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Ultimate Family Destination: Best Beaches in Oxnard, CA with Kids

People all over the country visit Oxnard frequently for its beautiful beaches. These beaches feature fine sands and lovely landscapes. Traveling to these beaches from Los Angeles doesn’t take very long either. After all, the city of Oxnard is only 60 miles away from Los Angeles.

Therefore, these beaches are pretty convenient for a weekend getaway, though many wonder whether they can bring their children.

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Best Beaches in Oxnard, California for Families

The good news is that there are many family-friendly beaches in Oxnard. You can plan a trip to these beaches on your next vacation with your family. We’ve also included some family travel tips for you to have a great time at Oxnard’s beaches.

Kiddie Beach Park

This beach park is the ideal place to take your kids to when you next visit Oxnard. This beach is in the Channel Islands Harbor and is close to the Silver Strands beach. The reason we recommend this beach for kids is that it doesn’t have large waves lapping across its shores

So, you can take your little ones with you to this beach and allow them to dip their toes in the ocean. You can even bring your dog along to this beach, which is another reason why it’s perfect for families with kids.

But, if you’re getting your pooch along, remember to keep them on a leash at all times. The beach has several facilities to help your kids stay safe during their time there.

aerial view of kiddie beach park oxnard ca

These facilities include a lifeguard on duty during the summer months. There are also enough public restrooms and a parking lot with free parking for a large number of families.

With these basics taken care of, it’s easy to see why parents can relax at this beach with their kids. There are also plenty of dining options at this beach for visitors to choose from.

You can take your kids sunbathing to this beach during summer and spring. It’s pretty warm at the beach during fall as well. Sunbathing in fall can be a great experience too.

There are also fun beach activities your kids can enjoy during all times of the year. These activities aren’t too dangerous, which makes them ideal for kids.

You can take your kids kayaking, beach-combing, and paddle boarding at this beach. The ocean water at this beach has more protection from harsh weather than most other beaches. The location of this beach makes it ideal to visit before Silver Strands beach.

Looking for a fun activity? Take a whale watching tour. During the summer months, you can find blue whales in the waters just off the coast of Oxnard. Gray whales are also frequent visitors to these waters. You might even see dolphins on your tour! Trips often leave out of the Channel Islands Harbor.

Mandalay Beach

Mandalay beach is another great beach to visit with your kids over the holidays. It’s pretty much a beachfront oasis with exciting activities for the whole family. You can even spot soft sand dunes at this beach with great views of the Channel Islands National Park

Also, this beach is close to tier beaches like the Oxnard Beach Park. There are free public areas at the Mandalay Beach for great outings for your family. These areas include barbecue areas, volleyball courts, and more.

There are also several jogging areas lining the beach. You can use these tracks to get in your workout during the day. One of the best features of this beach is that it’s pretty deserted. So, you won’t find it very crowded even during peak times during the year.

There are even wetlands here between the Oxnard shores and a power generation plant. Another great feature of this beach is that it’s ideal for birding. You’ll find some areas of the beach sealed off to protect the local bird life. The Snowy Plover is one bird that’s often observed here. Your kids are sure to enjoy their experience with bird watching here. 

mandalay beach walkway oxnard

This beach is also great for those who want to fish or surf. The waters here aren’t very rough, so fishing is a great option if you want to go with your family. But, note that Mandalay Beach doesn’t have as many facilities as its surrounding beaches do. But, there are enough activities to keep your kids entertained during their visit here.

Beachcombing and beach walking are some of the activities you’re sure to find relaxing. But. Remember that dogs aren’t allowed on this beach. So, if you want to take your pet along with you, Kiddie Beach Park is the better option among the two.

Hollywood Beach

Hollywood Beach is another great beach for those looking to enjoy a scenic landscape. This beach is famous for its golden dunes and great weather. So, if you want to catch a break with your kids from your hectic city life, it’s perfect to visit.

This beach is so-named because it attracts a host of Hollywood celebrities every year. Among its many great features are the large open spaces it has that are perfect for picnics.

You can pitch a large umbrella or sunbathe with your kids at this holiday hotspot. You can even visit the Channel Islands Harbor during your visit to the beach. Your kids will love seeing the fishing boats and other activities at the harbor.

This beach is also perfect if you want to show your kids some great oceanic wildlife. It isn’t uncommon to see dolphins and sea lions at this beach. Don’t let your kids get too close to large creatures that often lie on the shore for hours during the day.

sandy beach with water and crowds of people Hollywood Beach

Some activities at the beach are available the whole year round. These activities include beachcombing and swimming. Other activities at Hollywood beach are available during certain times of the year.

Like most other beaches at Oxnard, Hollywood Beach has great activities for families. So, if you want a great family traveling experience, you should plan your activities well. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go surfing with your little ones. But, if you’d rather relax, you can take a leisurely walk across the shore.

You can even sunbathe during the fall, summer, and spring months. It isn’t too hot at this beach at any time during the year so sunbathing will be a pleasant experience.

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beach scenes with sand and water

Oxnard State Beach Park

This is among the most popular beaches in Southern California and for good reason. This beach is on a large expanse of soft sands along the Oxnard shoreline. This beach is close to both Hollywood Beach and Mandalay Beach. These beaches are pretty accessible from here.

This beach is great for kids because it has large open spaces and palm trees to provide shade. You could spend all day at this beach with your family and you’ll find plenty of fun activities to occupy everyone.

walkway with palm trees at oxnard beach
Photo by Brittney-Hendricks

There are areas for barbecue and picnic tables as well across the beach. So, you can sit down with your family and grab a bite to eat whenever you need to. There are also long walking paths for you to go along and enjoy the scenery.

Kids usually love this park because it has a pirate-themed playground. There are also stunning views of the Channel Islands here. Soaking in these views will help you enjoy the beauty of Southern California.

road trip beach packing list
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The paths leading to the dunes wind up back at the beach where there are several benches to relax in. There are also lots of public parking spaces available if you want to spend the day at the beach. If you don’t find parking here during peak times, don’t fret.

You could also park at the nearby Mandalay Beach or Sunset Lane. To keep your kids entertained, you could even take them to the basketball court at Neptune square. There’s a volleyball court there too.

Conclusion

These beaches are popular weekend spots for families on vacation. It doesn’t cost too much money to travel to these beaches, which is what makes them great for a free family vacation.

If you’re planning a Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip, Oxnard is a great stop along the route. In addition to beaches, there is a lot for families to do here. Always plan your trip well so you can have a hassle-free experience. Also, remember to consider which beach your kids are likely to enjoy spending time at the most.

Oxnard beaches have facilities for year-round activities. So, these beaches are good for families with kids. Your children won’t find themselves sitting idle for a minute if you decide to visit any of these beaches. Besides, these beaches have many spots for you to relax in as well.

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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