Burrito Beach

Not all hidden treasures are silver and gold. Sometimes a breakfast burrito on the beach will do just fine. X marks the spot at Buccaneer Beach in Oceanside, a city known for its chill vibe, gnarly waves, and stellar sand. Get all three along with free parking (aargh you kidding me?!) and a tortilla-wrapped meal just across the road.

After snagging a parking spot, check out Buccaneer Beach Park for a basketball workout or a walk along Loma Alta Creek near the coastal train tracks. That burrito treasure is at Buccaneer Cafe, a local shack with friendly staff, tasty morning fare, and drinks for your caffeine fix. Enjoy shaded seating on-site or head for the sand and grab a home base for the day, next to resident seagulls and sandpipers.

Though the beach is small, it rarely feels crowded. A lifeguard is on duty, so you can boldly take that boogie board to the big breaks. When the tide is low, walk along the rocks and beach houses north toward the Oceanside Pier (just under 2 miles away) or south toward St. Malo Beach to enjoy some French Normandy architecture. About a mile south, the Buena Vista Lagoon cuts the sand, but the adventurous can cross it, thus leaving Oceanside and entering Carlsbad, and more pristine beach.

To get to the Buccaneer Beach parking lot, take I-5 south and exit at Cassidy St. Head west for 0.7 mile and turn right on Myers St., following the coastal railroad. In 0.5 mile, the parking lot will be on your right. If coming from the south, exit Vista Way off the I-5 (exit 51C) and head west, turning right on S. Coast Hwy., which runs into Cassidy St. after two blocks. Turn left on Cassidy and then right on Myers St. In 0.5-mile, the parking lot will be on your right. No dogs on the beach.