Buddy Todd Park — Attraction in Oceanside

Originating in 1929 as Oceanside's oldest public park, it arose from its exquisitely beautiful hilltop oasis with a vista of the Pacific Ocean and a hint of the Camp Pendleton foothills to the north.

Today's mature shade trees must have been planted in the 1930s as a Great Depression project. Mysterious boulders were scattered around, willy-nilly, on which to sit and meditate, or just hide behind. Other sections, including a great lawn, are used for athletic games, for kite flying, and for frisbee games with dogs. There are plenty of benches for the lazy, the infirm, and the poets. Plus exhausted parents with babies and toddlers, of whom there are A LOT.

It's simply a superb family & dog scene. A flat, winding jogging trail runs along the BT Park perimeter, with the Pacific Ocean in sight. About the jogging trail, it was decided to keep vehicles off the track and open it to the public to enjoy as part of the park landscape. In the late 1940s, the park was renamed from Mt. Parnassus Park to Buddy Todd Park, in honor of Oceanside's first resident to be killed in World War 2.

In short, Buddy Todd an extraordinary nature preserve! My personal favorite scene is the carpets of white-and-pink AFRICAN DAISIES which glorify the hillsides along the trail entrance in the early spring.

Updating to July 2021, I have noticed that the TRASH CANS are no longer big enough for public needs, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when people are seeking refuge from infection in healthy OUTDOOR sanctuaries like Oceanside's unique hilltop Buddy Todd Park, from which, incidentally, great inspirational sunsets can light up the sky over the ocean.

🌳🌹🌲🐦🐺 THIS PARK IS AN OCEANSIDE T-R-E-A-S-U-R-E, AND EVERY ASPECT OF IT SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. One serious change is for minor makeovers to the WOMEN'S RESTROOM to meet public-health standards. It is already well ventilated, but it needs such amenities as liquid soap, warm water, and paper towels, since blow driers are not effective on the job. A compassionate update to FEMALE NEEDS of the modern era would be a free tampon/pad dispenser. These are all basic INFRASTRUCTURE measures to be taken seriously and with humanity during this time of deadly disease.

The playground is a well-designed kiddie scene. Challenging but safe, and the little ones obviously love it and run their hearts out on it..

My personal favorite is the child-size TRAIN CARS, though many grownups squeeze themselves in. The train doesn't go anywhere except in our imaginations.

Best of all are sights of the HAPPY DOGS on leash who I believe must worship Budd Todd as their Dog Paradise Temple on Earth.

This rapturously beautiful hilltop park with ocean views and ancient trees cries out for sensitive maintenance to accommodate the needs of all the ages and genders and physical abilities of NATURE LOVERS an ESCAPISTS who are thriving in this piece of Heaven.

BUDDY TODD PARK is Oceanside's crown jewel that must be...

The park is good. However u can sense strong smell from animal pop urine or defecation from dogs , actually if u wanna lay down and enjoy natural environment of the park those strong smell from animal pop urine or defecation bother ur noise . I strongly believe that city ordinances should prohibit the or from any animal pop urine or defecation from dogs u cats or any other person. Just for safety reasons and sanitation procedures. The park is big just to design a small control area for pet lovers that comes to the park and for animals needs. I mean separate from humans areas. I strongly believe that city ordinances should prohibit the or from any animal pop urine or defecation from dogs u cats or any other pet lovers. That is I repeat from safety and sanitation procedures, from having or get in touch with diseases. Other than my concerns about it. This Oceanside park is good beautiful and have a great natural environment for family pinic and others public activities. Thank you for in...

According to google, Buddy Todd Park is Oceanside’s oldest park. After I read that, I thought the playgrounds would be dingy, breaking down, and outdated. However, they were great! The little train was a fan favorite because we’ve never seen one like this at a park before. My son played in the caboose car for about 20 minutes straight. We also loved the .5 mile paved walkway around the perimeter of the park. It was perfect for a little stroller jog!

📍2800 Mesa Dr, Oceanside, CA 92054 🚙Free parking in lot 💰This park is free 🎠The play structure includes both standard and bucket swings and is on a mulch ground surface 🚽Restrooms 🧺Multiple picnic tables scattered through the park 🍔Charcoal grills 🪑Park benches at playground 🌅Scenic ocean views 🌇Scenic city views 🖼Large lawns 🌳Shady trees 🛣Good distance away from busy roads 🚲Paved paths perfect for small bikes, scooters, roller blades, & strollers (outer rim is .5 mile and inner loop is .3 mile) 🏀Basketball...