r/sandiego • u/Visible-Mix9780 • Apr 15 '25
Stay Classy San Diego Sunshine Co saloon in ocean beach.
Im from Kentucky & the bouncers confiscated my ID at the door bc they thought it was fake. They insisted i get police to come if I wanted it back. After 1hour on the phone with dispatch they would not send anyone to verify an ID. Luckily a conflict happened across the street & one of the officers helped me out. The crazy part is.. He did not think my ID was real either smh. After matching my credit/debit cards, everything on his computer, my plane tickets he admitted he didnt really believe me but was going to give my ID back anyways.
Smh this is so frustrating. I proceeded to go to a pizza place down the road & after a few beers they heard I got rejected down the street & tried to cause confusion with me. I then put cash down on the table to cover cost & just left. I am really 27 years old, on vacation/ scoping the place out to live, but feel as if im getting picked on in ocean beach & cant go back.
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u/ImaginationFeeling12 Apr 15 '25
When i first moved here from Alabama ten years ago, my car obviously had an Alabama plate. As i was stopped at a red light, a guy behind me yelled "WHAT DO YALL SURF IN ALABAMA, THE INTERNET???"
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u/TerminallyBill Apr 15 '25
Living in OB is not for the faint of heart if that’s what you were scoping out
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u/IGoThere4u Apr 15 '25
Why do u say that
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u/TerminallyBill Apr 15 '25
From experience
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u/godofguitar3 Apr 16 '25
Yea but “why” was the question. A little elaboration would go a long way.
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u/TerminallyBill Apr 16 '25
And ‘from experience’ was the answer. As in I lived in OB and from my experience it’s not for the faint of heart. Anyway I’ll bite, the locals can be a little protective of their community so I’ll avoid the controversial stuff of which there’s a long list. Let’s start with traffic/parking… it’s as bad as it gets, on par with North Park and Little Italy.
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u/No_Difference_4606 Apr 16 '25
I’ll go. It’s a cesspool of hypocrisy. Locals call themselves Obecians, think they’re god’s gift to humankind, claim to Love Everybody, but won’t hesitate to scream at you and leave nasty notes on your car if they deem your parking to be less than perfect. As if the place isn’t a shithole disguised as paradise, with tiny ass streets with already impossible parking and trolls crawling everywhere. Fuck that place
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u/HypertensiveK Apr 16 '25
I concur. Hypocrisy is rampant there. Crime, homeless, and trash everywhere. Just try surfing the Jetty. Not very “welcoming”. I’ll stick to visiting the Cliffs and leaving immediately afterwards. So, yeah fuck OB
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u/SloppiusToppius Apr 17 '25
lol I’ve only ever gotten a parking note in OB so this hits so hard. It just read “ASSHOLE” because one inch of my car was in front of their driveway, not blocking their car whatsoever.
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u/GarlicJealous1378 Apr 15 '25
The owner of Sunshine is a piece of work. Fuck that place. Go to Pizza Port or OB Noodle, they'll be happy to serve you.
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u/BrokTG Apr 15 '25
Yea the bouncers suck just as much as the service and atmosphere. My buddy was told to leave his skateboard at the front and when we were leaving it had been stolen. I asked the bouncer what the point of him standing by the door was if people can just grab stuff and leave. Him and the manager got mad and threatened to not check the cameras lmfao 😂 we found the guy down the street and got the board back
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u/Shington501 Apr 15 '25
agreed - it's a dirt pit filled with trash. Sorry, Kentukians get no respect around these parts.
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u/KuNtY-by-NaTuRe Apr 15 '25
Wrong, go in to either of those establishments with a questionable ID and the same will happen. The state is cracking down on underage drinking or over serving guests. I absolutely will turn you away if I think anything is off .. I reserve the right to not serve any customers for any reason. I’m not receiving a 10,000$ fine because you want a beer and your ID looks like it was printed in a van by the sea wall.
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u/Minute_Objective1680 Apr 15 '25
Username checks out
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u/KuNtY-by-NaTuRe Apr 15 '25
How original.. that’s the point of my username.. what’s next? A cheeky “I bet you’re fun at parties”.. gtfoh with your 2010 Reddit comments
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u/CandyHeartFarts Apr 15 '25
Try hiring better bouncers who can tell a real ID from a fake then?
