Imagine taking a morning stroll surrounded by  tropical settings of palm trees, birds of paradise, waterfalls, and Koi ponds. Mid day you take a swim in a crystal blue pool and later swim in the ocean.
You enjoy a gorgeous sunset from a deck followed by cocktails in the Jacuzzi.
Sounds like a great vacation in Hawaii or the Caribbean right?
Well, actually, wrong.  We are talking Oceanside,  California at North Coast Village.
I have passed by these condos at least a million times in 25 years living in Oceanside and I have never been inside the complex. I have enjoyed their amazing outside Christmas display in December and admired their landscaping but had never stepped inside the grounds. More than likely it is becuase this is a gated community with 24 hour security.
Even though these condos are privately owned, you can rent them for vacation. Â The listings we checked were only for a full week, but I am sure you can rent them for less. Â We met a mixture of people from Idaho to Wisconsin and all seemed to be enjoying their vacation.
Our two bedroom unit was not upgraded and had some furnishing from the 80’s.  It wasn’t exactly the work from a HGTV designer but cozy nonetheless. It had great ocean views from the patio as well as the master bedroom.  This unit was a little further from the beach but being situated on the third story helped with the views.  Some of the units were right on the beach and rented out for about $3,100 a week for two bedrooms. If you want a fancier place with newer furnishing and upgrades be sure and check the photos for each individual unit.  Reading reviews on NC Village, it was mixed based on what unit you stayed in.
You can find more info here: http://www.northcoastvillage.com.  Also check on air conditioning as ours did not have any.
The wow factor at North Coast Village is the grounds.  As mentioned earlier, you feel like you are in a tropical paradise. The expertly groomed landscaping includes a vast variety of palms as well as flowers, birds of paradise, and waterfalls.
 
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A pond wraps around one area with hundreds of Koi that will greet you for an afternoon snack, so bring your quarters for the food machine.
The sizable pool is surrounded by the same Hawaii like landscaping and the Jacuzzi nearby is tucked into a little nook with tropical plants adorning it too.   At dusk, the lit up pool made an awesome contrast against the oranges and reds of the sunset behind it.
There is a Barbeque area where you can grill while overlooking the pool.
<They also offer a nice sized gym, laundry, men and women’s saunas, a rec room with ping pong and pool, and laundry facilities in a few different areas. They have a few sitting rooms where you can play cards under the waterfall or kick back and read a book, and for you golfers a practice putting green.
If the pristine pool doesn’t entice you, then  walk a few steps to the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  This part of Oceanside doesn’t get very crowded so it is almost like you have your own private beach.
Nearby is the Oceanside Harbor where there are plenty of restaurants and things to do.  Boats, kayaks, and SUP’s are available for rental year round.
Take a leisurely stroll to the pier where you can fish without a license or enjoy the nearby restaurants. You can also rent bikes or surreys.
You are also 30-40 minutes from San Diego depending on traffic.
Honestly I could fill at least 4 days with just hanging out at the complex itself. I swam in the pool, went to the beach, watched the sunset, and relaxed in the Jacuzzi all in one day.
Staycations are about staying around where you live and enjoying what it has to offer. This was another true Staycation as this is my hometown.  However, I felt like I was thousands of miles away in Hawaii.
All I needed was a luau, a ukulele playing sweet Hawaiian music, and a lei around my neck.
I settled for Spaghetti, a Corona, and the sweet smell of the Pacific Ocean. Not a bad place to be.
Staycations California 