Ranch & Coast Magazine

with a showing of the original Top Gun movie. e dessert bar's signature dish is a hand pie filled with locally picked apples and house-made mascarpone ice cream, and fried to order. Chef and restaurateur Tara Lazar of F10 Hospitality, which also operates High/Low, came up with the concept. 844.330.1722, missionpacifichotel.com Guests at Mission Pacific also have access to amenities at the 226-room Seabird Resort next-door, which has the look of a chic coastal retreat, designed in hues of blue with nautical art and accessories. e resort's Piper Restaurant is a casual, stylish place open for breakfast, dinner, and weekend brunch where among its staff there's Carl, a veteran surfer with a sunny personality, who serves it all up with a smile. (My fave: the avocado toast with cherry wood-smoked salmon and poached eggs.) e open kitchen design features an organic juice bar and a made-to-order pasta station. e Shore Room off the lobby has a sleek bar serving such signature cocktails as the Maiden Voyage and Maritime Martini, and the outdoor, ocean-view patio is warmed by firepits and features selections from the seafood bar, cheese, and charcuterie. After a swim in the resort's ocean-view pool, guests can relax in e Shelter Club, decorated with framed vintage bathing suits, where they can order food and beverages and play pool or board games. All three restaurants are helmed by Executive Chef Kurtis Habecker alongside Chef de Cuisine Taylor Martin-Funk. e resort caters to kids and families, offering a "Surfing by e Seabird" program, a surf valet experience and lessons with the North County Surf Academy alongside pro surfer Duran Barr, a third-generation Oceanside resident. e "Little Seabirds" program will keep young guests engaged with interactive, ocean-inspired activities that include building sandcastles and hunting for "treasure." A meticulously restored 1941 beach Rambler now on the Oceanside Strand is stocked with everything guests need for a day on the beach from umbrellas to snacks to sand toys. When Mom (or Dad) needs a break, it's time to book a "farm-to-sea" treatment at Sunny's Spa and Beauty Lounge, a 7,700-square-foot space complete with a relaxation lounge overlooking the sea. I enjoyed one of the best massages I've ever had and learned that locals from San Diego and Orange counties get treatment upgrades Monday through ursday and a glass of "bubbles," with access to the pool and valet parking. e salon provides cuts, color, extensions, and mani-pedis. e Seabird's Grand Coastal ballroom, foyer, terrace, salon, and library are stunning venues for special events, including last February's fête for the 25th anniversary of the Oceanside Museum of Art, which has a rotating exhibit, known as OMA West, in e Seabird. e museum also curated the art collection in both hotels. 855.420.8163, seabirdresort.com Just a few blocks from the beach, the Oceanside Museum of Art's main museum showcases exhibitions including contemporary art, photography, landscapes, neon sculpture, and furniture. Oceanside Unfiltered, which runs through May 29, highlights some of the town's best photographers, offering a gritty look at a side of Oceanside that tourists don't always see. Across the street, check out Artists Alley, where up-and-coming artists display their work. Or, pop into the California Surf Museum to see a collection of surf memorabilia including pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton's shark-bitten surfboard. Additional area attractions include guided nature walks at Buena Vista Lagoon, a 223-acre wetland and ecological reserve; Mission San Luis Rey, known as the "King of Missions," founded in 1798; Heritage Park for a look back at the town's original buildings including the general store, blacksmith shop, and livery stable; the Model Train Museum; and Farmer's Market/Sunset Market on ursday mornings, where one can mingle with farmers, artisans, and artists. e 100-acre Oceanside Harbor has the largest single municipally operated marina in San Diego County, offering boating, water sports, shops, and restaurants. Whether you venture off-property or stay on site to savor all that e Seabird and Mission Pacific have to offer, it's certainly worth the short drive north to explore an ever-growing playground that awaits in Oceanside. visitoceanside.org ranchandcoast.com @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE MAY 2022 75 The Shore Room at The Seabird Resort The Top Gun House Oceanview premier room at The Seabird

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