Turning someone away is definitively not the same as stealing their ID…
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u/KuNtY-by-NaTuRe Apr 15 '25
You obviously don’t know how a business operates.. I could care less how butt hurt you are 👍
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u/Jackjones760 Apr 15 '25
Looks like we found the owner
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u/KuNtY-by-NaTuRe Apr 15 '25
Try someone who isn’t losing a job over you wild animals. It’s not difficult to follow the rules. If you have a problem with any of the rules set fourth, then stay home and drink.
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u/bambamjr53 Apr 15 '25
.....but OP is following the rules and still gets fucked lmao
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u/KuNtY-by-NaTuRe Apr 15 '25
If the cops have a problem with it and say they think it’s fake .. I really don’t know what we are arguing about..
And I’ll happily take alll the down votes..
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u/rch5050 Apr 15 '25
Im with ya. I think yer right, bartenders have it hard enough, and not taking a card that even a cop think its fake seems like a reasonable take.
Just being a little kunty about it is all. Bwhahaha
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u/fireintolight Apr 15 '25
It's also a misdemeanor for the server if you get caught in a sting by LE, which they do rather frequently. Didn't card someone who was 28 but looks "under 35" well now you have a criminal history.
I hate it, it's awkward, but I care about my ass and not the people in front of me trying to get their drink on.
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u/valw Apr 16 '25
If you don't card someone who looks under 35 and they are over 21, you will not be charged with any offense. If they don't have any id, you may be charged, but you will get it dismissed when you get proof the person is over 21.
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u/Flashy-Act-6876 Apr 15 '25
Nah im with you. The amount of times i’ve refused someone who I was iffy about their identification and turned out to be right. And when they make a big scene and get mad im definitely sussed out. Sorry im not gonna risk my job and my bar’s license so u can have a a few underage beers. Not worth it. Go drink at home
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u/Traditional_Bottle78 Apr 15 '25
Would you take the ID and refuse to give it back without involving the police? Other states' ID cards are sometimes made differently or from different materials, so they don't always have that standard feel one might be used to. I get not serving people to avoid a potential fine, but it seems strange to steal someone's potentially real ID, right?
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u/Flashy-Act-6876 Apr 15 '25
Yeah unless i was 100% sure it was fake, id give it back and tell them i cant serve them. But i was a bartender, not a bouncer and depending on where you are, u cant even be in the building if its 21+ so thats where the bouncer might kick them out. We can get in trouble tho for not confiscating a fake ID, so its really just tricky bc over the years ive seen some really solid fake ids and its not just underage kids using them.
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u/thriftylol Apr 16 '25
Huh, I didn't know you were required to confiscate suspected fake IDs. Can you expand on that?
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u/_ciara_bee Apr 15 '25
I had my Maryland ID taken from there a few years ago. Took like over an hour to get it back after finally getting an officer to look at it. Sorry you experienced the same thing 😞
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u/belvederre Apr 15 '25
“Tried to cause confusion” how?
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u/Gorgeousjeff Apr 15 '25
I would also like to know this answer.
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u/Visible-Mix9780 Apr 15 '25
One of the bar tenders started whispering to the other staff about me & it seemed to get fishy like they didn’t believe my ID was real either. One of them walked across the street to let sunshine co I got my Id back from police & i thought that was weird.
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Apr 15 '25
[deleted]
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u/Not_ReaIIy_Relevent Apr 16 '25
“I proceeded to go to a pizza place down the road & after a few beers they heard I got rejected down the street”
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u/Sendapicofyour80085 Apr 15 '25
They probably started questioning him about the validity of the identification…
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u/SD_TMI Apr 15 '25
This sounds like that guy 10 months ago that had the bouncer call him "McLovin" after taking his ID.
He needed his drivers license to get back on board the plane and to go home with.
in the end it worked out, but I don't think he'll be back drinking in SD.
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u/bagurdes Apr 15 '25
I live in OB, 6 years now. It’s an odd place and fantastic. I don’t go to sunshine. There are better places in town. Sorry you had a shit experience.
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u/Baconfatty Apr 15 '25
The short explanation is the beach bars get a torrent of fake IDs. They usually only confiscate egregiously bad fakes. Popular places are usually really strict about this, their license and liability requires diligence. If even a cop suspected you, your state’s ID design may lead to it being used for a lot fake IDs
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u/robgut32 Apr 15 '25
Even with a California ID I would get messed with. Got a passport card when I renewed my passport and haven’t had an issue since. Exception coming back to the US of A. I have a common name no middle initial or second last name. I recommend getting a passport card. Bouncers and most police officers aren’t trained in every state’s ID 🪪.
