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Oceanside availability question

gstepic

TUG Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
607
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2
Location
Albuquerque New Mexico
I am thinking of purchasing a Worldmark membership mainly for visiting Oceanside, as well as Pagosa Springs. I live in Albuquerque and regularly go to San Diego for a get a way. I love just hanging out by the ocean even though I rarely get in ocean. From looking at videos I think I would enjoy Oceanside. My worry is that it may be extremely difficult to book due to being a popular place. I have no problem booking a year early or traveling during non summer times. I know Oceanside is a red category all year, but my hope is I can usually book around late March (I would love to see the flower fields in Carlsbad). Would it be extremely difficult to book Oceanside even if booked a year in advance or during non summer times?
 
I don't know about availability but the best time to visit Oceanside is in the fall after all the summer crowds have left, and kids are back in school. The best 2 months weather wise are Sept. & Oct. with practically zero rain, and clear warm days.

While there won't be much rain in March, we certainly get some, and it is cooler and less predictable. If others were planning on going in the water, March is full wetsuit temps.
 
I just like being by the water, not in it. What I am hoping is Oceanside can be my Europe substitute. I love all the outdoor cafes and restaurants for people watching. I also love places to eat or drink right by any body of water. I have enjoyed San Diego as a get a way as well as Hermosa Beach. A lot to do in San Diego but not easy to be by ocean unless going to areas like Pacific Beach. From videos I think Oceanside could tick some boxes for me and it seems easy enough to get to and from San Diego.
 
As long as you book at 13 months for Oceanside, it is very easy to book. Note that this is not right on the pier like they Wyndham property. You have to walk through a somewhat unpleasant carpark to get to the beach.
 
I am thinking of purchasing a Worldmark membership mainly for visiting Oceanside, as well as Pagosa Springs. I live in Albuquerque and regularly go to San Diego for a get a way. I love just hanging out by the ocean even though I rarely get in ocean. From looking at videos I think I would enjoy Oceanside. My worry is that it may be extremely difficult to book due to being a popular place. I have no problem booking a year early or traveling during non summer times. I know Oceanside is a red category all year, but my hope is I can usually book around late March (I would love to see the flower fields in Carlsbad). Would it be extremely difficult to book Oceanside even if booked a year in advance or during non summer times?

@gstepic

*These are all available dates for March/April 2026, available right now at WM...

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*These are unit types & WM credits required for 3/28 through 4/4 (Saturday-Saturday):

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*These are the currently available FREE WM TS on TSN: two 10k annual WM credits and a 7k WM credit, for free.
No need to 'buy' as in paying someone (like I did).
I bought on eBay; got on the hook for the MFs the day I 'bought' although the transfer took > 6 months for Phase 1 transfer (change of ownership name etc), although I am still waiting, at >8 months for the 'saved credits' to transfer to me. Not nice.
So, get these freebies, so you do NOT pay a penny until it transfers to you.
Wish I knew this when I bought, but oh well.
PS: Wish the WM forum on TUG was as nice & helpful as the HGVC forum... (Love the HGVC forum here at TUG & grateful to all of them!)

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Very helpful. It is ridiculous how long it takes to transfer a membership. I am certain this is on purpose from Wyndham to discourage resale as opposed to retail. I have already planned for 2026. I booked an Airbnb for myself, my son and his family next July in Oceanside. I plan on Oceanside or San Diego late March but my thinking is by the time all goes through there may be nothing available. I am thinking if I buy now I will not be able to use my 2026 points, so I probably should sit tight for the rest of this year and be on the hunt early 2026. My hope is if I am patient there will be other free properties. Although I am tempted to start with a 10000 point one now. If I were to buy another 10000 credit membership would I be able to combine them down the road to save on MFs?
 
Very helpful. It is ridiculous how long it takes to transfer a membership. I am certain this is on purpose from Wyndham to discourage resale as opposed to retail. I have already planned for 2026. I booked an Airbnb for myself, my son and his family next July in Oceanside. I plan on Oceanside or San Diego late March but my thinking is by the time all goes through there may be nothing available. I am thinking if I buy now I will not be able to use my 2026 points, so I probably should sit tight for the rest of this year and be on the hunt early 2026. My hope is if I am patient there will be other free properties. Although I am tempted to start with a 10000 point one now. If I were to buy another 10000 credit membership would I be able to combine them down the road to save on MFs?
Yes, can combine membership.
See @easyrider 's & others journeys; some bumps but will work out longer-term.
Oceanside does not have a TOT/TAT, so no-brainer (OR/WA locations & HI etc do charge TOT/TAT)
You can still use your 2026 WM credits (& likely 2025 credits, if saved, depending on month they are awarded etc. If your contract awards credits in July, the July 2025 credits, if saved, will be available for you to use until July 2026, which can be booked for a reservation until August 2027...)
WM is a nice system, once you are in it..
And, agree, intentionally bumpy to encourage Retail purchase.
But, if picking up a freebie, no rush for you as you pay nothing ntil the xfr occurs.
For me, I was on the hook for the MFs from the date of signing contract from the eBay seller. Not nice.
 
