The Shores Restaurant (officially operating as The Shores Bar & Restaurant) is a coastal bar and grill located at 1031 Harbor Boulevard in the Oxnard Shores neighborhood of Oxnard, California. Situated a short walk east of Oxnard Beach Park and Mandalay State Beach, the newly remodeled venue combines Southern California surf heritage—showcased through ceiling-mounted surfboards and vintage local photography—with an elevated coastal tavern menu, craft cocktails, live local music, and comprehensive sports broadcasts, including Spectrum TV coverage for Los Angeles Dodgers games.
What to Expect at The Shores Restaurant
Stepping inside The Shores Restaurant, guests enter an airy, contemporary coastal dining room and lounge tailored to Ventura County beachgoers, surfers, and neighborhood regulars. Classic fiberglass surfboards and black-and-white historical photographs of the Oxnard coastline line the walls, creating a relaxed seaside aesthetic. A long, full-service bar anchors the main room, surrounded by high-top tables, spacious booths, and multiple high-definition flat-screen televisions broadcasting MLB, NFL, NBA, and college games. During the NFL and college football season from September through February, the restaurant opens early at 9:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays to serve breakfast and game-day drinks, while evenings frequently feature live bands, acoustic sets, DJ nights, and community events.
The kitchen focuses on updated California beach grill fare, fresh seafood, and shareable bar plates across lunch, dinner, and happy hour menus. Tacos are a centerpiece of the menu, prepared with house-made salsas and sauces: the Grilled Shrimp Tacos ($22) pair char-grilled shrimp with shredded cabbage, fruit salsa, pickled onion, avocado, and aioli, while the Blackened Fish Tacos ($19) deliver spiced coastal catch with crisp toppings. Vegetarians are well served by the Cauliflower Tacos ($16.50), built with roasted cauliflower, fresh cilantro, toasted sunflower seeds, red cabbage, and smoky chipotle romesco. Beyond tacos, the menu spans smash burgers, wings, calamari, artisan flatbreads, and fresh salads, complemented by local Ventura County and California craft beers on draft, classic margaritas, and specialty cocktails.
- Signature Coastal Tacos: Order the Grilled Shrimp Tacos ($22) with fruit salsa and avocado, the Blackened Fish Tacos ($19), or the vegetarian Roasted Cauliflower Tacos ($16.50) dressed with sunflower seeds and chipotle romesco.
- Contemporary Surf-Culture Interior: Admire the newly remodeled dining room and bar decorated with vintage Oxnard beach photography and classic surfboards that celebrate Ventura County’s wave-riding heritage.
- Dodgers & Football Broadcast Hub: Watch every Los Angeles Dodgers game via Spectrum TV alongside full NFL and NCAA football coverage, complete with early 9:00 AM weekend openings from September through February.
- Happy Hour & Full Craft Bar: Pull up a stool at the central bar for rotating draft beers, house margaritas, craft cocktails, and discounted weekday small bites after an afternoon on the sand.
- Live Music & Nightlife Programming: Experience Oxnard Shores’ late-night neighborhood social scene with live local bands, DJs, and themed parties running until midnight or 2:00 AM on weekends.
The Shores Restaurant at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1031 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Oxnard Shores |
| Operating Hours | Sun–Wed: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Thu–Sat: 11:00 AM – 1:30 AM / 2:00 AM (Sat–Sun open at 9:00 AM during football season, Sep–Feb) |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Tacos and mains typically $16.50–$24; no cover for standard dining) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site surface lot and street parking along Harbor Blvd; Gold Coast Transit Route 8 nearby |
| Official Website & Phone | theshoresoxnard.com | +1 805-394-0028 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a relaxed lunch or early dinner with immediate booth seating, arrive between 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM on weekdays. Walk-ins are standard for casual lunch and bar seating, though arriving 30 minutes before first pitch during Los Angeles Dodgers games or before kick-off on NFL Sundays is wise to claim a prime viewing table. You can preview the current food specials, happy hour offerings, and live entertainment schedule on the official The Shores Bar & Restaurant website. Dress is coastal casual—flip-flops, boardshorts, and team jerseys fit right in during the day, transitioning to relaxed casual attire on Friday and Saturday nights.
Located along the scenic Harbor Boulevard corridor connecting Ventura Harbor to Channel Islands Harbor, The Shores Restaurant offers free off-street parking in its adjacent lot as well as curbside spaces along Fifth Street and Harbor Boulevard. Cyclists riding the flat coastal bike path along Harbor Boulevard can lock up right outside. The single-story entrance, dining room, bar area, and restrooms are step-free and wheelchair accessible. Before or after your meal, walk 8 minutes west down Fifth Street to Mandalay State Beach or head just south to Oxnard Beach Park for paved oceanfront walking paths, wide sandy dunes, and sunset views over Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. A 5-minute drive south down Harbor Boulevard brings you to Channel Islands Harbor and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum for kayaking, harbor cruises, and waterfront strolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of operation at The Shores Restaurant in Oxnard?
The Shores Restaurant is open daily starting at 11:00 AM, closing around midnight Sunday through Wednesday and staying open late until 1:30 AM or 2:00 AM Thursday through Saturday. During football season from September through February, the restaurant opens early at 9:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. It closes on Christmas Day and opens at 5:00 PM on Thanksgiving.
How much does food cost at The Shores Restaurant and what is on the menu?
The Shores Restaurant falls into the moderate ($$) price tier, with small bites and tacos ranging from $16.50 for Roasted Cauliflower Tacos to $19 for Blackened Fish Tacos and $22 for Grilled Shrimp Tacos. The kitchen also serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and bar appetizers alongside a full cocktail, wine, and draft beer menu viewable on the official menus page.
How much time should I budget for a visit to The Shores Restaurant?
Plan to spend about 60 to 90 minutes for a casual post-beach lunch or dinner. If you are visiting to watch a Los Angeles Dodgers game on Spectrum TV, an NFL Sunday broadcast, or an evening live band performance, budget 2 to 3 hours.
Is The Shores Restaurant wheelchair accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, the single-level restaurant features a step-free entrance from the parking lot, wide pathways between tables, and accessible restrooms. Families and beachgoers are welcome throughout the daytime and dinner hours, while late evenings after 9:00 PM shift toward an adult bar and live-entertainment crowd.
When planning your Oxnard travel guide or browsing verified nightlife in Oxnard, pair this stop with standout local spots including Best Western Oxnard Inn, Sura, Mandalay Shores Resort, and 'olołkoy Beach Park (1.0 km away).
