oceanside, California, it didn’t take me long to say, Count me in. I asked a friend to accompany me. We were off on the road trip, taking a little less than two hours from Palm Springs, an easy trip.
What is the Swell Series?
This year, 18 Oceanside restaurants will offer special menu items featuring the Season of Wellness: Swell Plates Series logo. These specials were created for the series to capture the spirit of Oceanside, through local ingredients such as fish, produce from South Morro Hills Farms, and craft spirits.
You can pick up a passport at the Oceanside California Welcome Center. Once your passport reveals you have eaten at three restaurants, you will be entered to win a $50 restaurant gift card.
This year, they have added the Shoes and Chews Tour, which guides you to four restaurants for tastings and introduces you to the area. Carla and Linda, the owners, take joy in showcasing the restaurants, and it shows in their words and in their interactions with the chefs you meet on the tour.
Arriving in Oceanside
We stayed overnight, admittedly because I love Oceanside and there is a lot to explore and like, in this often-overlooked beach city. We checked into The Seabird Ocean Resort and Spa, located right on the famous Strand – a path leading all the way from Torrance to Malibu Beach.
Meeting the Sand and Chews Food Tour Media Group
We met the media group in the Seabird's lobby. We boarded the gO side Shuttle to South Oceanside. The shuttle was impressive: fully electric and operating throughout downtown Oceanside, it charged $3 per person, capped at $6 for more than two, and could seat five.
Greeted by the Shoes and Chews Tour Owner
Before long, we found ourselves going into the parking lot of The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza. There, we were greeted by Carla, who would lead us to various restaurants while sharing insider information about the area and the places we would be visiting.
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza is Known for Blue Collar Gourmet
The minute you walk in, you sense Privateer is probably a place where the locals come to meet. With giant smiles, the owners greeted us. They were childhood friends and surfers who had always dreamed of creating a place like this, a gathering spot to showcase local musicians, and fresh, local produce, creating dishes diners rave about.
We sat at a communal table, where a beautifully crafted charcuterie board awaited us as we settled in. However, the highlight of this stop was the pizzas, baked in a 100% coal-fired oven. Our tour guide had to remind us that, even though we all felt the pizza was outstanding, we had three other restaurants to stop at before the end of the tour, so leave some room for feature tastings. The consensus, Wow, we love the pizza.
The Plot is Completely Vegetarian
First, we toured The Plot patio, where tables were scattered around water-trough-like containers filled with produce and herbs used in this farm-to-table cuisine. The Plot is charming, and a lovely place to enjoy a beautiful summer beach day. Or if it's too chilly, there is plenty of indoor seating.
The Plot does serve wine and soju-based cocktails, but we can attest that who needs liquor when mocktails are so delicious. Before long, a sandwich-like meal that looked like pulled pork was in front of us. Of course, we knew it wasn’t because we are in a vegetarian restaurant.
Then the explanation came: we were about to eat a Banana Peel Torta made with banana-peel carnitas, coffee grounds, BBQ sauce, and avocado Seed Mole. We looked at each other and took a bite. Oh my, it was delicious. Yes, we cleaned our plates and marveled at the innovation unfolding in this popular establishment. No wonder the diners were streaming in.
Merenda Wine Bar
An owner of Merenda Wine Bar grew up in Oceanside. After a sabbatical in Italy, he and his wife returned to Oceanside. They wanted to showcase the excellent wine they had drunk. They opened Merenda and lined the walls with wines from around the world, though you can also purchase local craft beers.
Think about European aperitif time in Europe, when small bites are served, but the wine is the focus. We were served Grüner Veltliner wine and a classic Jambon-Beurre (ham-and-chip sandwich). This is the perfect place to meet friends to catch up or meet after work.
Piper is Upscale at the Seabird Ocean Resort and Spa
You can enter the Piper from street-side on the Strand, or through the main lobby of the Seabird Ocean Resort. There is an elegance about it that makes one note; this would be a special place to celebrate a special occasion.
The chef was waiting for us and shared a braised lamb dish, rooted in childhood memories. So tender and flavorful that it literally fell off the bone, as we touched it with our forks. We were the first to see the ceramic plate created by Linda Karso, specially for this entrée, and it will be used throughout the Swell Series.
Served a glass of wine, we sat back, happy and full, and bade our farewells to the other tour members.
By the end of the tour, Oceanside reveals itself in bites as much as views—each stop a small introduction to the city’s easygoing spirit and creative edge. You leave happily full, yes, but also with a better sense of place: a coastal town where the food feels personal, the chefs tell stories through their plates.
I cannot think of a better way to spend time in the normally quiet month of January. Oceanside has been one of my favorite beaches, but now I have even more reasons to go back. I have at least fourteen more restaurants to experience.
Kathy Condon is a Travel Journalist and Content Creator. Her niche is luxury experiences, hidden delights, and communities living in the shadows of large cities. 760-902-3094 www.PalmSpringsInsiderguide.com kathy@kathycondon.net
Wow - definitely adding the Sand to Table on my "to experience" list. Sounds like a fantastic upcoming event.