Ocean Beach, San Diego: Difference between revisions
Revert to revision 95350857 dated 2006-12-19 18:38:27 by 204.120.167.32 using popups |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{cleanup-cliche|[[Hippie]]s}} |
{{cleanup-cliche|[[Hippie]]s}} |
||
[[Image:Sunset_pier.jpg|thumb|The Ocean Beach Pier at sunset]] |
[[Image:Sunset_pier.jpg|thumb|The Ocean Beach Pier at sunset]] |
||
'''Ocean Beach''' (also known as '''O.B.''') is a beachfront neighborhood of [[San Diego, California]]. |
|||
'''Ocean Beach''' (also known as '''O.B.''') is a beachfront neighborhood of [[San Diego, California]], known for its openmindedness and fierce independence. Comprised of an eclectic mix of [[Surfing|surfers]], [[Punk subculture|punks]], [[biker]]s, [[Granola#"Granola" as slang|granolas]], and [[Family|families]], few things are not tolerated. Some things likely to upset the locals are excessive displays of wealth, [[poseur]]s, money hungry [[Real estate broker|real estate folks]], arrogance, greed, and disrespectful non-native San Diegans. Many consider Ocean Beach the last bastion for native San Diegans adamant about protecting the character of the city and having an affordable place to call their own. With a large population of [[Renting|renters]], the recent trend in [[Condo Conversion]]s and a lack of [[affordable housing]] is threatening to force out the very soul of the community and in the process has angered many members of the community. |
|||
It is located south of [[Mission Bay]] and [[Mission Beach, California|Mission Beach]] and west of [[downtown]] on the [[Pacific Ocean]] at the western terminus of [[Interstate 8]]. |
It is located south of [[Mission Bay]] and [[Mission Beach, California|Mission Beach]] and west of [[downtown]] on the [[Pacific Ocean]] at the western terminus of [[Interstate 8]]. |
||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
== Economy == |
== Economy == |
||
In [[2001]], [[Starbucks]] bought property within the community, creating a tremendous uproar among the citizens, who considered the move a direct attack on several [[Small business|mom and pop]], individually owned, small scale [[Coffeehouse|coffee shop]]s already in place. Shortly after this event the historic, single-screen movie house The Strand was converted into a Wings, an east coast chain store selling beach apparel. To this day, patrons of either establishment are castigated by the long-time citizens of the community. Locals highly encourage the boycott of Starbucks and patronage of local non-chain coffee shops. |
|||
Despite these corporate encroachments, the economy of Ocean Beach is still dominated by small independent businesses. |
|||
With a limited number of liquor licenses, several of the existing bars (Sunshine Company, South Beach, Nick's) have begun leveraging their existing licenses by creating mega-bars that cater to people outside the community and create tension within the community. Many of the neighborhood establishments (Arizona's, South Beach, Bullfrogs, Qwigg's) have either been bought out or succumbed to the temptation of making lots of money at the expense of the community. Additionally, John Small, a Virginia Beach native now living in Point Loma, has been actively acquiring local bars (Sunshine Company, Arizona, Tony's, Nick's, and most recently Bullfrogs). Mr Small has a reputation of transforming local, somewhat run down but affordable bars into large scale sportbars charging significantly higher prices. His recent acquisitions have sparked talks about monopolistic practices in the Ocean Beach Bar industry. |
|||
{{POV-check}} |
{{POV-check}} |
||
Revision as of 03:28, 26 December 2006
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
 | This Hippies may be too technical for most readers to understand. |
Ocean Beach (also known as O.B.) is a beachfront neighborhood of San Diego, California.
It is located south of Mission Bay and Mission Beach and west of downtown on the Pacific Ocean at the western terminus of Interstate 8.
Ocean Beach houses two schools (Ocean Beach Elementary and Sacred Heart Academy), multiple churches, and a public library. The main street of business is Newport Avenue, with the eastern blocks dominated by a large number of antique stores. Notable local organizations include the Ocean Beach Town Council, the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association, and the Kiwanis Club of Ocean Beach. Major local events include the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cookoff in late June, the Ocean Beach Christmas Parade in early December, and the Ocean Beach Kite Festival on the first Saturday of March.
The Ocean Beach Pier, built in 1966, is the longest on the West Coast of the United States, measuring 1971 feet.
The northern end of OB's waterfront is known as Dog Beach, alongside the emptying San Diego River. It has been set aside specifically for leash-free pets and their owners.
Recently, there has been a controversial movement within the community to close Newport Avenue to vehicle traffic from Bacon Street to the beach. The move would promote more walking, biking, and skateboarding and reinforce West Newport as the community center. Opponents to the idea are some local businesses who cater to patrons outside of Ocean Beach. These patrons would find it more difficult to locate parking.
History
Ocean Beach was given its name by developers Billy Carlson and Frank Higgins in 1887. They opened a real estate firm Carlson & Higgins and proceeded to develop Ocean Beach.
They developed the Cliff House Hotel and subdivided the area into lots. The development did not do well because it was 2 1/2 hours from downtown San Diego by carriage. They rented a locomotive, but by that time, in 1888, the boom ended and the development put on hold. Higgins' partner committed suicide and the Cliff House burned from a fallen chandelier in 1898. Carlson sold the Ocean Beach development to an Eastern financier and its development would wait another 20 years when permanent rail service arrived.
Earlier names for Ocean Beach include Mussel Beach, Mussel Beds, Medanos (Spanish for 'dunes'), Palmer's Place/Ranch, and Palmiro's. Many locals refer to Ocean Beach simply as OB.
The northern end of Ocean Beach was once dominated in the early 20th century by the Wonderland Amusement Park. Eventually Wonderland was razed and turned into a mostly residential neighborhood.
| The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
Economy
| The neutrality of this article is disputed. |