Jetty for La Jenelle

Silver Strand Beach hike to La Jenelle Jetty

The La Jenelle was a 467-foot luxury cruise liner before retiring to Port Hueneme Harbor with plans to become a floating restaurant. Then a severe storm ripped her from her moorings, where she capsized and was battered beyond repair by the waves. This sad story has an interesting ending, though. The U.S. Navy dismantled the ship and incorporated a good deal of the wreckage into a breakwater at the southern end of Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard. Now, with a bit of rock scrambling, you can explore what’s left of La Jenelle’s rusty ruins, which are mostly built into the south-facing seaward portion of the breakwater. Incorporate this maritime exploration into a longer trek by walking the length of the beach, which extends for about a mile north of the jetty to the mouth of Channel Islands Harbor. Enjoy views of Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands before returning to your starting point near the breakwater. Colorful murals in the beach parking lot are worth checking out, too.

TIP: The ideal time for visiting is low tide, when more of the wreckage is exposed. Don’t go during inclement weather (rough surf makes it too dangerous to climb out onto the jetty.)

La Jenelle Beach is hemmed in by the restricted grounds of a large naval facility, so you will need to approach from the north as opposed to from the east (certain mapping apps could lead you astray). From Victoria Ave. in Oxnard, make a slight left on Roosevelt Blvd., which turns into Island View Ave. Turn right at the end of the road on Sawtelle Ave. and follow the road all the way to the small beachside parking lot. Ventura County beaches are dog-friendly (avoid taking the dog on the jetty).

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View