Surf Into Oceanside for One Last Summer Wave

There's still time to catch a wave to Oceanside, San Diego's North Shore, for one last summer set. Wet or dry, visitors can soak up the surf culture through new exhibits at the California Surf Museum, by watching top female surfers compete in the Supergirl Pro or just experiencing the thrill of a wave with Marriott's new surf package.

Ford Supergirl Pro: The best female surfers on the planet will converge on the beach at Oceanside Pier, August 2-4, 2013 for the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-Star Ford Supergirl Pro presented by Paul Mitchell. Visitors can watch world-class surfers such as Bethany Hamilton, Carissa Moore, Coco Ho and Lakey Peterson compete in the only women's qualifying event in America. In addition to presenting the best female surfing on the planet, the event supports an eco-awareness platform that will feature more than 10 sustainability organizations as well as a surf industry village, live music, seminars, yoga, fashion, autographs from the pros, free hair styling by Paul Mitchell and other female-oriented activities. The event will run on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, August 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.supergirljam.com

New Exhibits at the California Surf Museum: Located on Pier View Way just steps from the surf in downtown Oceanside, the California Surf Museum is a must see for visitors. The museum documents the surf lifestyle from its roots to modern day through an impressive collection of surf memorabilia. New exhibits worth checking out include "The Magic of Windansea: Five Decades of Capers, Shapers & Stories of California's Legendary Surf Club" and "Tan Your Hide in Oceanside" in recognition of Oceanside's 125 Year Anniversary. Always popular is Bethany Hamilton's exhibit "Courageous Inspiration" where visitors can check out Bethany's shark bit surfboard and other memorabilia documenting her recovery from the shark attack that inspired the movie Soul Surfer. www.surfmuseum.org 

Private Surf Lessons- Experiences By Marriott:  Oceanside sister hotels, Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside and Residence Inn San Diego Oceanside, have launched a new "Experiences by Marriott" program that includes a Private Surf Lesson Package or a Skydiving Package. The Private Surf Lesson Package starts at $169 per night and includes one night's accommodations and a 2-hour private surf lesson through SoCal Surf School. Those who would rather take to the air can book the Skydiving Package, which starts at $279 and includes an overnight and a tandem jump with Tsunami Skydivers, the only coastal skydiving experience in Southern California. For reservations, call 760-966-1000 (Courtyard) or 760-722-9600 (Residence Inn) or online at www.residenceinnoceanside.com and www.courtyardoceanside.com

125 Years of Oceanside: Founded on July 3, 1888, Oceanside is located along the beautiful Southern California coastline and considered the gateway city between metropolitan San Diego and Los Angeles. A classic Southern California beach town, Oceanside enjoys a rich history as an ideal place to stay and experience California's casual spirit. The city boasts a number of important historical and cultural attractions such as Mission San Luis Rey (The King of Missions), California's longest wooden pier, vintage 101 Café, 1920's era Robert's Cottages, Top Gun House, California Surf Museum and the Oceanside Museum of Art. The city has served as a film location for dozens of Hollywood productions and was once the preferred getaway of many of Hollywood's elite. Bordering Camp Pendleton, Oceanside has long enjoyed a strong relationship with the U.S. military and a deep commitment to the men and women serving the nation. Today, with 3.5 miles of sandy beach, a quaint New England-style harbor and a stellar year-round climate, Oceanside is a highly sought after location for enjoying active pursuits including surfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, bike-riding, skydiving and more.

About Visit Oceanside: To assist with every aspect of visitor travel needs, Oceanside is home to one of the state's official California Welcome Centers and the Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB/California Welcome Center- Oceanside is conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway. For more information, please call (800)350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org