Skip to main content

Photo Essay: In Oxnard, Latinos by the Beach Create 'A New Reality'

Two men on a horse on a beach.
From left, Martin and Omar train their horse, “Gucci” in north Oxnard. “We like to train here in case the horse falls we land on the sand,” says Martin. Some Oxnard residents own horses or bulls that are tended to on the weekends. | Julie Leopo
Support Provided By

When I first stepped onto Oxnard Shores in northern Oxnard, something felt different. It took me a while, but I gradually realized that, unlike the beaches of Orange County where I grew up, this stretch of sand felt more comfortable to me as a Latina.

Unknown to me at the time, Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Ventura County host a predominantly Latino population, (as well as Samoans and Filipinos, according to a local I later spoke with). It felt like a place where bodies like mine could exist by the water.

"I go to the beach with the family to decompress," said Amadeo, in an earlier interview reporting on farmworkers.

Oxnard's northern beaches are only 15 minutes away from the inner city, and parking was abundant. A different world compared to many Orange County beaches, where a drive could at times take 30 minutes from an inner city like Santa Ana, my hometown.

While Orange County beaches are considered a public space, the overdevelopment in many Orange County cities also meant less access to outsiders.

Scenic places like Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach or Newport Beach, are riddled with high end restaurants, hotels blocking access or homes that are not affordable to the typical inner city visitor. Parking alone in some of these lots costs up to $4.50 an hour or $15 for a full day in some lots, and that's with limited hours.

 A graph comparing the demographic population of Orange County's beach cities.
 A graph comparing the demographic population of Orange County's beach cities.
1/4 In Orange County, beach cities are often overwhelmingly white, riddled with high end restaurants, hotels blocking access or homes that are not affordable to the typical inner city visitor. | Colin Taylor
Ventura County Beaches.png
Ventura County Beaches.png
2/4 According to the Census, Oxnard has the highest concentration of Latinos along the southern California coast. | Colin Taylor
Los Angeles County Beaches.png
Los Angeles County Beaches.png
3/4 Except for Long Beach, Los Angeles County beach cities are also majority white. | Colin Taylor
San Diego County Beaches.png
San Diego County Beaches.png
4/4 Except for Imperial Beach, a white population usually resides in San Diego's waterfront areas. | Colin Taylor

Despite the many challenges of getting to the beaches in Orange County, my love for the ocean remained.

Like many Latino families, my mother would pack tortas, hot chips and fresh fruit to last us all day during my childhood summers. It was a free, all-day activity to tire us out; the fun memories were meant to last until the next outing we could afford as a family.

But a new reality set in for me when I moved to what can be considered a small Latino coast.

On Sundays, you can see horses being ridden by coledores or horse trainers on Oxnard Shores while families picnic right across the corner. Many Oxnard residents own cattle and house them in nearby stables, arenas or farms that they rent from. Some are located in Oxnard, or neighboring cities such as Santa Paula or Fillmore.

"It just reminds me of my home, Zacatecas," said Efren, a Oxnard coleador, "it is a memory that I can hold with me and cherish."

Other horse owners take horses to train and take a picnic with them to enjoy the day while soft Spanish melodies play against the crashing waves.

A man hands the horse trainer an ice cold water bottle from his cooler that is carefully placed along the rocks on the sand.
Omar hands the horse trainer an ice cold water bottle from his cooler that is carefully placed along the rocks on the sand. The cooler houses all their refreshments and snacks meant to last for hours. | Julie Leopo
A man on a horse at the beach.
Martin, a horse trainer, walks up and down the beach with many stares from those passing by. The site of a horse on a beach is unlikely, but not in Oxnard. Martin will also add a second rider to sit behind him so the horse knows how to handle two riders at a time. | Julie Leopo
A horse rider walks along the sand in Oxnard while kids play soccer.
A horse rider walks along the sand in Oxnard while kids play soccer. | Julie Leopo

Although million-dollar homes owned mostly by wealthy Oxnard residents line up the Hollywood Beach in north Oxnard, it still feels accessible in a way that Orange County doesn't. Parking is abundant and Oxnard keeps its humble roots with affordable eateries.

This accessibility to the beach is a lifeline to many.

"I come here to decompress during sunset," says Gaby Ibarra, an Oxnard resident.

It was no different for Albert Hernandez, 35, "I come here to pray, relax and take in a natural beauty," Hernandez said as he prepared to jump into the water.

Albert Hernandez, 35, takes a break from his walk along the coast to splash fresh water on his face.
Albert Hernandez, 35, takes a break from his walk along the coast to splash fresh water on his face in Oxnard Shores. | Julie Leopo
Albert Hernandez, a longtime resident of Oxnard, is in the waters on Oxnard Shores.
Albert Hernandez, a longtime resident of Oxnard visits Oxnard Shores. Hernandez values the natural beauty that the beaches of Oxnard have to offer. “ I can go to other beaches, Malibu, Santa Monica but I go here.” | Julie Leopo
The Mandalay generating power station in North Harbor Boulevard. The power station has been decommissioned.
The Mandalay generating power station in North Harbor Boulevard. The power station has been decommissioned. | Julie Leopo
Homes by Oxnard Shores stretch throughout the coastline.
Homes by Oxnard Shores stretch throughout the coastline. | Julie Leopo
A figure walks towards the sunset and dips her feet in the ocean while she has a moment of reflection.
Gaby Ibarra walks towards the sunset and dips her feet in the ocean while she has a moment of reflection. | Julie Leopo

Trouble in Paradise

But Oxnard's coast isn't a pure haven. The 20 miles of Oxnard coastline is also home to two naval bases, a commercial port, three power plants and has a history of toxic dumping.

