Similar to its neighbors Ventura and Malibu, while the snorkeling in Oxnard may not be the best, it provides a sufficient environment for one to experience the California underwater.
Drive north from Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway and Oxnard, the largest city in Ventura County, will be the first stop on your route. A city primarily known for its agriculture, Oxnard and its neighbor Port Hueneme, cover the southern coastline of Pierpoint Bay. While Oxnard’s resort zone is not as developed as that of its neighbor Ventura, it nonetheless has beautiful beaches and a warm, welcoming community. It also serves as the gateway to the Channel Islands National Park, an ecological wonderland teeming with diverse flora and fauna and one of California’s best snorkeling and diving spots.
If you plan on staying in the Oxnard area but do not intend to make the trek out to Channel Islands, there are still several recreational activities that are available nearby. Some of the finest beaches in Southern California, including Surfers Point, Emma Wood State Beach, and San Buenaventura State Beach, are only minutes away. And while those looking to go snorkeling in Oxnard may realize that the underwater environment here may not be ideal, spots such as Emma Wood State Beach provide a great representation of the typical California coast with kelp forests, garibaldis, little critters, and more.
Oxnard Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Fair. Not murky but nothing special.
- Current Strength: Above Average to Strong. Southern California is surfer’s world with strong north swells from Alaska. Always be careful out on the California coast.
- Reef Presence: California Pacific Coast is too cold to maintain corals, but it is heavily populated with kelp forests, which function as a key part of the habitat for marine life. Snorkeling in Oxnard is essentially an intense tour of kelps.
- Marine Life: Some fishes swimming around, most notably the California state fish Garibaldi. There are critters along the bottom of the ocean but very rare to find bigger creatures in these areas.
- Crowd: Usually very thin crowd as most flock to Malibu while others prefer Ventura.
Getting There:
Closest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- LAX is located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles on the western end of the city. Given the enormous traffic on the 405 and PCH, it will probably take about 45 minutes to an hour to get to Malibu from the airport. But there is no shortage of connections to anywhere on the planet, let alone the country, if you fly into one of the busiest airports in the world. The alternative would be Hollywood Burbank Airport, which serves northern Los Angeles, and while a bit further the time wouldn’t be too different.
Closest Major Metro: Los Angeles
- Los Angeles is the mecca of southern California. It is never boring in the City of Angels, whether you want to check out the shining lights of Hollywood or enjoy the beaches of Malibu. Its proximity to famous resort destinations, such as Newport Beach or Catalina Island, means visitors can enjoy relaxing environments without venturing too far from Disneyland. If you can’t pack your schedule while in Los Angeles, you don’t know how to travel.
Best Transportation Method to Destination: Fly into LAX and rent a car
Introduction
Oxnard is located in the center of the Oxnard Plains, a fertile agricultural area known for its abundant crops of strawberries, lima beans and other vegetables. Together with its sister city to the north, Ventura, they form the main metropolitan area of Ventura County, which contains major oil fields, such as Oxnard Oil Field and the West Montalvo Oil Field, that have spurred the economy of the region. The diverse landscape of the county, including Channel Islands off the coast, miles of sandy beaches, and majestic hills to the north, frame a setting which creates a sense of serenity and tranquility.
Given its background as a farming town, Oxnard is typically not known as a vacation spot. Rather, many know it as a major gateway to Channel Islands while some may recognize it as the training camp location for the Dallas Cowboys. For those looking to enjoy the California sun, Oxnard has a small strip of coastline which includes several fantastic beaches, which includes McGrath State Beach, Oxnard State Beach, and Silver Strand Beach. These shores are more than enough to keep travelers occupied during their stay in this diverse town.
Where to Go Snorkeling in Oxnard
The beaches in Oxnard are great options for travelers to enjoy walking on the beach, fishing, surfing, or swimming. But most of these beaches, which face Pierpoint Bay, have sandy bottoms with maybe a few kelps minimal marine life around. In addition, there is significant boat traffic by the Oxnard Pier which people have to be aware of. The best places to go snorkeling in Oxnard is to go away from all the traffic, in the north, especially Emma Wood State Beach, which is just up the road few miles north from downtown.
Emma Wood State Beach
The beach is very accessible, right off Highway 101 which is the main artery connecting Ventura County to Santa Barbara, with ample parking over a half mile stretch on the coast. From the main beach, swim out to the ocean and you will notice the clumps of kelp floating underwater. Dive in and experience some kelp, these swaying plants which provide habitat for marine life, but be careful not to get tangled in it. The marine life is not abundant here, far from it, but you may see some small fishes, mostly garibaldis, and critters at the bottom. Make sure to always be aware of your surroundings while snorkeling in Oxnard as the swells can get strong at times.
Final Word:
Oxnard is the heart of Ventury County, the gateway to adventures in north Southern California, from Channel Islands to the vineyards of Santa Barbara. This agricultural town north of Los Angeles with a diverse landscape can be a great weekend getaway for folks in the area or a quick stop for visitors. While the snorkeling in Oxnard may not be ideal, it presents a similar experience as Malibu, representing the California marine habitat to its fullest. Be sure to check out at least one of these locations to truly experience the beauty underneath the California coast!
Snorkeling in Oxnard Rating: 2/5 Snorkels – Decent!
