5 Quirky & Romantic Adventures in Oceanside

When it comes to romantic getaways, Oceanside, California offers couples a version that is quintessential Oceanside— quirky, offbeat, thrilling and uniquely heart-stirring. From matching tattoos to helicopter wine tours and being the only place in the U.S. to experience culinary delights from one of Japan’s most decorated ramen chefs, Oceanside’s playful side makes this San Diego beach getaway anything but the expected. Here are five great ways to get romantic on an Oceanside getaway in 2019.

Tattoos for Two

Named one of just 14 California Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council in 2017, Oceanside is highly regarded for its eclectic, emerging art scene, which includes tattoo art. Many visitors find that the perfect memento from a visit to Oceanside is a pair of matching tattoos from Oceanside’s Arcade Tattoo. Occupying a beautifully renovated space adorned with roll-up, garage door-style windows and elegant wood accents, Arcade Tattoo is not only an inviting place to get inked by talented tattoo artists but also a modern-day tattoo museum. The shop features an extensive collection of museum quality artifacts that showcase the history and evolution of folk-art tattooing on the West Coast.

Wine Flights

There are wine flights and then there are wine “flights.” Visitors might feel like they are living a real-life episode of the Bachelor with Waverider Helicopter’s Lunch and Wine Tour. The experience includes a 20-minute flight from Oceanside Airport that cruises along the scenic coastline before turning inland toward Temecula. Guests land at Temecula’s Thornton Winery where they are greeted with a glass of champagne and can enjoy a two-hour lunch and wine tasting before being whisked back to Oceanside by helicopter.

Flip-Flop “Michelin” Dining

While the town’s dining persona is laid-back, flip-flop casual Oceanside is a hotbed for culinary excellence and a destination for swoon-worthy meals that can’t be experienced anywhere else. Ramen Menma Basso Drillman and Dija Mara are two new hot spots guaranteed to impress a romantic date. Ramen Menma is the first U.S.-based eatery for one of Japan’s most acclaimed ramen chefs and four-time winner of the Michelin Bib Gourmand award, Ryuichiro Shinagawa. His signature soup-less ramen, aburasso, is a highlight at the Oceanside location and based on well-seasoned, chewy noodles topped with slow-cooked pork, bamboo shoots, cabbage and green onions. Dimly lit, with a hip urban vibe and small neighborhood feel, Dija Mara has the ideal atmosphere for an intimate date night and features a Balinese-inspired menu that earned the restaurant Eater San Diego’s 2018 restaurant of the year award. Chef Ryan Costanza, whose resume includes high-profile positions working for two Michelin star chefs, is the mastermind behind the menu and restaurant’s buzz-worthy reputation.

Sip and Sea

Exploring Oceanside’s coastal waters while savoring sunset views and local wine is a no-brainer for couples staying in Oceanside. On the first Saturday of each month, Oceanside Adventures offers a picture-perfect Harbor Wine Cruise that includes a 90-minute cruise aboard its luxurious catamaran, selection of appetizers and three tastes of wine from Oceanside’s award-winning Beach House Winery.

Cozy Up at the new Fin Hotel

The newly restored Fin Hotel features just 26 rooms and has a history that dates back to the golden age of the 1920s, when Oceanside was the preferred destination of movie stars and other Hollywood types. While every room is unique, couples particularly enjoy room 212, which features an expansive private balcony with ocean views. The hotel retains much of its original character — including a picturesque staircase, beautiful tiled lobby and retro-signage—and is in the heart of downtown near craft breweries, restaurants, museums and the beach. What’s more, with the train station within easy walking distance, guests can go truly old-school glam and opt to travel by train on this romantic adventure.

For more information, visit https://visitoceanside.org/.

 Photos courtesy of Visit Oceanside