Silver Strand Beach
Encyclopedia
Oxnard, California
Oxnard is the 113th largest city in the United States, 19th largest city in California and largest city in Ventura County, California, by way of population. It is located at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain, and is an important agricultural center, with its distinction as the...
, United States, that separates Channel Islands Harbor
Channel Islands Harbor
Channel Islands Harbor is a combined shore-protection project and small craft harbor located at the southern end of the Santa Barbara Channel in the town of Oxnard, California. The US Army Corps of Engineers formed the harbor in 1960 by scooping out sand dunes and wetlands and depositing the...
to the north from the Port of Hueneme to the south. The eastern side of the beach is entirely composed of the Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme
Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme
Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme is the West Coast homeport of the Navy’s Seabees . Port Hueneme , supports the training and mobilization requirements for more than 2,600 active-duty personnel. The CBC also operates Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme...
. The harbors and the Naval base almost completely surround Silver Strand, keeping the area relatively separate from the rest of Oxnard and making it accessible by only one main road. Because of its location near an open water trench, it is common to see a large array of marine life including dolphins, seals, and jellyfish.
Silver Strand is also home to the Oxnard Base of the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
Oxnard operation which covers Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County.
Silverstrand
Silver Strand, commonly referred to as "The Strand", is a collection of mostly post-WW II single family homes, some Multi-Family homes, and some newer homes directly on the beach. There are two small zoned commercial districts. The main commercial district is centered around Roosevelt Boulevard and consists of a collection of small restaurants, a yoga studio, and a few real estate offices other small businesses. The second commercial zone is located at the south end of the beach and features a local pub with occasional live music.The Population of Silver Strand is 3,315. Median Household income is $71,850 with a per capita income $42,974. Median age is 39. The population is 89% White Non-Hispanic.
Proper Name
Silver Strand is known by numerous different names and spelling. When the name was created as part of the Hollywood Beach subdivision in 1924 it was spelled as one word Silverstrand. However, in the Ventura county coastal zoning ordinance the area is referred to with two words Silver Strand. It also known as Channel Islands Beach.History
The Silver Strand Beach community dates back to 1924 when the Hollywood Beach subdivision was initiated in unincorporated Ventura County. Silver Strand was mapped in 1925, and Hollywood by the Sea in 1926. Hollywood by the Sea is located adjacent to Silver Strand on the east side of Victoria Avenue / Roosevelt Boulevard. The harbor, which was constructed in the 1960s, is located where much of Hollywood by the Sea once stood.Shipwreck
In 1970, the declining luxury cruise liner La Jenelle had been anchored off Silverstrand awaiting investments for reconditioning. On April 13 strong winds pushed the ship near the entrance of the Port of Hueneme. With only two crewmen aboard, they were unable to keep the wind and high waves from pushing the boat onto a sand bar near the beach where the ship capsized. Since the boat was well over 50 years old, it was abandoned by its owners and quickly started disintegrating in the surf. To prevent injury, the navy cut the exposed top off the boat and then filled hull and surrounding area with rocks and sand. This created a breakwaterBreakwater (structure)
Breakwaters are structures constructed on coasts as part of coastal defence or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.-Purposes of breakwaters:...
for the port as well as a popular fishing spot on the south end of the beach. Parts of the deck and hull are still visible from the south jetty and a full length view of the of the ship can be seen from the ocean.
Beach
Silver Strand Beach is a one mile long sandy beach running 150 yds in width. It is capped by the north and south jetties which both have small parking lots and limited restroom facilities. The coast is a sandy bottom beach break which can sometimes feature rip tides and an undertow. Lifeguards are on duty every day during the summer and off duty from Sept to May.
Localism
The area's insulated setting and blue collar/Naval history contributes to a reputation for localismLocalism (politics)
Localism describes a range of political philosophies which prioritize the local. Generally, localism supports local production and consumption of goods, local control of government, and promotion of local history, local culture and local identity...
among Silver Strand's surfers. The Silver Strand locals, often referred to as SSL, have gained a near mythical status in California's surfing culture and have been featured in surfer magazine and the documentary The Swell Life.
Music and entertainment
Silver Strand Beach is credited as being the birthplace of the NardcoreNardcore
Nardcore is a hardcore punk movement that came out of Southern California in the early 1980s, originating in Silver Strand Beach, Oxnard and Port Hueneme. Early bands in the Nardcore scene included Agression, Dr. Know, False Confession, Ill Repute, Habeas Corpus, RKL, Stalag 13 and Scared Straight...
style of hardcore punk music. Oxnard was the epicenter of the early 1980s hardcore punk scene in Southern California, and many of its founding genre bands were from Silverstrand, most notable being Dr. Know
Dr. Know (band)
Dr. Know is a punk band which began as a Nardcore band and now has roots in Los Angeles, CA.They are one of the founding figures of the "Nardcore" punk movement from Oxnard, CA. The band was started by Kyle Toucher, Ismael Hernandez, and Robin Cartwright in early 1981, and after auditioning a few...
, Stalag 13 and Ill Repute
Ill Repute
Ill Repute is an American hardcore punk band from Oxnard, California, formed in 1981. They are noted for popularizing the "Nardcore" sound in the mid-1980s hardcore punk scene, and recorded for Mystic Records....
.
Points of interest
- Quincy Street Ltd. - Dinner restuaraunt with a full bar
- Big Daddy O's Beach BBQ & Catering... exquisite burgers!
- Pepe's - rockin' burrito and taco stand
- Jetty Surf Cafe - a nice little sushi/japanese place with a Hawaiian twist
- The Corner Store - convenience store.
- The Beachcomber - a wine and beer bar which features live music
- Yoga Channel - all levels of classes, including a sunday morning community class