How to Travel Responsibly

Oxnard is open and we're thrilled to welcome you back. From local rules and regulations to social distancing friendly activities, here are some things you can expect when traveling to Oxnard, California.

In this post, we'll cover:

• The California Travel Code
• Face Mask Guidelines
• FAQ's
• What to do in Oxnard.

While we continue to protect each other from coronavirus, we’d like to make sure you’re equipped with essential need-to-know information while visiting.

The California Travel Code

We echo the Visit California Responsible Travel Code that asks visitors to travel with “RESPECT” by committing to seven main points while exploring the Golden State. “We hope this code can serve as a quick resource for travelers on how to stay safe and be respectful of others and of the environment when visiting the State,” said Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California.

• Roam Responsibly
• Educate Myself
• Safety First
• Preserve California
• Embrace Community
• Celebrate Culture
• Teach Others

Is it Safe to Travel to Oxnard?

Being a safe, responsible, and respectful traveler has never been more important. Accordingly, certain restrictions in California have been enacted to protect residents and visitors alike. Prior to your arrival, please review the latest information from Ventura County Recovers to ensure that you are up-to-date on the most recent public health directives.

Please do your best to adhere to the following guidelines:

Face Coverings

Effective March 1, 2022, the requirement that unvaccinated individuals mask in indoor public settings moved to a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccine status, continue indoor masking. Certain exemptions to this apply. Although encouraged while in public spaces, face coverings are not required while outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.

The State order continues to require masking in some indoor public places regardless of vaccination status, including healthcare facilities, childcare settings, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, corrections, long-term care facilities and public transit.

Read here for full guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

Keep Your Distance

Practicing social distancing is required. Please remain six feet away from those not in your traveling party at all times.

Practice Good Hygiene

The best way to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid groups (stay at least six feet away from others).
• Reduce the time you are around others outside the home, even when at least six feet away.

If You Are Feeling Sick

Please first call your primary care doctor, a nurse hotline, or an urgent care center before going to the hospital. Check online resources like the CDC website if you are worried that you or a loved one has the COVID-19 virus. Do not go to the emergency room of a hospital unless you have deemed that you have an actual emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Before Traveling

Be aware of the latest travel advisories and best-health practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. State Department

What’s Open in Oxnard?

California has a blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the State with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. See the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for more information. The County will continue lifting restrictions as average daily new COVID-19 cases decline to predetermine levels per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks.

Here's what's open in Oxnard:

Restaurants In Oxnard

Oxnard restaurants are open for business. Many of our restaurants have extended patios that offer al fresco dining options. The Collection, for instance, has created a safe and socially distant dining space on Park View Court for guests to take their meals outside.

Citywide, many restaurants are offering takeout and curbside delivery options in addition to al fresco (or, fresh air) dining options for guests. Please call ahead to see what each restaurant is offering, as offerings are subject to change.

Hotels & Lodging In Oxnard

Oxnard hotels have been open to leisure travel since January 25th. Please contact your hotel directly to see whether pools, gyms, onsite dining and other amenities are available. Reservations for facilities may be required.

Attractions In Oxnard

Oxnard is full of incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural travel. Many recreational businesses in the Channel Islands Harbor are accepting reservations. Visit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum or Heritage Square which offers guided tours by appointment only.

Breweries & Wineries In Oxnard

Bars, pubs, brewpubs, breweries, wineries and wine tasting rooms are also open. Breweries include: Casa Agria Specialty Ales; Red Tandem Brewery; Wagon Wheel Brewing. Wineries include: Herzog Wine Cellars; Strey Cellars; Magnavino Cellars.

Grab a beer on draft from Bottle & Pint taproom inside Annex Food Hall at The Collection at RiverPark. The taproom is open for indoor tastings or you can take your beer to go and head over to the new outdoor dining setup at Park View Court.

Movie Theaters In Oxnard

Century RiverPark 16 & XD and Plaza Cinemas at Centennial Plaza in Downtown Oxnard is open and playing the latest flicks.