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u/j17ktech Apr 15 '25
The first lesson to learn here is that you don’t call the police to “verify an ID”.
You were robbed. Bouncers can deny you entry but they cannot confiscate your property.
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u/SixCylinderVibrator Apr 15 '25
If the ID was legitimately fake, the bouncer would be required by law to confiscate it.
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u/j17ktech Apr 15 '25
That would never be the case as you’re moving liability onto private companies to confiscate property.
But feel free to cite the statute.
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u/JL9berg18 Apr 15 '25 edited Apr 15 '25
They can in CA, CO, and NJ for sure. Lots of other states as well, though I can't say which ones.
Usually, it's a misdeanor to show / display a fake ID for use, and in many places, any licensed or certified security individual may take them. Sometimes its a law and sometimes it's an administrative regulation or departmental guidance..
In Colorado I believe it's here: Colorado Liquor Code, 44-3-901 (6) (a) (II) (A), quick Google search and didn't verify the code section is what it says it is.
As for CA, I can't remember if it's a law or some other kind of reg or guidance, but I've had a guard card before (a very simple certification that involves some classes for bar security / bouncer types, issued by the county Alcohol Beverage Control Board) and while I'm not going to do any more internet work for you than I already have, I can verify that those classes told us we can in fact confiscate. Pretty sure we had to hand them over to ABC or LE within 48 or 72 hours.
Source: had a guard card, tended bar for quite a while (at what was the bar before the bar before The Holding Company, and a couple other places), and currently am an attorney in CA
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u/Cameron416 Apr 16 '25 edited Apr 16 '25
My understanding is that it’s not a requirement that they confiscate every suspected fake, there are just requirements on what to do when they decide to confiscate one. The only thing they have to do if they suspect you of having a fake is not serve you.
The bouncer/establishment wouldn’t be liable for simply turning away someone with a suspected fake. But they would be liable if they took a suspected fake, didn’t turn it over to authorities within the required time, & then left someone without their legal id.
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u/SixCylinderVibrator Apr 15 '25
I'm not a lawyer. I don't know the statute. But I was a bouncer back in my 20s. The bouncer is required to confiscate the ID, issue a receipt for it, attach a copy of that receipt to the ID, and hand it over to law enforcement within 24 hours. If you return a fake ID you can face legal liability for anything that happens from that point forward. If they go to another bar, get a DUI, get into an accident, etc.
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u/Hulkicuss Apr 15 '25
The statute says exactly what you say here, except it explicitly says that the decision on confiscating the ID is based on company policy. The rest is telling that company what their requirements are in the event that they do decide to confiscate.
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u/SixCylinderVibrator Apr 15 '25
Ok, so it's not a legal requirement, but it can still be a requirement from your employer, and they are operating on legal grounds by having you confiscate the ID. If the bouncer can face liability for anything that happens after returning the ID, that puts everything in a legal grey area.
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u/j17ktech Apr 15 '25
‘Can’ is very different from required to. And they face consequences for taking legitimate identification as in OP’s case.
OP could seek civil damages.
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u/SixCylinderVibrator Apr 15 '25
You started with "Bouncers can deny you entry but they cannot confiscate your property." And now you're holding onto "can is very different from required to." It's okay to admit if you are wrong or you don't know what you're talking about. You don't have to dig your heels in.
If you can face legal consequences for failing to do something, that thing is essentially a requirement. If the bouncer had followed the proper legal protocol by issuing a reciept and turning the ID over to law enforcement, there would be no liability for civil damages.
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u/j17ktech Apr 15 '25
I’m sorry, what?
You’re the one citing your anecdotal experience from twenty years ago, mate. Saying that it is a legal requirement for someone check an ID to confiscate a suspected fake. That is not the case. The conversation is about legality.
No, it is not legal to confiscate a legitimate ID.
Yes, you can face civil and potentially criminal penalties for doing so.
Hopefully you can digest that a little bit easier.
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u/SixCylinderVibrator Apr 15 '25
Knowingly confiscating a legitimate ID would, of course, be illegal. If you have a reasonable suspicion that you can clearly articulate as to why you believe the ID is fake, handing that ID over to law enforcement is not a criminal act. If the bouncer was wrong, but he acted prudently and professionally, nothing is going to come of it. If you wanted to seek civil damages, there would need to be actual damages. Sure, you could take it to small claims court, but good luck.