In contrast to Oxnard Shores and other northern beaches, Ormond Beach in southern Oxnard has struggled with homelessness, crimeand toxic dumping for years. Its issues have made it a focal point for activists like CAUSE, who are trying to inform residents that it is 'ok to visit.' Activists know though that their message is a hard sell for residents who are intimidated by the beach's isolated location between a naval base festooned with stern warnings and a powerplant that is set to be demolished in coming years.

 A "no trespassing" sign is seen at the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Magu in Ormond Beach.
A "no trespassing" sign is seen at the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Magu in Ormond Beach. | Julie Leopo
Odette stands for a photograph in Ormond Beach.
Odette stands for a photograph in Ormond Beach. Ormond Beach has historically been a beach with little to no access, prone to criminal activities and was ground for a toxic dump site. “The average Oxnard citizen doesn’t even know this beach exists,” said Odette. Ormond Beach is considered to be the closest beach to many south Oxnard residents. | Julie Leopo

Instead, residents from south Oxnard frequent Port Hueneme, which nestled in between the two sides of the south and north beaches. This small city surrounded by Oxnard holds a commercial port, owned andoperated by the Oxnard Harbor district.

"Port Hueneme is just more culturally relevant to me and Latinos, '' said Hubert Flores,17, as he enjoyed the weekend car show with his girlfriend, Yamila Armenta, 17, who nodded in agreement.

A Port Hueneme vendor prepares Mexican street corn and other Latino snacks on a makeshift wooden cart on June 13, 2022.
A Port Hueneme vendor prepares Mexican street corn and other Latino snacks on June 13, 2022. | Julie Leopo
A Port Hueneme vendor prepares Mexican street corn and other Latino snacks on a makeshift wooden cart on June 13, 2022.
A Port Hueneme vendor prepares Mexican street corn and other Latino snacks on a makeshift wooden cart on June 13, 2022. | Julie Leopo
Two people in stripes at Port Hueneme Beach.
From left, Hubert Flores, 17, and Yamila Flores, 17, stand for a photo in Port Hueneme Beach. | Julie Leopo
A beach goer sports a El Salvador shirt, highlighting the diverse population of Latinos in the area.
A beach goer sports a El Salvador shirt, highlighting the diverse population of Latinos in the area. | Julie Leopo

Even with the presence of Port Hueneme, many residents ask why Ormond beach can't be more accessible.

Oxnard signage seen on a car parked in the Port Hueneme parking lot.
Oxnard signage seen on a car parked in the Port Hueneme parking lot. | Julie Leopo
A little girl in a toy car behind low riders.
Jasmine rides through a Port Hueneme car show while her parents control the car from afar on Sunday, June 12, 2022 . | Julie Leopo

"That power plant technically, is allowed to be there, the agricultural fields, they're allowed to be there. Years and years ago, it was decided, this beach [Ormond Beach], this coast belongs to industry. And, and the other beaches are where families can go and enjoy," said Marquez, making a comparison to beaches like Malibu or Santa Barbara, "and it just doesn't feel like a coincidence that it's like always the same demographics that are like completely cut off, or, you know, bear the burden of pollution or dirty air," said Marquez.

Children play in the Port Hueneme sand dunes behind the Ormond gas plant, which is now set to be demolished.
Children play in the Port Hueneme sand dunes behind the Ormond gas plant, which is now set to be demolished. | Julie Leopo

That the Oxnard coast is as welcoming as it is now is because many fought for it including Latinos and farmworkers, according to Lucia Marquez, a Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) policy advocate who was present in the 2016 local uprising of residents denouncing the new power plant: Puente Powerplant.

Over time, community groups have gathered around and protested the environmental impacts it has on the majority population: people of color.

Groups like CAUSE have spent years advocating for a more accessible and clean coast.

For one Oxnard resident turned community organizer, their point of migration was clean air.

"I literally came here to breathe clean air," said Odette Moran Lopez, who was born with small lungs because of the pollution in Mexico.

"I come from the outskirts of Mexico city where trash was dumped; it was toxic," said Lopez as they held back tears.

For Lopez, keeping Oxnard a clean and safe place for residents is personal and will keep fighting for a clean and safe coast for Oxnard.

Lopez and Marquez, along with CAUSE, now lead youth in the city of Oxnard to use the beach as a resource and open space.

Two women with a stroller at Port Hueneme
From left, Kalista Bernal, 18, and Sequoia Bernal, 26, visit Port Hueneme with Sequias newborn on June 12, 2022. | Julie Leopo
Two people sit by the pier in Port Hueneme.
From right, Jaime Plaza and Estrella Cervantes enjoy a day at the pier in Port Hueneme. “This is the first time I have ever been to the beach, I just arrived from Mexico, it is so beautiful,” said Plaza. | Julie Leopo

Oxnard is unique in its identity as a coastal city. Its existence is a chance for Latinos to call a slice of the California coast their own, which is why residents continue to defend and cherish it, hopefully, for many years to come.

Support Provided By