Shopping In Oxnard

All retail stores and shopping centers are permitted to be open for indoor operations at full capacity with modifications. Please call ahead to see what retailers are offering in regard to curbside delivery. Salons, Barbershops and personal care services are permitted to be open for indoor operations with mitigation measures.

Confirm Reservations

Before visiting, we recommend confirming all reservations including hotels, restaurants, and attractions to confirm availability.

Opt Outside

Oxnard is blessed with an abundance of wide-open spaces. Whether you’re visiting the beaches or expansive Channel Islands Harbor, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor environments and activities and still practice safe social distancing. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy fresh air in Oxnard:

Beaches In Oxnard

Oxnard’s pristine sandy beaches are among the city’s most prized assets. You’ll find intermediate- and expert-level waves to surf along our coastline, long stretches of shoreline to walk and/or jog and plenty of space to throw out a blanket and soak up the sun. Check out our guide to Oxnard’s beaches here.

Bike Around Oxnard

Rent a bike or surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals, and take a leisurely cruise around the harbor or Oxnard Beach Park. Or, work up a sweat and traverse along Oxnard’s section of the Pacific Coast Bike Route.

Recreate in the Channel Islands Harbor

Channel Islands Harbor is home to some phenomenal outdoor activities: kayaking, electric boating, stand-up paddleboarding, wave running, fishing and more are all recreational opportunities found in Oxnard. For information on what’s open, read our recent reopening article here.

Explore Outdoor Artwork at The Collection

The Collection’s visitors can meander the outdoor walkways to explore and experience the shopping center’s diverse sculptures, murals and other artwork. Artist Skye Sweet recently created a mural with incredibly intricate details and vibrant colors that visitors have to see for themselves.

Self-Guided Tours

Downtown Oxnard has a few opportunities for self-guided walking tours. Choose from a 2.5-mile or abbreviated 1.25-mile walk in the heart of the city. Or, head to Heritage Square, where you’ll find a collection of restored Victorian structures built between 1876 and 1912; the square is open daily for self-guided walking tours.

Local Medical Resources

In the event that you do begin to feel ill while visiting Oxnard, here is the need-to-know testing, urgent care and hospital information:

Covid-19 Testing Locations

Please do not go to the emergency room for COVID-19 testing. Hospitals are needed for those with severe COVID-19 symptoms or other critical illness.

In Oxnard, no-cost COVID-19 testing is available at Oxnard Performing Arts Center at 800 Hobson Way. Please register by calling, or register online. You can contact the center by phone at 1-888-634-1123. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 8am to 8pm. An additional Optumserve State location is open at Thousand Oaks Library. Drive-up testing is available in adjacent cities Ventura, Santa Paula and Moorpark.

There are three urgent care centers in Oxnard accepting patients for Covid-19; these include Solar Urgent Care at 2100 Solar Drive Suite 100 (open Monday thru Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm); Las Islas Family Medical Group South at 325 West Channel Islands Blvd (open 7 days/week from 9am to 5pm) and Magnolia Family Medical Center at 2240 E. Gonzalez Rd. (open Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5pm). For pre-screenings and appointments, call the hotline at 1-805-652-7660. Additional urgent care locations are available in adjacent cities Ventura, Fillmore, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.

For more information on Covid-19 testing locations, please visit venturacountyrecovers.org.

Ventura County Hospitals

The main hospitals in our county include:

• St. John’s Regional Medical Center at 1600 N. Rose Avenue;
• Community Memorial Hospital at 147 N. Brent Street in Ventura;
• Ventura County Medical Center at 300 Hillmont Avenue in Ventura; and
• St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital at 2309 Antonio Avenue in Camarillo.

During an infectious disease outbreak, it’s important to take care for your own physical and mental health. If you are in distress, Ventura County offers a free, confidential health and human services hotline available 24/7 in multiple languages. Call 1-866-998-2243 to talk to specialist in areas including stress, depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol misuse.

Conclusion

We are excited to welcome you back to Oxnard and hope you have a wonderful stay. Thanks for checking out our guide on how to travel responsibly. Oxnard is here when you feel ready to travel. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and appreciate your support of our community!