Ocean Beach: A Small Community in America's Finest City
By Erik Ljung
11 Aug 2008
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
I live in San Diego, CA. More specifically, I reside in the Ocean Beach community of San Diego. Ocean Beach, more commonly known as "OB", is a sort of bohemian, community based environment. OB is home to many open minded members of the larger San Diego community.
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
Artistic, Bohemian, Hippie, Free-spirited, laid back, community minded, scenic, open minded, self-reliant, environmental, natural, beautiful, democratic
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
I have lived in San Diego for 3 years. I moved to San Diego to attend San Diego State University. I have since graduated and over time slowly migrated from inland toward the ocean. The ocean brought me to OB, but the community vibe kept me there.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
My favorite thing about OB is that it is very community oriented and supports and promotes local small businesses and arts. OB is very much in control of its own culture.
My least favorite part of OB is the parking.
Do you feel that you belong there?
I am surrounded by like minded people in OB. People are more laid back and open minded. It is also important for me to be close to the "great outdoors." I think human beings grow restless living in suburbs, they yearn for something but they don't know what. I believe the ocean relieves some of that pressure, it is a great place to free your mind from the rigors of 9-5. I detest the corporate take over of America. OB is very community oriented and supports local small business, which, I think, is key to maintaining a sense of culture. I think a lot of the homeless in OB couldn't handle the unnecessary pressures of modern society and ended up living a simpler existence as a person of the street in OB. A beautiful place to end up if you don't have the luxury of a roof. There is a great deal of respect for self-expression in all forms in OB. I think too many people feel that they have to control their true desires in order to conform to societal pressures. In OB you can be who you want to be.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
Ocean Beach gets a bad rap for its abundant homeless population. There is a lot of drugs in OB as well, but I have found the street people to be friendly if you treat them like a human being.
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
The most notable "special fact" is that the OB Pier is the longest pier on the West Coast at 1,971 feet in length. However there is a lot of great surf spots to be found in the area as well.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
I love the entire mindset of OB and its natural beauty. There is an endless amount of photo opportunities in OB.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Every Wednesday the community holds a farmers market which closes off a block of the main street and vendors sell everything from jewelry to photography. Live bands and animal rides are also common sights at the farmers market. The community boasts some of the most beautiful and dangerous natural landscapes in San Diego as well. The sunset cliffs are just south of the main drag in OB, and is a cliche sunset watching venue.
