Touring * Beginner *

From U.S. 101 in Oxnard, take the Victoria Avenue South exit. Proceed about five miles south to Channel Island Boulevard and follow it to the Harbor Boulevard intersection. Turn right, proceed one block on Harbor Boulevard, and then make a left on Mandalay Beach Road. Park at the curb or in the free public lot; you're at the south end of Oxnard State Beach Park. Map: Bikeways Map, A Guide to Biking in Ventura County, published by the Ventura County Transportation Commission; (805) 642-1591.

Spend an afternoon or early summer's evening playing at Oxnard State Beach Park, a beginner's paradise featuring palm trees, vast lawns, and wonderfully broad concrete walkways (one section of the palm-lined path is at least 15 feet wide). When there aren't too many other people competing for pavement, this is an excellent site for dancing to a boom box or showing off a few tricks. It may be less crowded in the morning, though chances are it will be damp and foggy as well. This oceanfront park boasts outstanding landscaping and design. It's situated a few hundred yards off the beach, with tantalizing glimpses of the ocean beyond a low sand dune that partially blocks the constant offshore breeze. The sidewalk meanders through the beachfront lawns and on both sides of an attractive dwelling complex. At the park's south end where Sunset and Mandalay Beach Road meet is a smoothly paved parking lot that, when empty, is another good site to practice artistic skating or brush up on stunts. After exploring Oxnard State Beach Park, experienced street skaters might want to follow Mandalay Beach Road for another mile north if traffic is light enough. This sandy street route leads past beach houses of various interesting designs; while there are no bike lanes and the surface isn't the best, it's worth exploring if the sun is out, just to take a look. (There are some sidewalks, but they're generally too sandy for skating.) Mandalay Beach Road ends where it meets Fifth Street, just over the low dunes from Mandalay State Beach. Note: If there's no parking near Oxnard State Beach Park, you can park at the curb near this intersection and take the adventurous route in.