Two women in a nail salon; one woman sits at a manicure table smiling, the other sits across, playfully sticking out her tongue, with salon supplies and décor visible in the background.
Linda's Ocean Nails. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

What makes a neighborhood home?

A lot of people would say that a neighborhood is home when the community of people is getting along. This seems to be true along the north border of Ingleside, strung with businesses along Ocean  Avenue.

Just two years after Sept. 11, 2001, in 2003, Ocean Avenue was humming with restaurants, beauty parlors, coffee shops, cannabis and hat stores.

Now, in 2025, Ocean Avenue continues to support its neighborhood of hardworking people, a neighborhood that remains as diverse as ever. 

This is a look at the corridor over 20 years.

1944 Ocean Ave.

Then: 1944 Ocean Collective (medical cannabis dispensary).

Now: Little Panda Infant and Toddler Center (under construction).

  • A person with long hair sits on a striped couch, gesturing with both hands. Sunlight and shadows fall across their face and body. A dark cloth with Asian characters hangs behind them.
    1944 Ocean Collective. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • Storefront with a sign reading "Little Panda Infant and Toddler Center" along with a phone number; windows reflect the street outside.
    Little Panda Infant and Toddler Center exterior. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1917 Ocean Ave.

Then: In Style Women’s Clothing.

Now: Little Oceanauts, Inc.

  • A woman stands in a clothing store next to mannequins dressed in various outfits, with racks of clothes and footwear visible in the background.
    In Style Women’s Clothing. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • A child runs inside a brightly colored indoor play center with ocean-themed decorations, balloons, and play structures.
    Little Oceanauts. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1910 Ocean Ave.

Then: Linda’s Ocean Nails.

Now: Linda’s Ocean Nails.

“I remember you!” says Chris Phung, 50, the owner of Linda’s Ocean Nails. Her hometown is San Francisco.

  • Two women in a nail salon; one woman sits at a manicure table smiling, the other sits across, playfully sticking out her tongue, with salon supplies and décor visible in the background.
    Linda’s Ocean Nails. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • Two nail technicians give a pedicure to a woman seated in a black swivel chair inside a nail salon.
    Linda’s Ocean Nails. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1900 Ocean Ave.

Then: Phở Hà Tiên.

Now: Phở Hà Tiên.

“Back then? That was my brother, Jerry. Oh, he’s still alive!” says Steve Chang of Phở Hà Tiên.

  • A person stands behind the counter in a small kitchen or food service area, surrounded by shelves with various containers and supplies.
    Phở Hà Tiên. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • Small Chinese restaurant interior with empty tables, red chairs, wall decorations, condiments on tables, and a view of the counter and kitchen area in the background.
    Photo taken on 12 Apr 2025. . Credit: Jay A. Martin.

1710 Ocean Ave.

Then: El Mansoura International Market.

Now: Ocean Avenue Association (OAA).

“You are welcome here any time,” says Rosendo Betancourt, 30, the association’s small business and marketing manager. She’s originally from San Jose. 

  • A man in a suit jacket stands smiling inside a small, crowded shop filled with plates, trinkets, and a television.
    El Mansoura International Market. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • A man stands and smiles in front of a wall displaying colorful artwork and ribbons in a brightly lit room with wood floors and chairs.
    Ocean Avenue Association (OAA). Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1552 Ocean Ave.

Then: Thorne Hat Shop.

Now: Cherry Blossom Bakery.

  • A man stands in front of a hat display, holding a patterned hat to his chest. Mannequin heads with hats and sunglasses fill the background.
    Thorne Hat Shop. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • A Chinese bakery with customers at the counter and seated at tables; display cases with pastries, red lanterns, and festive decorations are visible.
    Cherry Blossom Bakery. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1490 Ocean Ave.

Then: Gina’s Ocean Avenue Service Station.

Now: Sweet Cupz.

“I grew up just one block south of the store,” says Amy Mireles, part owner of Sweet Cupz. Her hometown is San Francisco. 

  • A man stands near a car and a pile of tires outside a building, with a tented structure and shrubbery in the background.
    Gina’s Ocean Avenue Service Station. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • A woman stands behind a counter in a shop with a claw machine and stuffed toys displayed on the wall behind her.
    Sweet Cupz. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1338 Ocean Ave.

Then: El Jalapeño Taqueria.

Now: El Jalapeño Taqueria.

  • A man in a white shirt and apron stands behind the counter of a restaurant kitchen, with a menu board and mounted deer head visible in the background.
    El Jalapeño Taqueria. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • A woman stands behind a counter in a Mexican restaurant, with a large menu on the wall, a deer head mount, and various supplies visible around her.
    El Jalapeño Taqueria. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1314 Ocean Ave.

Then: Caffe D’Melanio.

Now: Ocean Ale House.

“Your drink is on the house,” says Cristal Romero, bar manager at Ocean Ale House.

  • A man pours a large container of coffee beans into a commercial coffee roasting machine.
    Caffe D’Melanio. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • People sit at a bar and tables inside a restaurant, some eating and drinking, with a TV on the wall showing a sports game.
    Ocean Ale House. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

1306 Ocean Ave.

Then: Dri-Glo Coin Laundry.

Now: Ocean Wash and Dry Coin Laundry.

  • A dog on a leash stands in front of a shop entrance with a glass window decorated with white and blue circles.
    Ocean Wash and Dry Coin Laundry. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

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