Home › California › Oceanside › Buddy Todd Park
Buddy Todd Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,270 Google reviews · Running trail in Oceanside, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Buddy Todd Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Shady outdoor park featuring a children's playground & a covered picnic area with grills & outlets.
What runners say about Buddy Todd Park
“Clean and beautiful playground with ample parking, bathrooms, areas to walk around and lovely views.”
“Also, the ocean views to the west and mountain views to the east are breathtaking, beautiful location!”
“It’s peaceful, clean, and full of open green space with tons of shade from big, beautiful trees.”
“Great scenery & place to walk the fur babies, chit chat with couples of all ages & backgrounds, very diverse.”
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 After I read that, I thought the playgrounds would be dingy, breaking down, and outdated.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.
Half mile trial loop with great panoramic views of ocean and mountains! Great local hang for families with kids and pet owners. Picnic tables, grills, basketball court, sand volleyball court, playground, and restrooms available.
Nice park with playgrounds, tables with grills, running/walk path area and basketball court. Very big and lovely.
Idk why but i absolutely love this park! Has a beautiful view to the west. On clear days u can see the ocean. There are park benches and tables. Lots of grass, beautiful trees. And nice little walking paths. Playground for the kids.
Trail conditions & character
“Also, the ocean views to the west and mountain views to the east are breathtaking, beautiful location!”
“Clean and beautiful playground with ample parking, bathrooms, areas to walk around and lovely views.”
“Clean and beautiful playground with ample parking, bathrooms, areas to walk around and lovely views.”
“It’s peaceful, clean, and full of open green space with tons of shade from big, beautiful trees.”
“I brought my cat, Phoenix, here for the first time, and he had a blast exploring and even tried to climb a few trees (his favorite thing!”
“5 mile paved walkway around the perimeter of the park.”
“Half mile trial loop with great panoramic views of ocean and mountains!”
“It was perfect for a little stroller jog!”
“5 mile paved walkway around the perimeter of the park.”
Plan your run at Buddy Todd Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteci.oceanside.ca.us
- Phone(760) 435-4500
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Oceanside
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
San Luis Rey River Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 37 reviews
Park featuring a trail that's popular with walkers and cyclists.
Garrison Creek Nature Trail (Town Center Entrance)
4.2 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews
Fireside Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 335 reviews
Neighborhood park with a playground, BBQs, basketball court and volleyball court.
San Luis Rey River Trail Start
4.6 ★★★★★ 91 reviews
Park offering a bike trail that runs along the coast.
Hosp Grove Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 559 reviews
Winding through a eucalyptus tree grove, this trail with elevations of 100 feet offers ocean vistas.
Buccaneer Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,230 reviews
Tiny public green with basketball courts & a playground, plus a path along the Loma Alta Marsh.