Beaches between Oxnard and Santa Monica

Question

My adult child is in a psychiatric treatment center in Woodland Hills and I want to visit them daily over Easter week. (I live on east coast anbd this is my vacation time). Oxnard seems to be about an hour away- 2 hours per day in car, more if she’s permitted to come with me for an afternoon off campus visit but has to return at dinner. Is there another beach community I should look at?

Answer

For daily visits to Woodland Hills, convenience and minimizing drive time are key. Oxnard is a lovely beach community, but it is about an hour to an hour and a half away from Woodland Hills under normal traffic, and can easily stretch to two hours with LA traffic, especially during holiday periods like Easter week. If your goal is to balance beach access with shorter daily commutes, you might consider other communities closer to Woodland Hills.

Some options between Woodland Hills and Santa Monica that could work well:

Malibu: About 30–40 minutes from Woodland Hills, Malibu offers scenic beaches such as Zuma Beach, Surfrider Beach, and Point Dume. You’ll have beautiful ocean views, outdoor activities, and restaurants nearby, all with a significantly shorter commute than Oxnard.
Santa Monica: Roughly 30–35 minutes from Woodland Hills, Santa Monica has a bustling beach environment, the famous pier, bike paths, and a wide range of dining and shopping options. It’s more touristy than Malibu but very convenient for daily trips.
Venice Beach: About 35–40 minutes from Woodland Hills, Venice offers a lively boardwalk atmosphere, street performers, and unique shops. Great for short visits if you want an energetic vibe, though less relaxing than Malibu or Santa Monica.
Topanga or Pacific Palisades: Both are closer to Woodland Hills, offering quieter beaches and more local, scenic spots. Topanga State Beach and Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades are smaller and calmer, suitable for shorter, stress-free visits.

Tips for choosing:

For the shortest commute with a relaxing beach vibe: Malibu is ideal.
For more amenities, dining, and a classic tourist beach experience: Santa Monica or Venice Beach.
For a quieter, local feel: Pacific Palisades or Topanga provide low-key beach experiences and beautiful surroundings.
Consider traffic patterns during holiday week: mornings and late afternoons can be heavy, so closer options reduce stress and allow more beach time.

Overall, Malibu or Santa Monica are your best bets for combining beach access with daily visits to Woodland Hills. You’ll save significant driving time compared to Oxnard and still enjoy the California coastal experience.

Beaches between Oxnard and Santa Monica

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