The Ultimate Guide to the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard

Overview

The California Strawberry Festival draws a crowd of over 60,000 to the city of Oxnard and has raised more than $4.5 million to benefit local charities. This Oxnard festival is a place where visitors can feast on truly unique strawberry cuisine (like strawberry pizza and strawberry nachos), listen to exciting live bands, and enjoy carnival rides and magic shows. The festival features a fantastic array of arts and crafts, plus activities like contests and cooking demonstrations.

Food booths are set up by local non-profits, so you can devour tasty treats knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds support local charities.

During the two-day event, an estimated 1.5 million strawberries are typically consumed. The event is sprawled across 15 acres, so there are lots of things to see and do for your whole family.

How to Get to the Festival

The California Strawberry Festival is typically held at Meadows of College Park. The address is 3250 South Rose Avenue in Oxnard.

ticket info

Tickets can usually be purchased at the gate.

• General admission: $12
• Seniors: $8
• Children 5-12: $5
• Kids 4 and Under: Free

What to expect

From food to music, recipe contests, arts and crafts and kid's activities, the California Strawberry Festival has something for everyone. Some of the most popular events at the festival include the Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest, Strawberry Pie Eating contest, the Berry Best Hat Contest and the Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest.

Strawberry Promenade

Chefs, bakers and strawberry lovers whip up great recipes using everyone's favorite berry.

For a full list of past winner's recipes, visit the California Strawberry Festival website.

Music

Bring your dancing shoes. Musical acts are lined up all weekend on two outdoor stages. Schedule info.

Arts and Crafts

Take home a piece of local treasure as you shop the 200+ arts and crafts booths.

Strawberry Land

From carnival rides like the Berry-Go-Round to face painting, it's a kids' fun zone in Strawberry Land.

Bouncy Slides

Kids can feel the wind in their hair as they zip down the bouncy slides located in Strawberry Land.

Jest in Time

Kids can see jugglers, clowns and magic shows at the action-packed Family Fun Stage.

Where to stay

Oxnard offers a variety of options for places to stay to suit any budget. Here's where to stay during your trip. Click here to view the complete list of accommodations.

Hampton Inn

After sampling savory strawberries, recharge your batteries at the Hampton Inn where rooms overlook the Channel Islands Harbor.

Residence Inn By Marriott at River Ridge

After trying pizza, nachos and beer, you'll have all sorts of new recipes to test out in the full kitchens offered at this hotel.

Best Western Oxnard Inn

Just one mile from the festival, the Best Western offers great accommodations with a convenient downtown location.

Courtyard Marriott Oxnard

With 165 rooms equipped with everything from flat-screen TVs to balconies, the Courtyard has all the amenities you need after a busy, berry-filled day.

Homewood Suites

Whip up breakfast in your Homewood Suite before heading to the festival, and then take a dip in the heated pool when you return.

Oxnard attractions

Don't let the fun end after the festival! Extend your stay in Oxnard and try one of the many activities the city has to offer.

Try a round of golf at the River Ridge Golf Club, take a kayak tour of Channel Islands National Park with Blue Ocean Kayaking, taste some local wine at Rancho Ventavo Cellars, or check out vintage vehicles at Murphy Auto Museum.

Related: 10 Fun Things To Do in Oxnard, California

Oxnard Restaurants

Strawberries aren't the only food Oxnard is known for. From Mexican to Mediterranean, there are forty unique restaurants to choose from in Downtown Oxnard alone.

Craving fresh seafood? Try family-owned Otani's Fish Market and Restaurant. For authentic Mexican food, try Luna Grill. For something more exotic, have dinner aboard a paddle boat with A&M Yacht Charters and Cruises and enjoy your meal as you cruise around the Channel Islands Harbor.

Don't miss: Best Healthy Restaurants in Oxnard.

Conclusion

The California Strawberry Festival is just one of the many great attractions that Oxnard has to offer. With its uncrowded beaches, fabulous restaurants, exceptional accommodations and fun-filled events, a trip to this seaside city won't disappoint. We can't wait to see you at the next festival!

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