| Ocean Beach, San Diego, California |
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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 Surfers , Punks , Biker s, Granolas , Intellectuals , and Families , few things are not tolerated. Ocean Beach has a reputation as a community that dislikes excessive displays of wealth, Poseur s, money hungry Real Estate Folks , arrogance, greed, and disrespectful behavior. 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 Renters , the trend in the early part of the 21st century of Condo Conversion s and a lack of Affordable Housing has angered many members of the community. 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 three schools (Ocean Beach Elementary, Sacred Heart Academy, and Warren Walker), multiple churches, an international hostel, 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. In 2006, there was a controversial movement within the community to close Newport Avenue to vehicle traffic from Bacon Street to the beach. Those suggesting the idea claim it would promote more walking, biking, and skateboarding and reinforce West Newport as the community center. Opponents to the idea (mainly some of the local businesses) have expressed concern that their patrons from outside of Ocean Beach would find it more difficult to locate parking. Many consider the previous complaint unfounded because the community sacrifices just as many parking spaces every Wednesday when a block of Newport avenue is closed off for the farmers market and the local businesses have more customers. 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. ECONOMY In the 1990's and early 2000's numerous chain businesses moved into Ocean Beach. However, the economy of Ocean Beach is primarily 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 expanding their facilities. Many locals consider these new "mega-bars" as problematic because they seem to cater to people outside the O.B. community. Many of the neighborhood establishments (Arizona's, South Beach, Bullfrogs, Qwigg's) have either been bought out or have closed. As of 2006, John Small, a Virginia Beach native living in Point Loma, has been actively acquiring local bars (Sunshine Company, Arizona, Tony's, Nick's). Mr. Small has a reputation of transforming local, somewhat run down but affordable bars into large scale sports bars charging significantly higher prices. His acquisitions have sparked talks about monopolistic practices by some in the Ocean Beach Bar industry. In 2001 , Starbucks rented property within the community. A grassroots effort attempted to block Starbucks from opening in Ocean Beach, including printing bumper stickers that read "No Corporate Whores On O.B. Shores." Shortly after that, the historic, single-screen movie house The Strand Theatre -- which opened to screen talkies in 1924 in the middle of town -- was converted into a Wings, an East Coast chain selling beach apparel. in 1977, The Strand was the only venue in San Diego showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show , a “midnight movie” where the admission was just $1.25.[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20030317-9999_1m17theater.html The theater was designated a historic building by the San Diego Historical Resources Board in December 2003. 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. EXTERNAL LINKS
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