Oceanside Museum of Art, a non-profit organization dedicated to Southern California artists, is planning to open a new cafe on its expanded campus in Oceanside at 704 Pier View Way.
The cafe is part of a broader campus expansion that will grow the museum’s footprint from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, incorporating the historic 1929 Fire Station No. 1 and creating new galleries, permanent collection facilities, and outdoor public spaces, according to a press release from the museum. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with a projected public dedication of the full campus in Spring 2028. The cafe will include indoor and outdoor seating and will serve as a social hub for visitors, complementing the museum’s indoor-outdoor galleries and terraces.
“As Oceanside Museum of Art grows, our commitment to the community grows with it,” Maria Mingalone, Executive Director of Oceanside Museum of Art, said in a press release. “This expansion allows us to preserve an important historic landmark while boldly investing in the future of artists and our cultural community, creating new opportunities for arts education, and meaningful public gathering spaces. This ensures OMA remains a vibrant cultural hub for generations to come.”
The expansion will also add two new gallery spaces, including a community gallery in the former fire station bay and a dedicated permanent collection gallery. Gallery space will increase from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet, giving OMA more capacity to showcase Southern California artists. New collection storage will grow from 600 to 2,000 square feet, allowing the museum to preserve and exhibit its growing art holdings.
Outdoor spaces will also be enhanced with sculpture gardens, public art, terraces, and landscaped gathering areas. The design, by San Diego firm Safdie Rabines Architects, leverages the signature arcades of Fire Station No. 1 to connect the central pavilion with surrounding outdoor plazas. The campus will span a full city block and create fluid connections between all three buildings, supporting informal social experiences and public programs.
OMA will expand its educational offerings with a dedicated arts education center, supporting programs like Literacy Through Art, ArtQuest, and Discovery Art Tours. Multi-use spaces will accommodate lectures, workshops, community gatherings, and rentals, while encouraging visitors to linger and interact with both the museum and the cafe.
The expansion has been funded through OMA’s $10 million Campaign for Expansion, which raised over $9 million in its quiet phase, including $3.59 million in state funding secured by State Senator Catherine Blakespear. Major gifts came from individuals, local foundations, civic organizations, and public partners. The public phase of the campaign invites community participation to shape the museum’s future.
