Silver Strand Beach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map of Silverstrand Beach (area inside the red lines).
Map of Silverstrand Beach (area inside the red lines).

Silverstrand Beach is an isolated beach neighborhood located in the city of Oxnard, California. It is bounded on the south/southwest by the Pacific Ocean and the waters of the Channel Islands Harbor; on the east by the United States Navy Base at Port Hueneme and on the north by Fisherman's Wharf and Channel Islands Boulevard.

Silverstrand, simply and more commonly referred to as " The Strand", is a vibrant collection of post-war homes, apartment buildings and multi-million dollar waterfront mansions. There is one small commercial district centered around the intersection of Victoria Avenue / Roosevelt Boulevard, and San Nicholas Avenue / Melrose Drive. It is home to a small collection of restaurants, bars and surf shops.

Silverstrand is adjacent to Channel Islands Harbor, across which is Hollywood Beach, a once famous hang-out for movie stars during the silent films era. The harbor itself is located where much of the neighborhood of Hollwood by the Sea once stood. The remainder of Hollywood by the Sea is located adjacent to Silverstrand on the east side of Victoria Avenue / Roosevelt Boulevard.

Silverstrand Beach is also credited as being the birthplace of the Nardcore style of hardcore punk music. Oxnard was the epicenter of the early 1980s hardcore punk scene in Southern California, and most of its famous bands were from Silverstrand, most notable being Dr. Know, aggression, Stalag 13 and Ill Repute.

Silverstrand is also home to the Oxnard base of the United States Coast Guard and the National Weather Service Oxnard operation which covers Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County.

[edit] The Beach

Silverstrand Beach is over a mile long. Confrontations between surfers from out of the area and very common, and has given Silverstrand a reputation as being unfriendly to outsiders. The locals are known as the SSL -- Silverstrand Locals.

The Mural Wall at The Ship parking lot, Silverstrand Beach.
The Mural Wall at The Ship parking lot, Silverstrand Beach.

[edit] Points of Interest

  • Quincy Street Ltd. - a great place for ribs and dessert with the only full-service bar on the beach.
  • Big Daddy O's Beach BBQ & Catering
  • Pepe's - a little burrito and taco place.
  • Jetty Surf Cafe - a nice little breakfast and lunch place with a Hawaiian twist.
  • The Corner Store - a little convenience store.
  • The Beachcomber - a wine and beer bar.
  • Rudder Room - a bar across the channel via Water Taxi