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Oxnard is the largest city in Ventura County in California, with a population of about 200,000.

Understand

Get in

Map
34°12′0″N 119°12′0″W
Map of Oxnard

Oxnard's main artery is US Highway 101. The two-lane Highway 1 is the slower, more scenic option as it winds slowly (sometimes very slowly if there is any traffic at all) down the entire Southern California/Central Coast coastline.

Oxnard is also accessible by rail. Metrolink provides connections to Los Angeles via the San Fernando Valley.

Get around

By bus

Gold Coast Transit serves Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura. Bus service is limited. Their phone number is: +1 805-487-4222.

See

  • Plaza Park. Located where 5th Street & C Street meet in central Oxnard, Plaza Park hosts a variety of events during the year. Retail shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and a museum are in the area. 
  • Carnegie Art Museum. The Museum presents temporary exhibitions changing quarterly, with selected portions of its permanent collection on display periodically. Check the exhibition schedule or contact the museum to verify showings of the permanent collection. The Museum closes between exhibits for art installation. 
  • Heritage Square, 715 S A St, ☏ +1 805-483-7960, toll-free: +1-877-698-5594. Oxnard's rich agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage comes alive again in a single block of the city's friendly downtown. This unique block consists of both original and replicated historical buildings. For both development and agricultural reasons, they have been moved to this site from throughout the Oxnard community. These relocated and restored structures are collectively called Heritage Square. Today, these beautiful buildings and lush grounds serve as an up-to-date setting for professional offices, a visitor center, community theatre, weddings, meetings, and special events. (updated Mar 2015)
  • Petit Playhouse. Catch a play/production at this local community theater 
  • Gull Wings Children's Museum, ☏ +1 805 483-3005. Located at 418 West Forth Street. Provides kids an interactive, hands-on experience. Children ages two through twelve can explore a geological area, pretend to shop at a farmer’s market, learn about x-rays in the medical room, or "pet" underwater creatures in the ocean touch tank. 
  • Ventura County Maritime Museum, ☏ +1 805-984-6260. Located at 2731 S. Victoria Ave in Oxnard. Two of the largest collections of antique sailing ship models in the United States are on display. Seven rare bone models made by French prisoners-of-war-in the 18th century sit regally under glass. Maritime art adorn the walls, giving an all encompassing seafaring encounter. 

Do

  • Channel Islands National Park - Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was. Take a Ferry or boat ride from Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor in order to reach Channel Islands National Park.
  • Whale Watching Tour - Usually from late December to the end of April. Take a whale watching tour from Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor and have a chance to see the annual Grey Whale migration. You may be even able to spot all 28 species of whales and dolphins that have been identified along the Ventura County coast line.
  • Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. Late July to Mid August. Dallas Cowboys Training Camp has been held in Oxnard since the summer of 2004. Have the opportunity to meet the players, get autographs, and take pictures with the super bowl trophy. 
  • California Strawberry Festival, 3250 South Rose Ave (Strawberry Meadows of College Park located in Oxnard Community College), ☏ +1 805 385-4739, toll-free: +1-800-288-9242, fax: +1 805 385-4729, . Third weekend of May. With live musical entertainment, over 300 Arts & Crafts, 50 food booths with yummy berry favorites, gooey contests, the Strawberry Promenade, Star Berry Hunt, Strawberryland For Kids, and more, it’s the perfect celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage with proceeds benefiting more than 40 Southland charities. 
  • Oxnard Salsa Festival, 500 S. C St. (Plaza Park), ☏ +1 805 247-0197, . Last weekend of July. A two-day celebration of everything salsa – the food, the music, and the dance. Experience spicy food, hot music and Oxnard’s cool ocean breezes. Make sure you go to the "Salsa Tasting Tent" where you can try dozens of different salsas – from mild to wild – dished up by local restaurants and salsa vendors. Events include 5K and 10K run. 
  • Channel Islands Harbor's Annual Fine Arts Festival, 2741 Victoria Ave., ☏ +1 805 985-4852, . Mid July. The event features original works of art consisting of acrylics, etchings, photography, oils, watercolors and sculptures. Visitors also are able to choose from a number of high-quality crafts, including ceramics, stained glass, woodcrafts, jewelry and gift items. Free. 
  • Festival of Sail. Held in Early August at Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor. Tall Ships from around the world converge on Channel Islands Harbor in a magnificent display of seafaring power and beauty. Stroll harborside and enjoy these beautiful ships close up, or climb aboard to explore the decks and hear first hand their history. You even have the opportunity to be part of a sea-battle re-enactment. 
  • Harbor Landing Beach Festival. Held in Late August at Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor. The Harbor Landing Beach Festival is a free event for everyone. Featuring live entertainment and DJ, fashion show, BBQ buffet, vendors, raffle prizes, and more. Nestled in the Channel Island Harbor Landing off of Peninsula and Channel Island Boulevard. 
  • Oxnard Independent Film Festival. Held in Late September. Event included seven days of screening independent films, such as short films, animation, student films, features, docs, and more. Following the closing night film, the festival continuous at a restaurant in Plaza Park, to announce the year's best of awards. Note that anyone can submit a film at a shoot for screening his or her film by going to the festival website. 
  • Multicultural Festival. Held in Early October. The Multicultural Festival is held annually at Plaza Park, in the heart of the City of Oxnard for the sole purpose of celebrating the rich diversity of its residents. Peoples of every culture come together to learn and discover their shared values, in an atmosphere that honors all. Food vendors, offering a variety of ethnic foods, bring to the community an explosion of aromas and flavors, from places far and near, to make anyone's mouth water. 

