Best Beaches in Ventura County, Plus 1: Zuma Beach

The best beaches in Ventura County are the ones that fit the day you want: a neighborhood walk, room for sandcastles, a picnic by the coast, or time watching the waves. You have several different choices around Ventura and Oxnard.

We have added one favorite outside the county, too: Zuma Beach in Malibu, Los Angeles County. It is a useful option for guests staying in our rural West Malibu homes around Deer Creek, as well as anyone planning a day along that part of the coast.

All our homes in Ventura and Oxnard are walkable to the beach. Our West Malibu homes have a different rural setting, so ask about the route from the particular house when planning an outing.

Pierpont Beach: make the neighborhood part of your stay

Pierpont is in the City of Ventura. It is the beach neighborhood where we host guests in homes and smaller beach lofts, making a morning walk or a shorter visit to the sand part of an ordinary vacation day.

Choose a home that suits the way you want to use the beach. A place nearby lets you head back for lunch, have a break, and decide later whether another walk sounds good. The City of Ventura’s beach information also covers the surrounding shoreline and Marina Park.

San Buenaventura State Beach: beach time with picnic space

San Buenaventura State Beach is a practical option when you want a beach visit with picnic facilities and room for a longer outing. It is in Ventura, with the pier and downtown waterfront part of the wider area you can explore.

It can suit a family whose plans are as much about sharing lunch and spending time outside as getting into the water. Check current facilities and parking information before setting out.

Hollywood Beach: oceanfront days beside the harbor area

On the west side of Channel Islands Harbor, Hollywood Beach in Oxnard offers a neighborhood beach setting. It is home to our oceanfront Great Wide Open and Chateau Rose in the Sand, while 1000 Star Gazer is two houses from the ocean.

If you want beach time to be central to the holiday, this is a neighborhood to consider. Add a harbor outing or a local meal when you feel like a change of pace. See the Harbor’s beaches and parks guide for the local shoreline.

Silver Strand: a beach-neighborhood holiday in Oxnard

Silver Strand is the Oxnard beach neighborhood on the other side of the harbor entrance from Hollywood Beach. Our homes here give you a walkable beach base with different layouts and gathering spaces to choose from.

A beach walk, time on the sand, and a meal back at the house can be plenty of a plan. The Harbor beach guide is useful for current details, while our Silver Strand family-stay guide helps you picture the neighborhood.

Oxnard Beach Park: a park-and-beach outing

‘olołkoy Beach Park, often still called Oxnard Beach Park, offers a different kind of outing, combining coastal access with a park setting. Paths, open space, and a playground give families choices beyond sitting on the sand.

This is a useful stop when some of the group wants a walk and others want time in the park. Check Visit Oxnard’s beach guide for the location and current visitor information.

Mandalay State Beach: a natural stretch of coast

Mandalay State Beach is a separate, undeveloped beach with dunes and wetland habitat. It is not the same place as Oxnard Beach Park, so use the correct destination when planning your visit.

Choose it for the natural setting rather than playground or picnic facilities. Bring what you need and check the park’s current access notices, including seasonal habitat protections.

Plus 1: Zuma Beach in Malibu

Zuma Beach is in Los Angeles County, but belongs on the list for guests exploring from West Malibu. Its broad sand and county facilities make it a practical choice for a traditional beach outing.

The county lists parking, restrooms, showers, and daytime lifeguard service. Compare the current arrangements with what your family needs. Zuma is an open-ocean beach, so let surf conditions and lifeguard advice guide time in the water.

For more options around Deer Creek, read our family beaches near West Malibu guide.

Choose your beach day, then enjoy the pace

You do not have to visit every beach. Try the one near your home, then choose another outing if you want different scenery or facilities. Bring an extra layer and leave enough time for a relaxed return.

If your dog is joining you, our dog-friendly Ventura County guide will help you choose an appropriate outing. For food and neighborhood ideas, browse Explore Ventura and Explore Oxnard.

Tell us who is coming, whether you are bringing a dog, and the details that matter to your family. Reach out to our Chic Beach Vacations team or browse our vacation homes. We are happy to help you choose.