Good morning, Oceanside! In today’s edition: County fair ticket deal, a surfer’s remarkable recovery, a starry paint and sip, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Fairytale fun awaits you: The San Diego County Fair is offering a limited-time New Year deal on four tickets and two parking tickets for this summer. The Once Upon a Fair theme celebrates storytelling — get all the details.

A remarkable recovery journey: Three months after a near-death Oceanside surfing accident left him temporarily paralyzed, Scott Muir is walking again and back in the water after a quick rescue and emergency spinal fusion — read the full story.

First-of-its-kind beach initiative: Oceanside’s Sand Toy Borrow Box, created by Girl Scouts and Surfrider San Diego, is helping prevent plastic pollution. Installed in 2025, it offers reusable sand toys for beachgoers — read the full story.

Higher pay, higher prices?: San Diego’s minimum wage rose to $17.75 on the first day of the year, with tourism workers set for higher rates by mid-2026, though workers say it is not enough — see what’s changing by 2026.

Farmers Market @ Mira Costa College | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Grab your tote and amble to Cardiff-by-the-Sea’s farmers market for peak produce, hot coffee, and neighbor sightings you can’t avoid. It is curated, not chaotic, with local farms, fresh breads, and flowers that make your kitchen look intentional. Saturday mornings done right — see the event listing.

Harbor safety plans shift: Federal officials dropped plans for an emergency dredge at Oceanside Harbor after surveys found the channel navigable. Maintenance dredging could be awarded in early March, but the shoal remains hazardous — get details on the timeline.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📖 Discovery Stories @ READS Learning Center | Tuesday (1/13) at 11:00 AM – This welcoming workshop helps adults build English, reading, and writing skills with zero judgment, plenty of interaction, and real-life practice. Because autocorrect can only carry you so far. Expect patient guidance, useful tips, and a low-pressure vibe, then leave a little prouder.

🎨 Starry Winter Sky – Paint and Sip @ Stone Brewing Tap Room | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Winter nights in Oceanside call for brushes, vino, and pretending we remember art class. Paint a starry winter sky, spill a little, laugh a lot, and leave with a canvas you will actually hang, or at least brag about at brunch.

🆚 Oceanside Pirates vs Mission Vista Timberwolves @ Oceanside High School | Wednesday (1/14) – Take a break from streaming and catch a crosstown JV basketball doubleheader as Oceanside’s Pirates face Mission Vista’s Timberwolves, boys and girls. Expect squeaky sneakers, proud parents, and a surprisingly competitive barnburner, plus the snack bar that still takes cash, and memories of pep rallies.

🍽 January Luncheon: New Year, New Impact @ Shadowridge Golf Club | Wednesday (1/14) at 11:30 AM – Kick off the year with a lunch that counts, no awkward icebreakers required. NCWIN is revealing which local nonprofits get the 2026 funding, all about empowering women, strengthening families, and lifting North County, and real ways to plug in, reconnect, and start strong.

🧹 Litter Cleanup @ Martin Luther King, Jr. Park | Thursday (1/15) at 3:00 PM – I Love A Clean San Diego and Green Oceanside are rallying the neighborhood for a litter cleanup, scooping trash from streets, storm drains, and watersheds before it vacations in the Pacific. It’s time well spent, lighter on small talk, heavier on impact, and decent cardio.

🎸 Haala @ Coyote Bar & Grill | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – At Coyote Bar & Grill, HAALA rolls out the hits you actually know, from Journey, Blondie, and Fleetwood Mac to Zeppelin, Petty, and more. Sing along, chair-groove, or claim the dance floor, your call. Strong vocals, tight guitar, and a rhythm section with a pulse.

🛡 Greg Doud Protection Workshop @ Oceanside Equestrian Center | Friday (1/16) at 9:00 AM – Dog folks, sharpen your eye in Oceanside as Greg Doud breaks down real IGP protection work, minus the YouTube bravado. Working spots are gone, but you can audit for $50 a day, learn a ton, and feel smugly prepared. Email [email protected] to snag a seat.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Oceanside report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 65°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Northeast wind 0 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. North wind 0 to 10 mph.

Most popular house this week

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Exterior paint, improved landscaping, and a modernized garage door boost curb appeal. The backyard offers rare privacy with no rear neighbors. A smart irrigation system adjusts to weather. Shopping, dining, schools, and commuter routes sit close by.

Take a peek inside →