Surfing Oxnard's Beaches
Oxnard's beaches are known for some of the best surfing in the area, especially at Silver Strand and Hollywood. Most of the really outstanding waves roll in during the winter with swells coming from the northwest, but there are places like Oxnard Beach were southern swells produce some good action.
Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
Surfing Schools
Silver Strand Surf School
(805) 985-7867 Silver Strand Surf School
5-day surf camps for ages 8 - 16, private lessons, groups
All instructors are Ocean LifeGuard, CPR and First Aid certified.
Nearby Surf Shops
Ventura Surf Shop
88 East Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA
Sales and rentals
(805) 643-1062 Ventura Surf Shop
Seaward Surf & Sport
1082 South Seaward Avenue, Ventura, CA
Rentals, sales, lessons
(805) 648-4742 Seaward Surf & Sport
CSU Channel Islands
Youth Watersports Camp
California State University Channel Islands offers a Youth Watersports Camp for ages 9 - 15. Six one-week-long sessions are usually scheduled, running from mid-June to early August. The camp is held at Channel Islands Harbor.
Participants select one area of special instruction for the week: Introduction to Windsurfing,
Introduction to Sailing, or Introduction to Kayaking. Campers will also learn about water safety and
environmental education with a visit to the Oxnard College Marine Education Center.
CSU Recreation - Youth Watersports Camp
Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball courts are found on Silver Strand Beach, Hollywood Beach, and in Oxnard Beach Park. Down the southern end of Hollywood Beach many of the patrons of the Rudder Room, a popular local dive bar, enjoy stepping out onto the sand for a pick-up game or the annual 4th of July tournament.
Beach Volleyball Camps
Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos' Beach Volleyball Camps offer a summer beach volleyball camp at Oxnard Beach Park. Participants can join for one day, 5 days, 10 days, 20 days, or the entire summer. they also offer a Sand & Sea Beach Camp. Check their website for current dates and prices.
Beach Volleyball Camps
Oxnard Youth Volleyball
Oxnard Youth Volleyball is taking sign-ups for an 8-week volleyball league to run from April 9, 2024 to June 1, 2024. Ages 7-15. The league will meet at Oxnard Beach Park on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Check their website for registration information.
Oxnard Youth Volleyball
Surf Fishing along Oxnard's Beaches
Surf fishing from the shore along the coast of Oxnard is a popular activity. Among the species pulled from the ocean are surfperch, yellow croaker, spotfin croaker, California halibut, and California corbina. Most anglers have their best luck fishing in the early morning or just before dusk. Rising tides are often a great time to fish.
Among the best places to fish are north of Mandalay Beach near the power plant. World record barred surfperch have been taken there. Also good fishing is found anywhere along Hollywood Beach and Silver Strand Beach.
The Wreck of La Jenelle
In 1970 the luxury cruise ship La Jenelle was anchored just outside Port Hueneme when a storm broke her loose from her anchors and pushed her onto the beach at the mouth of the harbor. Huge surf capsized the ship and the crew had to be rescued by helicopter.
Beyond saving, the ship was partially dismantled. The parts of the hull that remained were filled with rock, sand and concrete and used to extend the jetty at the mouth of the harbor. Today rusted pieces of the ship can be seen along the edge of the jetty by La Jenelle Park.
