You are probably wondering: there is a Boardwalk in Ocean Beach?
Well, yes-it's about 2 blocks long, but could easily be extended and probably should. Mission Beach Boardwalk may have it's roller-bladers and hot SDSU coeds and Pacific Beach-the drunks and the frat boys (same thing) but we got the priceless OB vibe! Though nothing to make the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach Boardwalks worry about, our little OB path is pretty cool and certainly colorful!
Lounging on the perimeter along the way can be found assorted drug-dealers, Rasta's with dreadlocks, misguided musicians with guitars, drug-dealers, barefoot hippie females, drug-dealers, tourists, and the ever-present homeless! Did I already mention drug-dealers? Once in a while, there will pass a hapless homie such as myself-on bike or foot. Then there are always the surfers.
Start at the foot of the Ocean Beach Pier-in the parking lot below Niagara Avenue. That is where the Boardwalk runs along the Beach heading north and past the foot of Newport Avenue. I was there today admiring the somewhat shabby (but chic) OB Christmas Tree-decorated with hanging beach balls! Wishing I had my camera, I got to thinking: there absolutely needs to be a straight path line from this vantage point-all the way down to Dog Beach-which is the official hook-up entrance to the San Diego River Bike Path. This would assure a safe pedestrian continuity -from Mission Valley and points east and also from the beach communities to the north-into Ocean Beach proper.
Along Abbott Street, and past the dead end of Newport Avenue, the "Boardwalk" stops in the Santa Monica Ave. Lifeguard Station parking lot. It simply dead ends at the showers and parking lot. There is a dirt alley that runs along Saratoga Avenue Park-that could technically be made into a continuation of the OB Boardwalk and that dirt path runs along the beach and in front of some cottages. It ends up at the Brighton Avenue entrance to North OB parking lot.
It is my wish that somehow, someday, and in some way, the city could acquire or condemn-excuse me, set-aside an Empowerment
Zone of beach frontage running from the Santa Monica Ave. parking lot north to North OB parking lot where a Boardwalk could continue along North Ocean Beach onto the entrance of Dog Beach. This would also be an official bike trial that would link the San Diego River Bike Path to Ocean Beach proper, and further on to Sunset Cliffs and beyond.
Perhaps this is just another one of my pipe dreams, but the 2 block OB Boardwalk will just have to suffice for now. Don't forget to go check out the Christmas Tree mounted in the sand with the awesome beach ball ornaments! Who said you need snow to get into the spirit of the season? read more