Ocean Beach, San Diego is southern California's home for surfing, sunbathing, swimming, fishing, shopping, biking, hanging out, walking on the pier and enjoying the eclectic vibe which is present in nearly everything in this neighborhood. This seemingly seaside-village, which is known locally as "OB", allows visitors and locals to share in some of the best fun that the city of San Diego has to offer. The landmark Ocean Beach Municipal Fishing Pier, the leash-free OB Dog Beach, unique OB walking cliffs, OB beach bars, groovy restaurants and the locally owned and operated stores that include tattoos, antiques, records, salons and several places to get all the gear you would need to try surfing OB. On Newport Avenue the coolness never ends as it represents the throwback feel of the 1960's which creates a quasi nostalgic vibe that is ever-present throughout the Ocean Beach community.

Nearby destinations of Sea World, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Old Town and Downtown San Diego receive more attention than Ocean Beach making it sort of like San Diego's hidden gem. Because of this, many visitors to southern California miss the opportunity to visit this friendly neighborhood, which has made OB a favorite for locals who want to get away from the crowds to shop, surf, eat and hang-out by the beach. The locals in turn have turned Ocean Beach into the most dog-friendly neighborhood in San Diego, which recently was voted America's most dog-friendly city. With a feel that is authentic, OB seems to be content the way it is. And why not, OB has the popular People's organic food co-op and many residents choose the beach cruiser bicycle as their primary transportation. The  large parks in OB and beautiful OB beaches  create a very eco-friendly but funky Ocean Beach lifestyle that revolves around leisurely outdoor activities. Add to that the mix of vibrant locals, experienced surfers, variety of dogs and visitors from all over the world and you get the sense of what makes all of OB so special. 

A few miles northwest from San Diego's Downtown and only a mile from Sea World, Ocean Beach is home to the southernmost public beach on the Point Loma peninsula. It could be described as a place where everything seems to be a bit funky, but in fact its this funkiness that makes the sounds of the waves eternal, the OB art creatively diverse, and dogs wag their tails in delight.

The Ocean Beach News photo blog aims to capture some of this magic and mystique that makes Ocean Beach, San Diego one of the true treasures of southern California.