Ranch & Coast Magazine

T HE LONGTIME HOME OF Camp Pendleton, the sprawling military base dedicated on September 25, 1942, Oceanside is also becoming known for tourism, welcoming visitors from afar and locals looking for a staycation. Two new resort hotels, the Mission Pacific and e Seabird, have sprung up along Pacific Street in the past year, just steps from the iconic Oceanside Pier, the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. e hotels, both Hyatt properties and boasting six restaurants combined, debuted last spring, marking the largest oceanfront hotel development in San Diego County in 50 years. My husband and I stayed in a contemporary oceanfront room at the 161-room Mission Pacific, where 80 percent of rooms have sea views. We sipped wine on the terrace overlooking bustling Pacific Street, watching a parade of people, bikers, and classic cars passing by. For lunch, we sampled light bites at High/Low, the hotel's breezy café. On the sixth floor, we especially enjoyed e Rooftop Bar, the only rooftop pool/ bar in Oceanside, offering bottle service, craft cocktails, and small bites. A new DJ series and live entertainment launches this summer. You can't beat the view, especially at sunset, or a moonlight dip in the pool. One of the highlights of our stay was a winemaker's series dinner at Valle, the hotel's fine dining venue helmed by Ensenada native Chef Roberto Alcocer, who trained in Michelin-star kitchens before opening his own restaurants. Alcocer paired cuisine from Baja's Valle de Guadalupe with wines from the valley's Lechuza Vineyard. Winemaker Kristin Shute was on hand to share her expertise. (e winemaker series will continue throughout the year.) Valle restaurant offers four-course tasting menus from 5-9pm Wednesday through Sunday, or drinks and appetizers at the bar. 866.723.8906, valle@jdvhotels.com e historic 1887 Graves House, better known as "e Top Gun House" after it was immortalized in the popular Tom Cruise movie, has been relocated to the hotel's courtyard and restored, earning a preservation award from the Save Our Heritage Organisation. Originally built as a vacation home for Dr. Henry Graves, the Victorian-style cottage will reopen May 14 as e High Pie, complete COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHY About Face Oceanside's new waterfront resorts welcome tourists and locals BY ANDREA NAVERSEN Detour destinations @ranchandcoast ranchandcoast.com 74 MAY 2022 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE Mission Pacific Hotel

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