Mandalay State Beach, State beach in Oxnard, United States.
Mandalay State Beach is a protected stretch of California coastline in Oxnard, featuring a sandy shore, open dunes, and wetland areas. Trails cross the site and connect the different natural zones, making it possible to move from the beach to the inland wetlands on foot.
The beach became part of the California State Park system in 1985, at a time when coastal land in the region was under pressure from urban growth. That decision secured one of the last largely undeveloped stretches of shoreline in Ventura County.
The beach sits between a power plant and a residential neighborhood, giving it an unusual setting that visitors notice right away. People walk the trails mainly to watch coastal birds resting or nesting in the wetland areas nearby.
The beach is reached by road along the coast, with parking near Mandalay Beach Road. The trails through the dune and wetland areas can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
Sections of the beach are fenced off during the nesting season to protect two threatened bird species, the Least Tern and the Snowy Plover, which breed here. These temporary fenced areas are a visible sign of the ongoing effort to manage wildlife within an otherwise open public beach.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
