Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is a neighborhood in Vice Beach, Vice-Dale County, known for its pastel art deco hotels, bright white sands, and a lively Ocean Drive-inspired thoroughfare lined with restaurants and nightlife. It is one of the most iconic locations in Grand Theft Auto VI.
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Overview
Ocean Beach is a neighborhood in Vice Beachlocated in Vice-Dale County and Leonida. Rockstar Games officially describes the area as featuring "pastel art deco hotels and bright white sands," making it one of the most visually distinctive districts in Vice City. The neighborhood covers the southern end of Vice Beach and is a hub for tourism, nightlife, and beachfront culture.
Ocean Beach draws heavy inspiration from the real-life South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida. Its architecture, beachfront promenade, and cultural atmosphere closely mirror the famous Ocean Drive strip, right down to the neon-lit Art Deco facades and outdoor dining areas that line the main road.
Location and Layout
Ocean Beach occupies the southern portion of Vice Beach, with a long stretch of white sand running along its eastern edge. The neighborhood's primary thoroughfare runs parallel to the beach, serving as the main artery for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. This road is lined with Art Deco hotels, restaurants, bars, and retail shops, creating a dense commercial strip that remains active around the clock.
The road itself is a two-way street modeled after Miami's Ocean Drive. It features palm trees, outdoor seating areas, and a steady flow of foot traffic from tourists and residents alike. During the day, the area is popular with beachgoers and sunbathers. At night, the buildings light up with multicolored neon signs, transforming the strip into one of Vice City's premier entertainment districts.
Architecture
The defining feature of Ocean Beach is its Art Deco architecture. The buildings along the main strip feature pastel-colored facades in shades of pink, turquoise, yellow, and white, with geometric ornamentation typical of the Art Deco movement. These buildings are relatively low-rise compared to the skyscrapers found in Downtown Vice City, giving the area a distinct, relaxed character.
Several specific hotels have been identified in official trailersscreenshots. The Ocean View Hotel is the most prominent, featuring a large pink neon sign above its entrance. It is based on the real-life Clevelander Hotel at 1020 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. The Boardwalk Hotel, visible in Trailer 1, sits nearby and is modeled after Hotel Breakwater at 940 Ocean Drive. A third hotel in the area draws visual inspiration from the Scarface-era aesthetic of 1980s Miami architecture.
Notable Landmarks
Landmark | Description |
|---|---|
Pastel pink Art Deco hotel with a prominent neon sign; based on the Clevelander Hotel in Miami Beach | |
Boardwalk Hotel | Art Deco hotel neighboring the Ocean View; based on Hotel Breakwater on Ocean Drive |
Neptune Hotel | Hotel located adjacent to the Boardwalk Hotel along the main strip |
Beachfront Promenade | A walkway running between the main road and the beach, popular with joggers and pedestrians |
Outdoor Dining Strip | Numerous restaurants with sidewalk seating along the main thoroughfare |
Atmosphere and Culture
Ocean Beach embodies the sun-soaked, glamorous side of Vice City. Rockstar's broader description of Vice City as "the sun and fun capital of America" is most visibly realized in this neighborhood. The area attracts a mix of tourists, wealthy residents, and people looking to enjoy the beach lifestyle. During daytime hours, the white sand beach is populated with sunbathers, volleyball players, and swimmers.
At night, the neighborhood transforms. Neon lights illuminate the Art Deco facades, crowds fill the sidewalks, and high-end vehicles cruise the main strip. Trailer 1 includes a nighttime shot of the area showing a dense concentration of pedestrians, lit-up buildings, and a lively energy that captures the nightlife culture of the neighborhood. The area appears to be one of Vice City's primary destinations for evening entertainment.
Appearances in Trailers
Ocean Beach is one of the most frequently shown locations across both official trailers. Trailer 1 features several shots along the main strip, including a nighttime panorama showing the neon-lit Art Deco buildings. Trailer 2 includes additional angles of the beachfront and surrounding streets. Multiple official screenshots released by Rockstar Games on May 6, 2025, prominently feature Ocean Beach, including screenshots accompanying the reveals of characters Raul Bautista and Real Dimez.
Real-World Inspiration
Ocean Beach is a direct recreation of the South Beach neighborhood in Miami Beach, Florida. The main thoroughfare mirrors Ocean Drive, one of the most famous streets in the United States, known for its concentration of Art Deco hotels built during the 1930s and 1940s. The Miami Beach Architectural District, which encompasses most of the real-life inspiration for Ocean Beach, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world.
Trivia
Ocean Beach previously appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006), though the GTA VI version is a completely new interpretation of the area.
The Ocean View Hotel was Tommy Vercetti's first safehouse in the original Vice City, making it one of the most nostalgic locations for returning players.
Community analysis has identified over a dozen individual Art Deco buildings along the main strip, each with unique architectural details and signage.