Surfer's Article

Silver Strand, an isolated beach community that's sandwiched between the Channel Islands Harbor and the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center, is the pride of Oxnard.

Fly a small plane over the Strand and you'll see why the beach is such a valuable resource: it sticks out like a giant catcher's mitt for all wintertime swell activity. The Strand is consistently the best spot in Ventura County between the months of October and March. Strand is divided into three main peaks:

The Jetty
Mushier, longer rights and short, steeper lefts that break off the north end of the Strand. It's a popular spot for longboarders and tends to get the most size when the swell's more west. There's a parking lot for suckers in front of the break.

The Bowl
The center stage of Silver Strand. When it's howling Santa Anas with a 6-foot northwest swell running, you'll think you've died and gone to Puerto. The Bowl is also the most heavily guarded peak on the beach, so bring an extra set of FCS fins if you plan on going shoulder-to-shoulder with the boys.

The Ship
Named after the ship La Janelle that was dry-docked in front of the break on April 13, 1970. It created a flawless sandbar for weeks. The ship's gone now, but the sandbar remains. It's a wedgy left that peaks off the southern jetty and reels down toward the Bowl. The Ship is your best bet to catch one of WCT star Timmy Curran's air shows, which run at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily when the tour's at a halt.

There are a few options in Silver Strand -- Quincy Ltd., Tastebud's Cafe, Big Daddy O's Beach BBQ -- but one spot reigns supreme: Pepe's takeout Mexican food, where the three-way burrito combo still goes for only $2.10.

To get beachside accommodations in Oxnard, you have two options: Daniel Boone or Donald Trump. McGrath State Beach (five miles north) is a popular camping area at the base of the Santa Clara Rivermouth. Rates are 14 bucks on weeknights and 18 bucks on weekends. Call 800-444-7275 for reservations. For the creature of comfort, the Embassy Suites (just south of Oxnard Shores) is a plush resort yards from shore. Rooms start at $159 per night, and all you get for that is a view of the plastic trees. Call 800-362-2779 for reservations.

Oxnard's a farmer's town, named after the family who started a sugar beet factory in the area back at the turn of the 20th century. That being said, it's a far cry from the artsy fartsy districts of Santa Barbara and Laguna. But Oxnard isn't completely devoid of high culture. The Carnegie Art Museum, featuring more than 350 paintings, drawings and photographs from noteworthy American artists, is worth a visit. Call 805-385-8157 for more info. Every May, the town rallies around the Strawberry Festival, a local carnival celebrating the season's new crop. Call 888-288-9242 for more. And if you want to go Tara Lipinsky on your traveling comrades, hit up the Oxnard Ice Skating Center (805-988-4440). We're not recommending this (and you're paying a fine if you get caught), but if none of the above is up your alley, you might want to do what the locals do for kicks: make sure the path is clear and take a 50-foot dive off the overpass into the Channel Islands Harbor.

The Sport Port, 2323 Roosevelt, Oxnard, 805-985-5243

McCrystal Surfboard Factory, 1851 Sunkist Circle, Oxnard, 805-604-1818

Revolution Surf Co., 330 N. Lantana, Camarillo, 805-383-1288

Val Surf, 3055 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805-497-1166