The 50-acre Hueneme Beach Park (ci.port-hueneme.ca.us) is the heart of the small town. A grassy area leads to the pier and the stretch of sand where there's plenty of space to enjoy the beach, swim and surf in designated spots. Fishing is legal off the pier, with a license. Walking paths weave through the area and there are swing-sets for kids. Picnic tables and barbecue grills are spread throughout the park. There are restrooms with outdoor shower areas to wash the sand off. Bring a jacket; the area can be breezy. You'll pay for parking and food at several concession stands. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends from Memorial Day weekend through mid-June, then daily lifeguard service continues through Labor Day. Lifeguards use a flag system to let you know about ocean conditions -- a green flag flying from the lifeguard tower means it's safe to go in the water, and a red flag means no swimming.
To escape crowds in summer, head north of Hueneme Beach Park and discover Channel Islands Beach and Silver Beach. It's a hidden strip of sand with no amenities, but you can walk, sunbathe or play in the water. Access the area and park in a pay lot off of Ocean Avenue. If you have young children in tow, walk about one block north to Kiddie Beach Park, where you'll find the calm water of the marina. The little ones can dig in the sand and wade in the gentle waves. There are restrooms available. There are no lifeguards on duty at these beaches.
Oxnard Beach Park has wheelchair access -- through the dunes to a place on the point to view the ocean and Channel Islands (visitoxnard.com). On the sand, you'll find volleyball courts, and you can also swim and play in the waves here. Adjacent to the beach is a grassy area where a lot of people fly kites. The kids' play area has swings and climbing equipment. Other amenities include picnic and barbecue areas and restrooms. Park rules allow dogs on leashes. The beach is in Oxnard, across the marina that is adjacent to Port Hueneme. Signs are posted at the beach that there are no lifeguards on duty.
For more of a Southern California beach experience, take the Pacific Coast Highway about 10 miles south to Point Mugu State Park (parks.ca.gov). The wide sandy beaches are good for swimming, body surfing or fishing in the ocean. In the park, above the waves, you can camp overnight and hike through more than 70 miles of trails. In addition to ocean views from rugged terrain, there are two seasonal waterfalls. Lifeguards patrol the beaches in vehicles during the winter; during the summer season, they are in lifeguard towers on the sand.
