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Oxnard, California

Oxnard, California is home to some of the best trails and outdoor activities. A must-visit is the Channel Islands Harbor, a scenic waterfront featuring boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding. For hikers, the Santa Clara River Trail is a top choice. This 8-mile trail offers views of unique rock formations, the flowing Santa Clara River, and abundant birdlife. It's an easy to moderate hike, making it suitable for families. If you're a fan of birdwatching, McGrath State Beach is a top spot, housing over 245 bird species. For beach lovers, Silver Strand Beach is a gem with its pristine sand and clear waters. Enjoy swimming, surfing, or a relaxing beach walk. Oxnard is indeed a hub for outdoor adventures.

Top Spots in and near Oxnard

  • Ventura, California

    Backpack to Del Norte Campground on Santa Cruz Island

    5.0
    7 mi / 700 ft gain
    Del Norte Backcountry Campground is located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the islands that makes up Channel Islands National Park. It is California's largest island and is almost three times the size of Manhattan. The easiest way to get to the island is to take Island Packers, a ferry service that...
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  • Ventura, California

    Stand Up Paddleboard the Ventura Harbor

    The Ventura Harbor provides a protected entry/exit to the Pacific Ocean and is a great place to start a paddleboarding adventure.  Marina Park, at the end of Pierpont Boulevard, has a ton of parking, a free public launch, and there are boards to rent along the harbor. From the launch you can head...
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  • Ventura, California

    Hike Arroyo Verde Park

    3.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    Arroyo Verde Park is a small parked tucked in the hills above Ventura, California, and has a network of trails running up and down the hills surrounding the valley in the center of the park. The entrance to the park is at the intersection of Foothill Road Day Road, east of downtown Ventura. There...
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  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Ventura Promenade

    0.5 mi / 0 ft gain
    The Ventura Promenade is a .5 mile long biking and walking trail that runs from the Ventura Pier to Sufer's Point, eventually connecting to the Ventura River & Ojai Bike Trail. It is also part of the the larger "Omer Rains Trail" which runs some 3.5 miles to the south through Buenaventura Sta...
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  • Ventura, California

    Surf Ventura Point

    4.0
    Surfer’s Point, off Figueroa Street, includes one of California’s premier surfing and windsurfing spots. A landscaped promenade and the Omer Rains Bike Trail connect this sandy beach to the Ventura Pier. Promenade Park, next to the beach commemorates the site of an ancient Chumash village. Beach ...
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  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Ventura, Santa Paula, and Ojai Loop

    48.8 mi / 2081 ft gain
    The Ventura - Ojai - Santa Paul loop is a classic half-century loop throughs some of the most beautiful cycling roads on the Central Coast. Beginning in Ventura and heading on the off-road (but paved) Ventura / Ojai trails, this loop then heads into downtown Ojai before following Ojai Valley Road...
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  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Rincon Trail

    5.0
    28.4 mi / 720 ft gain
    The Rincon Trail between Ventura and Santa Barbara is part of the wonderful Pacific Coast Bike Route, and features two-wave paved cycling lanes with beautiful views up and down the central coast. There are numerous places to stop along the way for food and relaxing, including the great seaside to...
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  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Lake Casitas Loop

    1.0
    48.9 mi / 3635 ft gain
    The Lake Casitas Loop s a fantastic cycling trail leading from Ventura, California through Ventura Canyon, around Lake Casitas and up over Casitas Pass, down through Rincon Canyon to the ocean and south on Rincon Trail back to Ventura. It covers almost all of the ecological zones and topographica...
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  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Ventura River and Ojai Bike Trails

    32.6 mi / 1030 ft gain
    The Ventura River and Ojai Valley Trail, effectively the same trail, is a gorgeous 32 mile trail that runs from Seaside Park in Ventura to downtown Ojai. It runs along and across the Ventura River and through the Ventura Canyon, with views up and down numerous side canyons and ravines. The trail ...
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  • Ventura, California

    Kiteboard Surfer's Point

    Surfer's Point aka Ventura Point is a well-known kite boarding/surfing (and surfing) spot due to its (when conditions are right) great wave quality, favorable wind direction (sideshore with occasional side-off), friendly locals, rider capacity, and a nearby point break with. When conditions are e...
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  • Malibu, California

    Hike Point Mugu Peak

    4.5
    2 mi / 1250 ft gain
    Point Mugu State Park offers some amazing rolling mountains, sweeping meadows of tall grass, and beautiful coastal views. I suggest going in the spring. I recently went, and the wildflowers were blooming everywhere. There are campgrounds available in different parts of the park that you can make ...
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  • Malibu, California

    Hike Mugu Peak Loop via Chumash Trail

    5.0
    6.5 mi / 1255 ft gain
    From the parking lot at the trailhead, follow the steep trail going up the mountain. This part is quite challenging, so I recommend stretching out your legs before starting the hike. Once you reach the top, you will see your first junction. Go right if you want to go straight for the peak, and th...
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  • Malibu, California

    La Jolla Valley Walk-In Camps

    5.0
    10.58 mi / 2146 ft gain
    Hello Friends! I just took a really chill overnight backpacking trip to the La Jolla Valley Backcountry campsite and I’m going to give you some details so you can have as nice of an outing as I did! The trailhead is conveniently just off of the Pacific Coast Highway, across the street from the T...
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  • Malibu, California

    La Jolla Canyon Falls

    1.75 mi / 449 ft gain
    ...I think out of all the State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Mugu State Park is without a doubt the best one. Maybe it has something to do with its proximity to the beach, or the endless trails and epic views, but the energy and diversity here is just so much more wild. With the par...
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  • Emma Wood State Beach, California

    Surf Emma Wood State Beach

    3.0
    Park your car along the famous Pacific Coast Highway and watch the waves roll in. Go out surfing, kiteboarding, swimming, or kayaking. Emma Wood State Beach is a fairly exposed beach and reef break that has reliable surf. Summer offers the most-favored conditions for surfing.  Both breaks get cro...
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  • Malibu, California

    Camp at Thornhill Broome State Beach

    5.0
    Take PCH through Malibu towards Oxnard and the campground will be on your left. There is no day use here and you can drive right to your campsite.During the summer, make reservations or arrive really early to nab a site. Spaces can fill up quickly.There is access to a hiking trail across PCH.
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Camping and Lodging in Oxnard

Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday
Santa Paula, California

Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday

Wheeler Gorge
Ojai, California

Wheeler Gorge

Holiday Group Campground
Ojai, California

Holiday Group Campground

Santa Cruz Scorpion
Smugglers Road

Santa Cruz Scorpion

Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Ventura, California

Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry

Anacapa Island
Ventura, California

Anacapa Island

Guides, Insights and Stories from Oxnard

Velo Ventura: The 5 Best Cycling and Mountain Biking Trails in the Heart of the Central Coast

Velo Ventura: The 5 Best Cycling and Mountain Biking Trails in the Heart of the Central Coast

Josiah Roe

By Land & Sea: 72 Hours in Ventura, California

By Land & Sea: 72 Hours in Ventura, California

Josiah Roe

The Galapagos of California

The Galapagos of California

Kyle Frost

Boats, Backpacks and Booze: Why You Should Try Island Backpacking

Boats, Backpacks and Booze: Why You Should Try Island Backpacking

Kristen Fuller

11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Hike Channel Islands National Park

11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Hike Channel Islands National Park

Katie Y

One Ideal Day on Santa Cruz Island

One Ideal Day on Santa Cruz Island

Leigh Maneri