McGrath State Beach Campground

Biking

Interested in biking around the McGrath Beach area? We can’t blame you, as it’s beautiful and causes for a great ride. Not only that, but the beach is located right along the Pacific Coast Bicycle route. There are no specific biking trails in the area, but we recommend bringing your two-wheeler (or more, if you’re into that tandem lifestyle) and riding around the area.

Fishing

That 2 mile stretch of beach that McGrath offers is perfect for surf fishers alike. There is no fishing in the estuary nearby (duh), but many visitors enjoy loungin’ on the beach and casting their lines into the surf. You can check out the fishing report here to find the best times for angling. Also, as always, snag your CA fishing license before heading out. The spot is best known for surfperch and spotfin croakers, as most of the fish caught along the beach are sandy bottom lovers. If you’re fishing at night, many anglers come across sand sharks. The shore does drop off fairly quickly, however, so every now and then anglers will come up with a deeper water fish such as halibut.

Hiking

Hiking at McGrath is more along the lines of beach-strolling (which is always pleasurable, in our opinion), but trekkers can also find some more strenuous and longer jaunts if you so desire. If you are looking for longer hikes, consider setting off southbound heading towards any of the following: Mandalay Beach (2 mi), Oxnard Beach (3.5 mi), Hollywood Beach (4.5 mi), or the Channel Islands Harbor (5.5 mi). If you’re looking for something inland, the gorgeous vegetation-filled nature trail that leads towards the Santa Clara is an easy-to-conquer, barrier free .2 mile jaunt. This leads to the bird-watchers renown estuary which we could not recommend more. You can also check out the more general McGrath Beach Trail for a guide taking you southbound along the coast.

Surfing

McGrath definitely has some dangerous rip currents and rough surf at times, but three breaks and a relatively uncrowded atmosphere makes it a solid spot for surfers. With three breaks, you can find most of the people down the beach in front of the power plant. We don’t really advise inexperienced surfers to head down to McGrath, however, those rip currents are definitely hazardous. You can check out a more current surf report here for up to date information. We also recommend heading out to McGrath for surfing during the summer (mid-June to October), as that is known as the best time.

Wildlife watching

McGrath State Beach is one of the best bird-watching areas in all of California. Period. With the Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve bordering the beach’s lush streamside woodlands and dunes, visitors bear witness to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna (with over 245 bird species). Strolling along the half mile of boardwalk through a protruding jungle of cottonwoods, willows, and thick reeds in the bountiful Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve, you are bound to come across many of the avian beauties that inhabit the area. Right at the mouth of the Santa Clara River, many native and migratory birds use the area to feed, nest, mate, or just straight up chill. Some of our flying friends that you may encounter include pelicans, osprey, black-necked stilts, cormorants, ducks, even the highly protected and endangered snowy plover. The snowy plover are near the brink of extinction and we ask that you take extra measures to respect their nesting grounds, as protection efforts by the state park system can be found here. Lastly, if you’re looking for more information on the habitats and general wildlife in the area, you can find those particulars here.