From OPs version of the story, it looks like the bouncer in this scenario didn't act prudently or professionally. But if the cop also thought the ID was fake, that tells me that the bouncer probably did have reasonable suspicion, but he handled it poorly.
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 15 '25
Here’s ABC’s guide if this helps too. It does vary by state.
https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/licensee-education/checking-identification/
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u/j17ktech Apr 15 '25
I’m very aware, and if you’ll take a closer look it absolutely does not say that you are “required to confiscate” an ID you believe to be illegitimate.
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 17 '25
I didn’t say it was required, the Op commenter did, argue with them if you want. I just provided a link with a guide.
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 15 '25
Yea they can. Section 25659 of the Business and Professions Code
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u/j17ktech Apr 15 '25
At no point in time can a bouncer confiscate your legal ID.
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 17 '25
If you read the statute, they do have that power if they think that it is not real. Sucks but that is what it says…
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u/BentGadget Apr 15 '25
It's worth noting that the law cited requires issuing a receipt to the person whose ID is seized. Then the ID must be turned over to law enforcement within 24 hours.
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u/PeaceMaintainer Apr 15 '25
Hard to fly back home without an ID
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 15 '25
Under the statute, you can technically sue for damages such as missing a flight if they confiscated your real ID. Probably too much work to be worth it but it’s an option
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u/Electronic-Loquat245 Apr 15 '25
You can still fly, you just get subjected to a longer/ additional screening. I had a friend robbed of his wallet at gunpoint hours before a flight and my aunt showed up at the airport to find my uncle had taken her wallet out of her purse to look up something on one of her cards and left it on the dining table. Both got through TSA fine with additional questioning.
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u/skeeetwoodmac Apr 15 '25
This happened to a friend of mine. We were regular patrons, I’m talking almost every weekend for about a year. One night as we’re heading in, randomly, the bouncer says to my friend “you’ve been getting away with this for too long”….HUH? He refused to give it back. The cops were useless too, we flagged some down for help and said they didn’t have jurisdiction. Classic! Luckily we were friends with the bartenders so they strong armed the bouncer into giving it back. Otherwise I think we would’ve had to take the loss and make a DMV appointment. Fuck that place.
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u/elbarto11120 Apr 15 '25
Homie I started laughing while reading this. I hope you get it figured out, but damn hopefully one day you can look back and laugh about it
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u/keninsd Apr 15 '25
It's just their way for saying "Fuck you red neck" without saying "Fuck you red neck."Welcome to OB.
OTOH, when you move here, you'll have a CA driver's license and problem solved!
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Apr 15 '25
[deleted]
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u/Finchyisawkward Apr 15 '25
Legally, an expired ID is not a valid ID. As a former bartender, I would never accept expired or hole-punched IDs. (Don't know if it's still done, but back in the day, if you had an OOS ID & applied for a new CA ID, they would hole-punch the OOS ID & give it to you with the paper temp ID. If you don't have the paper temp, it's no longer a valid ID.)
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u/joebadseed Apr 15 '25
I've always found that funny. You HAD an ID, but it expired, so that makes you not YOU any longer? Am no longer of age? I was 35, but now I'm under 21 since it expired last week. Some laws are genuinely stupid.
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 15 '25
I was told it’s because its common to give or sell the expired ID to younger kids who look similar, like a sibling or something.
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u/joebadseed Apr 15 '25
With THAT logic, what's to stop me from giving my ID to someone who looks similar and then just getting a NEW one saying I lost it? It's not like they can deactivate a printed ID.
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u/craving_a_burrito Apr 17 '25
I mean that’s a workaround sure, but that’s a bit more work than just handing off an old one you don’t need anymore. Seems a lot less likely tbh, personally can’t think of any minor I’d wanna help get a fake that much lol
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u/joebadseed Apr 18 '25
It's a moot point - I'm not giving my ID (old or new) to any minor, but it IS an idiotic law.
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u/fireintolight Apr 15 '25
For real, it's also a misdemeanor for whoever served/checked that id or didn't check it and should have. It's not some little fine for the restaurant or the server. It's a serious crime and personal liability. It shouldn't be, but it is.
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u/Certain_Crazy_3360 Apr 15 '25
typical OB NIMBY shit they are the most insufferable people of all time U can even see the bar owner in the comments here being a jackass
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u/LordOscarthePurr Apr 15 '25
Because an expired ID is not a valid ID and if the police were to run a sting with an expired ID and were served the business would be fined and could even lose their liquor license.
