community planning area comprises about 1 square mile (742 acres),[1] bounded on the north by the San Diego River, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Froude St., Seaside St. and West Point Loma Boulevard, and on the south by Adair Street.

[2] Prior to European contact, the Kumeyaay people inhabited Ocean Beach and had established the fishing encampment of Hapai.

To promote their subdivision, Carlson and Higgins organized various activities, including mussel roasts and concerts.

[7] Passengers could take a ferry from San Diego to Roseville in Point Loma to ride the train to the Cliff House.

Later, Higgins committed suicide, and a fire started by a fallen chandelier burnt down the Cliff House in 1898.

Carlson sold the Ocean Beach tract to an Eastern financier, delaying its development for 20 years.

Most of that land became Cleator Community Park (a ballfield), Correia Middle School (originally named Collier Junior High School), a YMCA and a church; a small remnant at Greene and Soto streets is still called Collier Park.

[9] The northern end of Ocean Beach was dominated in the early 20th century by the Wonderland Amusement Park, which opened on July 4, 1913 and was constructed on eight oceanfront acres at Voltaire and Abbott streets.

Some of the bungalows built as tourist accommodations atop the cliffs on either side of Niagara Avenue are still in use as businesses and homes.

“Thousands of jobs were eliminated when breweries, distilleries, and saloons were shut down.”[18] Their goal was to strengthen families to end up ruining the economy.

[citation needed] The Black headshop opened on Newport Avenue, as well as the Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market.

Designated city historic landmark buildings are the Ocean Beach Library and Strand Theater.

It was partially reopened in May of that year, but its long-term future was uncertain; a 2019 report said the pier had suffered significant deterioration and reached "the end of its useful life".

That winter it suffered severe damage during a storm and the city subsequently announced plans to demolish and replace it with a new design based on community input.

[32] In 1969, Hodad's opened on Newport, gaining national attention in 2007 after appearing on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

[34] In 2001, an organized grassroots effort attempted unsuccessfully to block Starbucks from opening a coffee shop in Ocean Beach.

[36] Residents of Ocean Beach often refer to themselves as "OBceans" or "OBecians," which is pronounced "oh-BEE-shun" (although the proper spelling is a matter of dispute).

The community also features multiple churches, a public library, a U.S. post office, and a vegetarian food co-op.

[39] Ocean Beach and adjacent Point Loma are home to a sizable population of feral parrots and their offspring.

On multiple occasions, heavy surf at the cove has swept people out into the water, causing injuries and deaths.