Oxnard / Mandalay Beach

voted #1 Best Beach on the west coast

'olołkoy Beach Park (Oxnard Beach Park) has been named the number one Best Beach on the West Coast by USA Today's 10Best in their 2023 and 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. The palm-studded coastal park features rolling lawns, volleyball courts, kids play area, skating & jogging paths as well as the Ed Hunt Rehab Point, a 900-foot accessible paved loop behind the beach.

OXNARD/MANDALAY STATE BEACH Overview

Oxnard State Beach/Mandalay State Beach is a family-friendly golden duned beach with spectacular views of the Channel Island National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Check in to the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach and visit Oxnard Beach Park ('olołkoy Beach Park), a palm-tree-studded 60-acre wonderland of grassy rolling hills, beautiful dunes, winding bike paths, and a well-equipped playground. This gorgeous stretch of beach features free public barbecue areas, volleyball courts, skating, and jogging paths.

The park is located along the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route and offers an excellent resting place for traveling bicyclists. Enjoy sunbathing, kayaking, fishing, bodyboarding, and surfing.

If you’re traveling with children, they’ll love the playground and pirate ship jungle gym at Oxnard Beach Park ('olołkoy Beach Park). In addition to the parks’ great location, there are plenty of restaurants and attractions to visit at Channel Islands Harbor.

Getting Here

Pack up the car, fill up the cooler, and get ready to experience one of Oxnard’s best-kept secrets. Oxnard Beach Park ('olołkoy Beach Park) is located at 1601 S Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035.

Get Directions

Parking Fees:

• Cash Only
• $1 per hour
• $5 all-day

BEST TIME TO VISIT OXNARD STATE BEACH/MANDALAY STATE BEACH

While the park is pleasant all year round, the best time to visit is during spring or summer.

Know before you go:

• Kayaking: Year-Round
• Surfing: Intermediate-level waves throughout the year
• Beach Going and Sun Bathing: Summer, Spring, Fall
• Beachcombing: Year-Round
  

Bike the coast on the Pacific Coast Bike Route

Bring your bikes and hop on the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, a 1,800-mile path starting in Vancouver, British Columbia, and ending in Imperial Beach, California.

No bikes? No problem! Rent beach cruisers, surreys, tandem bikes, and more at Wheel Fun Rentals located outside Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach.

The best beach playground for kids

Watch the kids play on a pirate-themed playground while you grill burgers and hot dogs at one of the many picnic areas in the park. Enjoy a family volleyball tournament, or fly kites before taking a dip in the ocean to cool off.

SURFING: THE OXNARD SHORES

When it comes to surfing at Oxnard Shores, the waves are easiest to tame in the summertime as swells bypass Oxnard’s beaches through the Santa Barbara Channel. Oxnard Shores is a fairly exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf.

The beach tends to receive distant groundswells, and waves are typically head high to overhead. When timed right, it can be super glassy without a drop of water out of place.

OXNARD/MANDALAY BEACH SUNSET

Looking for a romantic place to watch the sunset? The rolling dunes are a perfect place to bring a blanket and cuddle together to see a glorious sunset behind the iconic Channel Islands.

Things to do near Oxnard State Beach/Mandalay State Beach

• Visit Channel Islands Harbor and rent a kayak or paddleboard and watch the wildlife.
• Escape to Channel Islands National Park for hiking, whale watching, and camping adventures.
• Celebrate a special occasion by renting an electric boat.

Explore the Channel Islands Maritime Museum to learn about Oxnard’s strange and unusual exhibitions, including Prisoner of War Bone Model Ships.

Related: Top Tips for Visiting the Channel Islands Harbor

Places to Eat + Drink near Oxnard Shores

The Shores Bar & Restaurant - Enjoy local and sustainable eats in Oxnard. Try the Mahi Mahi for dinner or onion rings if you’re in the mood for a snack. The Shores Bar & Restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.

Red Tandem Brewery - This award-winning brewery features eight taps, including the must-try 1st place winner Double C-Hag Double IPA. Red Tandem is located within walking distance from Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach. All beers are brewed on-site. Ask about their brewery tours.

Related: The Best Healthy Restaurants in Oxnard.

Amenities NEAR OXNARD/MANDALAY BEACH

Oxnard State Beach/Mandalay State Beach has a private parking lot that closes at dusk. This lot typically fills up quickly on weekends, but street parking is available.

Dogs are allowed on Mandalay Beach anytime as long as it's on a leash.

Bathrooms are available near the playground and also close at dusk. There are no lifeguards on duty and no showers.

This is a popular park for events. Oxnard Beach Park ('olołkoy Beach Park) has a covered group picnic area. (To book a reservation, click here or call 805-385-7946).

Wheelchair access to the beach: Go through the dunes to the beach at Rehab Point.

Open flames are not allowed at County beaches; this includes portable fire pits and portable grills.

Ventura County Harbor Patrol is the responsible agency for managing Silver Strand Beach and Hollywood Beach in Oxnard; if you have questions about rules and regulations for these beaches, please contact Ventura County Harbor Patrol at (805) 973-5959 or visit https://www.ventura.org/harbor-department/.