I have been checking google maps to get an idea how far it is to walk to the pier, harbor, and other places. I think there is a shuttle I can use for other end of town, and buses of course. I love San Diego and I know for seniors it is cheap to use the train to get there and back. I think I will really like Oceanside.
 
WorldMark publishes a Vacant Night Report that’s helpful to see how many vacant rooms per resort per month. Also breaks it down by weekend and weekdays.

Although I haven’t stayed at Oceanside, It looks like you’d have most flexibility Nov through April (no real surprise there), and would want to book summer months 13 months out, or utilize the waitlist as soon as possible for your travel dates.
 
I have been checking google maps to get an idea how far it is to walk to the pier, harbor, and other places. I think there is a shuttle I can use for other end of town, and buses of course. I love San Diego and I know for seniors it is cheap to use the train to get there and back. I think I will really like Oceanside.
It is fairly close to the beach. Easy walk or can park closer with paid parking. Clean, safe place (not a dump).
Yes, can take the Coaster train to get to SD
 
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It is fairly close to the pier/harbor etc. Easy walk or can park closer with paid parking. Clean, safe place (not a dump).
Yes, can take the Coaster train to get to SD
The Worldmark Oceanside is located just east of the harbor, not near the pier. The harbor is a bit from the pier. It is almost a 11/2 mile walk from the TS to the pier. That may be easy for some, not for others.
 
It is fairly close to the pier/harbor etc. Easy walk or can park closer with paid parking. Clean, safe place (not a dump).
Yes, can take the Coaster train to get to SD
It's from whose perspective of course. In our case we find it unpleasant to walk through the carpark to the harbor. We actually just divested from our 35K contract because we can no longer deal with the lower quality WM resorts and terrible WM Oceanside front desk folks when compared to MVC standards. We just stayed at Oceanside for 3 weeks this summer and that was it for us.
 
Plenty of "Free" Wyndham Points contracts on TUG's Timeshare Marketplace and there is plenty of availability Spring and Fall at the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort which is across from the beach, near the pier, and in the action of Downtown Oceanside. I suggest doing research on which deals may make sense for you points and maintenance fee wise if you are interested.

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It's from whose perspective of course. In our case we find it unpleasant to walk through the carpark to the harbor. We actually just divested from our 35K contract because we can no longer deal with the lower quality WM resorts and terrible WM Oceanside front desk folks when compared to MVC standards. We just stayed at Oceanside for 3 weeks this summer and that was it for us.
Are you talking about the marina overflow lot between the Worldmark and train tracks? What do you find so unpleasant about it? Something beyond that it is a parking lot? We've parked there numerous times, and it is just a normal parking lot (aka carpark).
 
Are you talking about the marina overflow lot between the Worldmark and train tracks? What do you find so unpleasant about it? Something beyond that it is a parking lot? We've parked there numerous times, and it is just a normal parking lot (aka carpark).
Agree, it is a clean parking lot.
There are many RVs parked there & likely over the summer, may be lots of folks parking there, as it is free parking vs those closer to the beach/harbor/pier...
 
It's from whose perspective of course. In our case we find it unpleasant to walk through the carpark to the harbor. We actually just divested from our 35K contract because we can no longer deal with the lower quality WM resorts and terrible WM Oceanside front desk folks when compared to MVC standards. We just stayed at Oceanside for 3 weeks this summer and that was it for us.

*MVC's MFs are substantially higher than WM & HGVC, for sure.

*I have not stayed at WM Oceanside personally but did stop by to visit & walked from there to the beach (fairly easy walk)...
I own HGVC & stay at HGVC Carlsbad locations all the time & love the properties/staff there (can't comment on staff at WM Oceanside).
I have stayed at WM Pinetop & Estes Park and loved both the resorts & their staff.

*HGVC xfr is MUCH faster than WM/Wyndham, so def a better system, in that regard but MFs are higher usually for HGVC for same unit type.
+ Free reservations, free HK & GC with basic peasant level WM membership vs significant fees on HGVC side, so YMMV...

Club Wyndham has higher MFs & lots more nuances than WM, which is a simple club membership, same MFs for same tier level (vs difft for difft deeds /loxns etc), contractually limited MF increase to <5% per yr etc but pls do your own due diligence...

@rickandcindy23 are Wyndham experts & may share their insights on Wyndham, WM, MVC (as they are owners in all & veterans in this space)..

TY!
 
The Worldmark Oceanside is located just east of the harbor, not near the pier. The harbor is a bit from the pier. It is almost a 11/2 mile walk from the TS to the pier. That may be easy for some, not for others.
Sorry, I meant the 'beach', not the pier; updated my post above.
Thx for correcting :)!
 