Buy

Eat

Jesse's El Taco de Mexico - Located at 120 W 7th Street, this hole in the wall has the best burritos anywhere. Try their steak (asada) burritos.

Topper's Pizza Place - This local pizzaria chain is found throughout Ventura County and it is known for its delicious pizza. Try their Canadian bacon/ham pizza, its incredible.

Taqueria El Tapatio - Very authentic Mexican food specializing in taste of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Very good, non-greasy carne asada, thick beans, fluffy rice, and rich aguas. Establishment is very clean, and service bar staff is very courteous. Casual dining at its best. Second location on Ventura Rd and 5th street is even better.

The Whale’s Tail - Located at 3950 Bluefin Circle. This restaurant is situated on the water in Channel Islands Harbor. Large plate-glass windows provide spectacular views of schooners and fishing boats. Fresh oysters on the half-shell, buffalo shrimp, and salad Louie are just a few of the tasty treats. The Sunday Brunch Buffet includes free-flowing champagne.

Capistrano's - Located at 2101 Mandalay Beach Rd, inside the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel in Oxnard. Amid the terra-style architecture, this restaurant welcomes diners with upscale cuisine and elegant atmosphere. Following an appetizer of shrimp-shitake ravioli or roasted vegetable tart, look to Maine lobster with white truffle oil risotto, jumbo diver sea scallops, or oven-roasted lamb shank for a main course. Additional temptations include braised veal osso buco, seared ahi tuna, and grilled Atlantic salmon. A wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion.

Chai's Thai Cuisine - Located at 2148 Saviers Rd. Traditional Thai recipes come to life at this small strip-mall favorite. Don't be put off by the unassuming exterior; a pleasant dining room and spacious patio are concealed within. A wealth of appetizers, soups, salads, and tasty chef-recommended specialties delight hungry diners.

Mrs. Olson’s Coffee Hut - Located at 117 Los Altos Drive; 805-985-9151. Voted one of the 59 best breakfasts locations in America by Esquire Magazine. Park your bike by the berms of sand blown from Hollywood Beach down the street. Sit at the counter — always the counter — among the regulars from the Navy base. Observe the patriotic murals and the collection of American flags, five of which have flown over Iraq. Then order one of the bazooka-sized breakfast burritos, or the French toast with cool strawberries, or the huevos rancheros with their soft chunks of tomatoes and jalapeños. Ask for the home fries, the thick ones grilled all morning in paprika, garlic salt, Parmesan cheese, and probably some other stuff.

Drink

Sleep

  • Homewood Suites by Hilton, 1950 Solar Dr, ☏ +1 805 288-3600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12PM. An all suite hotel equipped with full kitchens and free high-speed Internet. Complimentary amenities include a hot breakfast, a light dinner with beverages (Monday-Thursday), and wireless Internet throughout the hotel. 

Camping

  • McGrath State Beach Campground, 2211 N Harbor Blvd. (1.2 miles south of Olivas Park Dr.), ☏ +1 805 968-1033, . Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Don't expect privacy if camping at McGrath. The spaces are small and packed close together with room for little more than a parking space, a table, and a fire pit. Tents are pitched in large meadow areas behind the campsites with no demarcation between sites. If you have a couple of large groups near each other, you may need to negotiate for places to pitch tents. Also note that a shift in the coastal dunes has resulted in flooding of the rear areas of the campground so getting to the beach is impossible from the campground and the flooding created marshes in the rear meadow areas. Some of the campsites at the back will also experience intermittent flooding so try to avoid those. $35. 

Go next

  • Ventura - Located on the coast 8 miles north of Oxnard, Ventura is home to many interesting shops, the historic Mission San Buenaventura, and is the gateway for excursions to the Channel Islands National Park.
Routes through Oxnard
Santa Barbara ← Ventura ←  N  S  → Camarillo → Los Angeles
Santa Barbara ← Ventura Template:Lfarrow Merges with ←  N  S  → Malibu → Long Beach
Santa Barbara ← Ventura ←  N  S  → Camarillo → Los Angeles


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