Ormond Beach to the Port Hueneme Lighthouse
DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: Easy 6 miles RT with virtually no elevation gain/loss.
Our hike will start along Ormond Beach, “an 865-acre undeveloped beach in Oxnard that is off the beaten track. The beach is backed by acres of farmland and has an extensive dune structure.” It “also includes a salt marsh wetland preserve, mud flats, and a freshwater lagoon [and the] preserve is on the Pacific Flyway, a 2,000-mile migratory route providing habitat for birds between Alaska and Latin America.” We’ll then continue our hike in Port Hueneme Beach Park, “a well-maintained, landscaped park to the southeast of the 1,600-acre Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center.” The 50-acre park “has a wide sandy beach and a T-shaped recreational Pier that extends 1,240 feet out to sea [with] great views of the Ventura County coastline and the Channel Islands.”
PREPAREDNESS: Bring 2-3 liters/quarts of water (or other suitable liquid) and lunch/snack. Wear appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots) and be prepared for bright sunlight (sunglasses), heat (layers of clothing), and/or precipitation (rain gear). Hiking pole(s) and a camera might come in handy.
DIRECTIONS TO THE BEGINNING POINT OF THE HIKE AT THE SOUTH END OF ARNOLD ROAD IN OXNARD – NOTE: You should be at the location described below by 8:00 a.m.
- In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to Highway 23; then head south on Highway 23 to Highway 101 in Thousand Oaks.
- Drive “north” on Hwy 101 12.5 miles to the Las Posas Road exit in Camarillo.
- Then drive south (toward the ocean) 4.3 miles to Hueneme Road and turn right onto it.
- Head southwest on Hueneme Road, crossing Pacific Coast Highway at 2.3 miles.
- Then continue west on Hueneme Road 2.4 miles further to its junction on the left (ocean side) with Arnold Road.
- Turn left on Arnold Road and drive 1.85 miles to its south end (near the beach).
- Park and wait for the hiking leader(s).