Things To Do In Oceanside

At Mattuci Winery, "The Thief" isn't a local marauder––it's a libation, a classic bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and malbec. Marked by blackberry and cedar flavors, the blend is just one of the winery's vintages, each of which start as Bordeaux and California fruit varietals. But before they're ready to be bottled or used as alcohol-infused lipgloss, the wines are carefully aged, each spending between 15 and 24 months in an oak barrel.

Whether by kayak or stand-up paddle-board, by wind-steered sailboats or motorized boats, Oceanside Boat Rentals gets its clients off the land and into the Pacific. The quaint harbor area features plenty of scenery to chew on and attractions to visit. Couples can steer a double kayak out into the lagoon and lunch while gazing at Camp Pendleton's beachfront, or opt for an electric boat and cruise further into the Pacific waters. Oceanside also offers SeaDoo rentals for speed and sport, six-passenger powerboat rentals, and pedal boat rentals for vacationing cyclists.

Each arena at The Paintball Park brings in fresh equipment every season to keep paintballers on their toes. Barricades, bunkers, trenches, and heavy brush provide ample cover for firing off shots at opponents, ducking from overhead fire, or meeting to discuss how to get the pizza-delivery man into the fortress unharmed. Games of elimination battles give players a chance to take out the other team while sprinting between the wreckage of tanks and helicopters.

Each of the Paintball Park's paintball fields has a distinct feel. Running beneath dinosaur sculptures lends to a carefree sensation, and trying to find an entrance in endless, gray castle walls evokes the sense that one is an ancient warrior who left his keys somewhere.

Featured in the North County Times for its spree of upgrades in recent years, the 6,450-yard, par-72 Oceanside Golf Course sits nestled among natural streams and marshes on the outskirts of Camp Pendleton. Swingers can send their pocked spheres swimming through the air over rolling hills, down tree-lined straight shots, and straight through the Sandman living in the hazards. Surrounded by distant rising hills and the sights of the San Luis Rey Valley, putters can cruise along the course in the rental cart immersed in the tranquility of the verdant setting. Buyers of today's Groupon can prepare for future club-toting endeavors by swinging by the Pro Shop for 20% off golfing merchandise, or by turning their neighbor's lawn into a putting green.

When you can hear the gentle whoosh of the tides from your backyard, it's impossible to ignore the ocean's calling. What's Up Stand Up Paddleboard Surf Company happily embraces the calm Pacific waters that backdrop their three locations, beckoning passersby to hop on their standup paddleboards and skim across Mother Nature's aquatic playground. Each location's tranquil water conditions are ideal for visitors to learn and enjoy the paddle-powered sport, which situates riders atop paddleboards, where they'll propel themselves with paddles. Standup paddleboarding not only strengthens an array of muscles but can also bring paddlers up close to the area's wildlife, which may include dolphins and sea lions.

Missus Potts specializes in funneling creativity through the fingertips. In an airy purple and turquoise room, families can gather their supplies and unleash their imaginations on a piece of pottery. Tall bookshelves support a selection of plates, mugs, flowerpots, and figurines. Artists grab their favorite piece, find a spot at a table, and let the 70 available paint colors flow, drawing everything from lost Picassos to storybook scenes onto their 3D canvases. When the artwork is complete, a studio worker will fire the clay piece, encasing it in a hardened glaze to ensure the paint lasts as long as it is cherished.