Port Hueneme (pronounced "Wy-nee’-mee"
With its name derived from an old Chumash word meaning “resting place”,

Port Hueneme is situated halfway between the former Chumash settlements of Malibu and Ventura. When laying out the town, Thomas R. Bard called it Hueneme. After the construction of the Port of Hueneme in 1939, the name was changed officially to Port Hueneme. It is the only deepwater port run by the military along the entire west coast of the continental United States.

~ Port Hueneme History

Originally inhabited by the Chumash Indians, Port Hueneme real estate was created as a direct result of a coastal exploration by Thomas Bard in 1867. As the agricultural industry grew, so did the frustrations of the growers with the difficulty of getting their produce to market. Bard knew his vision of a vital harbor was the answer to the problem. In 1872, Bard constructed a wharf.

In the 1920s, agriculture in the area was more diversified. Lemon orchards overtook the sugar beet as the primary crop. The Sunkist Company, organized by local farmers, built two lemon-packing plants. Sunkist immediately became the largest employer in the port village. As the agriculture industry changed and the sugar beet declined, the Ventura County Railroad began removing tracks that had linked the local farms and ranches. With the removal of track, the difficulty of getting produce to market increased.

Richard Bard, the son of Thomas Bard, continued his father’s work towards a deep-sea commercial port. Richard would use his influence to make the dream a reality. On April 29, 1937, the Oxnard Harbor District was created, cementing Richard Bard’s place as the founding father of Port Hueneme.

While the Harbor District had been created, the government didn’t grant funding or start any construction in the area. Frustrated with Washington, the District´s Commissioners proposed a bond issue. Within 15 minutes, all bonds were sold. The City of Oxnard agreed to release land that had previously been annexed to the Harbor District. It was agreed by all parties that the Harbor should never be a part of any incorporated city. The Oxnard Harbor District – Port Hueneme was officially completed on July 4, 1940.

~ Port Hueneme Economy

The City of Port Hueneme is very proud of its business environment. Business opportunities and job opportunities are plentiful in Port Hueneme real estate. Businesses large and small benefit from the City being home to the largest commercial deep-water harbor between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Port Hueneme´s economic base is a diverse economy that ranges from manufacturing to tourism.

~ Port Hueneme Schools
The schools in Port Hueneme are overseen by the

Hueneme Elementary School District. There are four public elementary schools currently occupying Port Hueneme real estate. Public middle and high school students attend schools in nearby Oxnard.

~ Port Hueneme Tourism
Tourism is one of Port Hueneme’s economic stimuli. With the military being such a large presence in Port Hueneme real estate, it is obvious that the Seabee Museum would be a great place to find out more about the Navy’s history as well as the history of Port Hueneme itself.

People come from miles around to see the city’s beautiful beach. One of the major celebrations in Port Hueneme every year is the Hueneme Beach Festival, held over one weekend in August. Local restaurants provide fabulous food, vendors peddle their wares here and there is always entertainment to be had.

There are several parks open to the public in Port Hueneme as well. These include Bolker Park, Bubbling Springs Park, Moranda Park and Southwinds Park. You can even sail through the Channel Islands if you are so inclined.

Established in 1874, the Port Hueneme Lighthouse is a great place to visit how seafarers navigated their way into the Port of Hueneme in the past. There are also many beautiful hotels, amazing restaurants and fabulous shops that dot the city’s landscape. You are never at a want for things to do while in Port Hueneme.