Visit the best beaches of Port Hueneme! Port Hueneme is a coastal city in Ventura County between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties. Port Hueneme overlooks the beautiful Channel Islands National Park, and the city includes a nice pier and green park at the beach that tourists can visit, stroll and enjoy. When walking along the beach near the pier, you will see the Hueneme Beach Sundial.
Next to the park is an entertainment venue featuring concerts, plays and events throughout the year. One special event focused on the city’s asset–its beach, is the annual celebration, Hueneme Beach Festival. It is usually held one weekend in August and includes a Sandcastle Contest, games, music, food vendor booths, and fun.
Home to the US Navy facilities in support of the naval air station at Point Mugu to the south and San Nicolas Island 60 miles offshore, Port Hueneme boasts the Construction Battalion, the Seabees, and one of 15 U.S. Navy museums, Seabee Museum. Visit the beautiful beaches of Port Hueneme and Central California here. Keep reading our Port Hueneme Travel guide 🙂
Port Hueneme Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Port Hueneme is from March to May or from September to November. Temperatures are fairly mild year-round, hovering in the 60s and 70s, but traveling in early spring or fall ensures you won’t be fighting crowds and rates will be less expensive. Summer welcomes most of the city’s annual events and it’s also peak season if you’re looking for a beach vacation, but you’ll have to contend with more crowds. If you’re traveling during the winter months, make sure to pack an umbrella because Santa Barbara sees most of its rainfall between December and February. No matter when you decide to visit, pack layers as the as morning and late evening temperatures tend to be much cooler than the daytime high.
Best Beaches of Port Hueneme
Hueneme Beach Park
Hueneme Beach Park is the pride of Port Hueneme. This 50-acre park offers: numerous picnic tables and BBQ pits, walking paths, the Alaska Air Flight 261 memorial sundial, a 24-hour fishing pier, sand volleyball courts, Surfside Seafood Snack Bar, and lifeguard protection.
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McGrath State Beach (Oxnard)
The state park and the adjacent Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve protect a large area of wetlands around the mouth of the Santa Clara River. Trails meander to the river’s edge for better viewing. At the south end of the state lands is another wetlands area behind the beach called McGrath Lake. The estuary and the lake are popular birding areas.
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Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach is the beach fronting the Ormond Wetlands and coastal farmlands near Oxnard in Ventura County. Ormond Beach fills a two mile gap between the city of Port Hueneme and the Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu. This is a well-known birding area with trails that follow a canal and the restored wetlands. The beach has a remote feel and is great for beachcombing or just for walking.
Silver Strand Beach
Silver Strand Beach offers beach goers world class surf, fishing, kayaking, long walks on white sandy beaches, cool to moderate water temperatures, and a family friendly atmosphere. Silver Strand Beach is a favorite among Oxnard locals and beach savvy tourists. The Silver Strand beach area also has nearby restaurants, hotels, and local attractions at the Channel Islands Harbor.
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Hollywood Beach
If you’re searching for a California classic golden beach, dunes, and pristine weather, look no further than Hollywood Beach. It’s a must-visit destination in Oxnard. The beach is vast, so there’s plenty of space to set up your beach tent or umbrella and build sandcastles along the shoreline with your kids. Add the Channel Islands Harbor to your visit, and you’re in for a memorable experience.
Best Port Hueneme Restaurants
Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine $11 -30
Delicious Brazilian seafood specialties served in a clay pot. Absolutely delightful clay pots of seafood with tantalizing sauces. Service is friendly and the location overlooks the Channel Islands Harbor. Telephone: 805-204-0970 Web: Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine
Toppers Pizza $11 – 30
Toppers Pizza Place has been winner of Best Pizza Category for both East and West Ventura County Every Year this Century! If you’re in Ventura County or Santa Clarita Valley, they will give you a great pizza experience. Telephone: 805-385-4444 Web: Toppers Pizza
Anaba Sushi $11 – 30
Love this place! Fish is super fresh and the sushi chefs know their stuff. Try the Chiriashi bowl, its wonderful. Big menu and the service is friendly. Telephone: 805-382-1230 Web: Anaba Sushi
Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina $11 – 30
All their dishes are delicious and very generous.Do not miss in their guacamole with hand made tortillas. The staff is super friendly. Very efficient. The coffee is really good too… have yours with a slice of the decadent chocolate cake. Telephone: 805-228-0912 Web: Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina
Yolanda’s Mexican Cafe $11 – 30
Yolanda’s Mexican Café is your fun, festive, casual neighborhood Mexican restauran. Enjoy a friendly atmosphere and authentic Mexican food. Experience a taste of tradition and enjoy from a wide selection of Yolanda’s award winning margaritas! Telephone: 805-985-1340 Web: Yolanda’s Mexican Cafe
Best Port Hueneme Nightlife
Beachcomber Tavern
This place is warm, friendly, inviting, with great drink selections from beer to wine. Also great for watching sports. There are cute things to find all over the bar…you’ll have to find out. Telephone: 805-832-4223 Web: Beachcomber Bar.
Sea Rounder
It’s dark and cozy… and perfect if you’re on a date! The cocktails are well crafted and delicious… AND they let you bring in the famous French dip sandwiches from Coops (the front establishment). Telephone: 805-487-3720 Web: Sea Rounder.
1901 Speakeasy
Offering in house-made craft infused cocktails, great local draft beers, fine wines, full food menu, along with house barrel aged whiskey plus much more. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday nights, with some of the finest musicians.Telephone: 805-486-6878 Web: 1901 Speakeasy
Rick’s Restaurant & Sports Lounge
Rick’s is exactly what you’d expect in a lounge/restaurant. Food is good and so is the service for both pick up and dine in. AND, they have free live entertainment on some weekends. Don’t expect the best food in town, but drop in and not regret your experience. Telephone: 805-389-9919 Web: Rick’s Restaurant & Sports Lounge
Rudder Room
Nice dive bar on the beach with super cheap drinks. The people there are friendly and fun to hang out with. Very friendly people and fun atmosphere. Telephone: 805-985-6096 Web: Rudder Room.
I had no idea Port Hueneme had such a variety of beaches! Ormond Beach sounds especially peaceful—do you think it’s easy enough to visit without a car, or would you recommend driving to explore all these beaches?
Great question! While Ormond Beach does feel wonderfully remote, it’s best reached by car since the trails and wetlands aren’t right in the main town area. Having a car also makes it easy to hop between beaches like Silver Strand and Hollywood Beach in the same day. If you don’t want to drive, Hueneme Beach Park by the pier is very walkable and has plenty to enjoy, but for a full beach-hopping experience, I’d definitely recommend a car.