Worldmark vs Wyndham Oceanside: based on your comments, I suspect you might be better off with Wyndham.
The WM is north of the river. Walking from there to the pier is possible, but not all that pleasant. You could certainly uber/lyft it, but why not stay where you want to be?
The WM is between the railroad tracks and the freeway so noise is an issue. The units are good sized and comfortable, but bring your earplugs.
You walk down through a separate parking lot, through a tunnel under the RR tracks to the Harbor. Left past some small shops to sand and right around the harbor to watch the boats. Keep going and you will end up at Marina Inn; VI (Vacation International) has some units there. It's right on the tip of the harbor for fabulous views of the boats coming in and out etc.
Wyndham: is right by the pier. If you want to walk the pier/beach/shops in town, this is the spot. The train to San Diego would be easier to access with the stations just a couple blocks away. The RR tracks are in back so those units will have noise. We stayed on the other side and could hear the train as well. The train tracks are an issue anywhere along the coast, so take that into consideration.

For San Diego stays, as a WM owner, I used Oceanside as a day or two stay to tide me over between exchanges. Mostly, I preferred to stay at the Four Seasons in Carlsbad or even the Welk/Hyatt in Escondido (back when I could get a 2 BR there for a couple hundred bucks with the old XYZ program, but I digress about the good old days...). FSA isn't on the beach, but it was very comfortable and the trains are too far away to wake you up. We were always there in Jan/Feb when there was plenty of availability. Also, traffic on I-5 between Oceanside and San Diego is awful. Check the trains to see if they run when you want, or just look at one of the San Diego resorts and be where you want to be rather than sit in traffic etc.

You also mentioned Pagosa Springs. Most of that inventory is Wyndham. They dumped some lesser units into WM and have remodeled some, but Wyndham is the better option for that location as well.
 
Worldmark vs Wyndham Oceanside: based on your comments, I suspect you might be better off with Wyndham.
The WM is north of the river. Walking from there to the pier is possible, but not all that pleasant. You could certainly uber/lyft it, but why not stay where you want to be?
The WM is between the railroad tracks and the freeway so noise is an issue. The units are good sized and comfortable, but bring your earplugs.
You walk down through a separate parking lot, through a tunnel under the RR tracks to the Harbor. Left past some small shops to sand and right around the harbor to watch the boats. Keep going and you will end up at Marina Inn; VI (Vacation International) has some units there. It's right on the tip of the harbor for fabulous views of the boats coming in and out etc.
Wyndham: is right by the pier. If you want to walk the pier/beach/shops in town, this is the spot. The train to San Diego would be easier to access with the stations just a couple blocks away. The RR tracks are in back so those units will have noise. We stayed on the other side and could hear the train as well. The train tracks are an issue anywhere along the coast, so take that into consideration.

For San Diego stays, as a WM owner, I used Oceanside as a day or two stay to tide me over between exchanges. Mostly, I preferred to stay at the Four Seasons in Carlsbad or even the Welk/Hyatt in Escondido (back when I could get a 2 BR there for a couple hundred bucks with the old XYZ program, but I digress about the good old days...). FSA isn't on the beach, but it was very comfortable and the trains are too far away to wake you up. We were always there in Jan/Feb when there was plenty of availability. Also, traffic on I-5 between Oceanside and San Diego is awful. Check the trains to see if they run when you want, or just look at one of the San Diego resorts and be where you want to be rather than sit in traffic etc.

You also mentioned Pagosa Springs. Most of that inventory is Wyndham. They dumped some lesser units into WM and have remodeled some, but Wyndham is the better option for that location as well.

*Or HGVC Carlsbad locations (3 of them; all excellent) by getting a resale HGVC deed

(Excellent points re location, train, I-5 etc, @sue1947 !).

HGVC GPP & MarBrisa are close to I-5, yet tucked away, to avoid immediate noise, fwiw...

HGVC/Carlsbad Seapointe has a train track right behind it; but right next to the beach etc...
 
If you’re staying at WM Oceanside look into using Circuit. They charge $3 per person or $6 per group and they’ll take you around Oceanside. We used them a lot in San Diego Gaslamp District. They’re electric golf carts and you use an app to request a ride.

 
If you’re staying at WM Oceanside look into using Circuit. They charge $3 per person or $6 per group and they’ll take you around Oceanside. We used them a lot in San Diego Gaslamp District. They’re electric golf carts and you use an app to request a ride.


Wow! Never knew! Will look into it!

PS: Looks like they just closed SD :-(

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*Or HGVC Carlsbad locations (3 of them; all excellent) by getting a resale HGVC deed

(Excellent points re location, train, I-5 etc, @sue1947 !).

HGVC GPP & MarBrisa are close to I-5, yet tucked away, to avoid immediate noise, fwiw...

HGVC/Carlsbad Seapointe has a train track right behind it; but right next to the beach etc...
Carlsbad might be a good option. There are 2 timeshares in town overlooking the beach while also with shops etc to wander through. The Tamarack and Carlsbad Inn; I haven't stayed at either and don't know anything about them other than to drive by and look them over for possible future trades.
The HGVC ones are all good options.
 
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