McGrath State Beach
- Status
- Temporarily closedDaily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(805) 585-1850
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
McGrath State Beach is a 308-acre beach in Ventura County, about 3 miles northwest of Oxnard.
Visitors come for surfing, historic sites, swimming, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Day Use | $10 |
Official wording
Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use: $10.00
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: beach.
Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
McGrath State Beach is one of the best bird-watching areas in California, with the lush riverbanks of the Santa Clara River and sand dunes along the shore. Two miles of beach provide surfing and fishing opportunities, however, swimmers are urged to use caution because of strong currents and riptides. The park offers campsites by the beach.
Overnight facilities: Tent Camping, Group Campsites, Hike-and-Bike Campsites, RV Dump Station, RV Access
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
FishingHistoric sites and toursRanger and interpretive programsSwimmingWildlife viewing and birdingSurfingGeocachingCamping
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Nature center or museum
- Parking
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Over 200 species of birds have been cited at McGrath State Beach, making it one of the best bird-watching areas in California State Parks. Note that portions of the park, including campsites and the parking area, are subject to periodic flooding from the nearby Santa Clara River. The park is off Highway 101 on Harbor Boulevard five miles south of Ventura. Phone 805-654-4744 or 805-654-4610.
Camping
There are 12 paved sites that may be usable, including some with accessible tables. Assistance may be required to get water spigots and trash disposal. Restroom stalls are too small for wheelchairs, but have grab bars and may be usable for some persons. Showers are not wheelchair accessible.
Trails
Nature Trail. A .2 mile nature trail leading to an overlook of the Santa Clara River is generally accessible. Surface is a combination of hardened earth and boardwalk. Free descriptive brochures (including large font) available at entrance station.Trailhead is at northwest corner of parking lot, with accessible parking available. Usable restroom in campground.
Beach/Shore Access
Beach wheelchair is available. Call (805) 648-3321 in advance to reserve one.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 2211 Harbor Blvd
Oxnard, CA 93035 - Nearest town
- Oxnard — about 3 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.2210, -119.2556
- Phone
- (805) 585-1850
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The beach is 5 miles south of Ventura off Highway 101 via Harbor Boulevard.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: The Santa Clara River estuary - McGrath State Beach - 2018.jpg — Public domain (US federal government work), USFWS Pacific Southwest Region
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology