McGrath State Beach

Note that McGrath has been flooding since 2019 and is closed until California State Parks can do the necessary repairs to keep the land in the campground dry.

McGrath State Beach is a two-mile long sandy beach between Oxnard and Ventura, California. The state park and adjacent Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve protect a large area of wetlands around the mouth of the Santa Clara River. Trails with interpretive signs meander to the river’s edge for better viewing of the estuary.

At the south end of the state lands between two industrial areas there’s another wetland behind the beach called McGrath Lake. The estuary and the lake are popular bird-watching areas.

There is a campground at McGrath State Beach for overnight visitors to the park. The area is subject to flooding and exposed to winter storms so the campground is frequently closed. Call ahead or check the state park website to verify the facilities are open.

Unfortunately, there is no day-use parking area on-site, so if you are not camping then walk north from Mandalay State Beach or south from Surfer’s Knoll Beach. Another beach access that local fishermen use is the gated road south of the campground entrance. This road is signed State 735 Tank Battery and “private property” but this doesn’t stop the locals who park across the main road.

The campground entrance is on North Harbor Boulevard between W Gonzales Road and Olivas Park Drive in Oxnard.

Address

2211 N Harbor Blvd
Oxnard, CA 93036

Park Name

McGrath State Beach, Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve

Owner

State Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Fee for parking

Activities

Birdwatching, Fishing, Surfing, Camping, Beachcombing

Amenities

Campground, Trails, Dunes, Wetlands

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart