Brick is a relatively uncommon building material in California, but this (amply reinforced) 1888-vintage brick building, once Oceanside’s first hardware store, is an eye-catching exception. The Brick Hotel isn’t large — just ten rooms — but for boutique-hotel fans it plays an outsized role in a hospitality scene that’s in the middle of something of a renaissance. The rooms themselves are stylish, with a bit of an urban edge that’s a welcome departure for sunny San Diego County. And the location is as central as can be, right in the heart of Oceanside’s compact downtown, and a short walk from the pier and the beach. There are reasons to stay in, though; The Brick Hotel itself is home to a rooftop bar called Cococabana and a lobby-level tiki bar, both popular among guests and locals alike.