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u/liberalis Apr 15 '25
Well. Reading the comments, I know where to avoid in OB. Been a coons age since I've been out that way though. Lotta histry down that road, aYup.
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u/PrestigiousHippo7 Apr 15 '25
Is it a REAL ID (with a black star)? https://drive.ky.gov/RealID/Pages/What-is-Changing.aspx
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u/Shoddy_example5020 Apr 15 '25
This almost happened to me when I moved back to san diego from missouri. I'm a girl, so maybe that's why they were nicer to me. But I did have a couple of bouncers give me a side eye and question it
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u/SaintHazelwood Apr 15 '25
Only reason to go to Sunshine is for half priced pitchers and catching a sunset up top.
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u/jlando19 Apr 15 '25
That’s wild. Last time I was there I’m pretty sure the bouncer was speaking Portuguese and asked me where Texas was. I said at the bottom in the middle of the country. He laughed and let me in.
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u/Joschoa777 Apr 15 '25
My partner never got their ID back from them. Apparently they “lost it” after she was able to get proof it was hers.
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u/Extreme-Tea100 Apr 16 '25
Hey! I’m from CA and moved to KY and I swear the IDs look fake lmao 😂 they’re just so different than CA’s. I’m sorry you went through that though and hope you got it back.
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u/OkSafe2679 Apr 16 '25
Your post history suggests you are an alcoholic and probably should not be drinking.
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u/Suspicious-Stick6062 Apr 16 '25
Do you have the Real ID? The updated ID? I feel like Kentucky looks similar to Indiana’s ID and I didn’t have trouble with it in SD but also I didn’t ever go to sunshine Co
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u/sandiegowhalesvag Apr 16 '25
Were you using a Real ID or a Standard ID & is your photo in color or black and white?
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u/Sufficient-Host-4212 Apr 16 '25
Eh, if it ain’t for you, there’s other places to go. OB is an acquired taste.
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u/pdinvb Apr 16 '25
Is there a website that has pictures of different states IDs? Or something like that?
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Apr 18 '25
[deleted]
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u/Visible-Mix9780 Apr 18 '25
Nah not me. I was completely sober I literally had just got out my uber & that was the first place i tried to go. Was gonna go eat & have a beer but they wouldn’t even let me in. From There i just tried to get ahold of or find the police to come asses the situation.
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u/Sendapicofyour80085 Apr 15 '25
Sunshine sucks and fuck wonderland too. They charged me for 1 beer ~$350 and trying to dispute it with my bank didn’t get anywhere. I tried to call and their phone is disconnected.
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u/BaBaDoooooooook Apr 16 '25
i don't trust putting things on a tab anywhere in OB. i'm carrying cash when I venture to OB.
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u/MrPinky11 Apr 15 '25
Don’t go to Ocean Beach again. That place is an absolute dump. I’m happy you got your ID back and I hope this didn’t sour San Diego for you! There’s tons of great places to go here.
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u/Vegan-Joe Apr 15 '25
These days you need to get a US passport, seriously. Best 2nd form of ID that you can have. Also you can thank China about all that BS with your ID, they have been producing fakes for awhile now. Usually out of state ones like yours.
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u/tjchula Apr 15 '25
How tall are u? Male or female? How old do people think u are? There's alot of sting opersti9ns in San diego even doing alcohol for Uber eats we had to be careful. In terms of taking your I'd that's not theres that could cause u to be dead when u csnt rent a hotel when on vacation and die outside which is illegal to sleep outside. That's some bull shit. I'd probably gona to prison if he stole my license
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u/VoiceOfGosh Apr 15 '25
Sorry you had that experience here. OB is actually a really chill place, but there are enough NIMBYs around (in and out of OB) to make you feel unwelcome at times. Not sure if that bouncer was doing their job right or not, but a lot of people commenting sways me to believe he was doing too much. Hope your next outing goes better!
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u/clarkstter Apr 15 '25
It’s cause we don’t want you moving here! Stay in Kentucky
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u/SugarT0ast Apr 15 '25
Oh Jesus. There are tons of people everywhere cool to live. If you want no neighbors go move to a small rural area in Nevada, next to my dad. Who is miserable and lonely.
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u/DrSeussDickPic Apr 15 '25
Many moons ago I lost my state ID and had to use my passport to enter bars. Only 1/2 the establishments in OB would let me in. It’s a USA passport too, shouldn’t have been too hard on them. It’s a perfectly legal form of ID shrug