Top Gun House Oceanside: Yes, It’s Real. Yes, There’s Pie. Yes, You Should Go.

Katherine: Calling all Top Gun fans and seekers of feel-good throwbacks—this is the beachside stop that takes your breath away.

Kelsi: Yes, we are quoting the soundtrack. No, we don’t apologize.

The Top Gun House in Oceanside, California is a teeny tiny cottage that packs more 1980s cinematic heat than Maverick on a motorcycle. Whether you’re here for the Paramount Pictures nostalgia or just need a valid excuse to eat pie before noon (us), this is your place.

Where to Find It—and Why It’s Worth the Stop

Let’s start with the facts that make your inner trivia nerd giddy. The Top Gun House—technically called the Graves House—was built in 1888 by Dr. Henry Graves. It’s one of the oldest homes in Oceanside, California, and a gorgeous example of Queen Anne-style architecture (complete with gingerbread trim and that famously photogenic porch).

But most visitors know it not for its architecture, but for its 1986 Top Gun fame. In the film, it served as Charlie’s house—the one where Maverick (played by Tom Cruise) shows up on his motorcycle in very dramatic fashion to see his instructor-slash-love-interest Charlie, played by Kelly McGillis.

Fast forward a few decades, and this baby-blue beauty has been lovingly restored and transformed into a real-deal pie shop called High-Pie, nestled right on Pacific Street in front of the chic Mission Pacific Hotel.

What to Expect When You Visit the Top Gun House

First of all, it’s adorable.

This isn’t just some dusty old set piece. It’s a full-on aesthetic moment—restored with care, painted in that signature blue color, and surrounded by towering modern hotels that make it feel like a time capsule in the best way.

We walked up, half-expecting a movie montage to start playing. And yes, there’s even a vintage motorcycle parked out front so you can channel your inner Maverick and snap the perfect “I feel the need… the need for pie” shot.

Walking into the High-Pie shop inside the house is like stepping into your grandma’s Victorian beach cottage if your grandma also happened to be a Top Gun superfan with a pie addiction.

Think floral wallpaper, nautical knick-knacks, vintage portraits, and a mounted cow’s head that is either whimsical or slightly unhinged, depending on your caffeine levels.

Katherine: It’s like if Wes Anderson directed a Hallmark Christmas movie… and then added Tom Cruise.

Let’s Talk Pie

Yes, the house is cute. Yes, the wallpaper inside is serving grandma-chic with a twist of nautical. But let’s get to the important part: the pie.

We went for the apple, because it just felt right. It arrived warm, golden, and ready to undo all the clean eating we said we’d do this week. It delivered everything you want from a miniature pastry served inside a movie set: buttery, warm, and flaky enough to emotionally ruin you.

You can get them with ice cream inside (which you should), and there are dipping sauces, too, if you believe pie should come with accessories. Which it should.

Katherine: Between the house, the pie, and the Top Gun soundtrack stuck in my head, I’m not okay.

Kelsi: Do NOT start singing in public again.

Katherine: gazing toward the sky dramatically: I think she’s lost that loving feeling…

Kelsi: She’s lost… no, she hasn’t.

Katherine: Yes, she has.

Kelsi: She has not lost that—Katherine, come on. (sigh) I hate it when she does this.

Nostalgia, Film Trivia & Feel-Good Moments

The Oceanside Top Gun House leans into its legendary status with style. From framed movie stills to nods to Top Gun: Maverick, the whole space celebrates the Paramount Pictures legacy without feeling overly commercial.

Fun Fact: Paramount rented the house for filming back in the ‘80s. And when Top Gun: Maverick premiered in 2022, they brought the nostalgia full circle, shining a spotlight on the home once again.

Planning Your Visit: What You Need to Know

Location: 250 North Pacific Street, Oceanside, CA. Just steps from the Oceanside Pier and the beach.

Admission: Totally free to visit the outside.

Pie prices: Around $7–$10 depending on your add-ons (ice cream, sauces, etc.).

Time to spend: 30–60 minutes is perfect for photos, pie, and a peek inside.

Parking: Metered street parking nearby. Try early afternoon for the best lighting and lighter crowds.

And yes—it’s extremely kid-friendly. There’s enough quirk and color to entertain little ones, and who’s going to say no to ice cream-stuffed pie?

Make It a Day: Things to Do Nearby

The Top Gun House Oceanside is the perfect addition to a coastal outing. Just a few steps away, you’ve got:

• Oceanside Pier – Stroll, fish, or people-watch.
• California Surf Museum – A low-cost, family-friendly stop with real surfboards and cool exhibits.
• The Beach – Pack towels, snacks, and sunscreen. It’s right there.

There are also plenty of cafés, taco spots, and picnic-perfect parks nearby if your pie demands a savory chaser.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Visit

• Combine it with other Oceanside attractions for a half-day itinerary.
• Go early if you want that perfect shot without other Maverick fans in the background.
• Stroller-friendly? Yep! The path around the house is smooth, and the nearby beachwalk is ideal for littles.
• Restrooms nearby: Pop into the Mission Pacific Hotel or use beachside public facilities.

Social Media Moment: Pose Like You Mean It

This house was built in 1888, but it was made for the ‘Gram.

📸 Strike a pose out front with that dreamy blue color and white gingerbread trim.

🏍️ Channel your inner Maverick on the motorcycle (helmet not included, danger vibes optional).

🥧 Snap your pie like it’s couture. Tag it. Bite it. Become it.

Kelsi: I’ve never felt more powerful holding a $9 pastry in front of an Airbnb-sized museum.

Final Thoughts: Should You Go?

In the words of our heartthrob, Mavick “Don’t think. Just do.”

It’s free. It’s adorable. It’s a pie shop wrapped in a movie reference wrapped in a Victorian cottage.

And it’s smack in the middle of Oceanside’s beachy best—just steps from the Pacific, minutes from the Oceanside Pier, and dangerously close to the edge of our self-control around flaky pastry.

Katherine: You’ve lost that loving feeling, haven’t you?

Kelsi: Only because I ate it. It was apple-flavored and life-changing.

Whether you’re a die-hard Top Gun fan, a casual coastal explorer, or just someone who believes in dessert before noon, the Top Gun House Oceanside is absolutely worth the stop.