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Find expert tips and tools to help you plan the perfect getaway in Oxnard.
Check out these tips from locals on things to do in Oxnard
Hugo Centeno, Jr.
Oxnard-born professional boxer Hugo Centeno Jr. works up an appetite in the gym and then heads to H.C. Seafood at Fisherman's Wharf. He enjoys grabbing a seat near the water and watching all the different styles of boats go by.
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Mia Mendoza
This Project Manager for a Nonprofit Fundraiser grabs her caffeine mix at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters and thinks Boba Time at The Collection is delicious! Her inner neat freak loves shopping at The Container Store.
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Quentin Floyd
Quentin Floyd is a radio DJ and personality at 99.3 FM Rhythm of the Coast. He can often be found at Vineyard Cafe, his favorite breakfast/brunch spot. His favorite thing to do in Oxnard? He says the auto museums are unreal!
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Inez Garcia
This entrepreneur based in Downtown Oxnard can often be found driving on F & G streets in Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, admiring the century-old craftsman-style homes, or spending Thursday's lunch hour at Oxnard Farmers Market at Plaza Park.
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Zac & Rachel Sopak
Local Zac Sopak and his wife Rachel are avid thrift shoppers and say their favorite thing to do together is go to Silver Strand Beach. The Sopaks favorite place to eat? Anaba Sushi in Seabridge Marina.
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Oxnard Travel Guide: How to Plan the Ultimate Trip
Oxnard has miles of pristine beaches, it's the gateway to Channel Islands National Park, home to historic Victorian era architecture and the Oxnard Salsa Festival, and it's where you'll find some of the best taquerias in the state. Whether you're planning a California road trip or just want to get away for the weekend, relax and unwind at the coast in Oxnard.
How to Get to Oxnard + The Best Time To Visit OXNARD
Oxnard is located just sixty miles northwest of LAX and approximately 38 miles from Santa Barbara. Oxnard is one of southern California's best-kept secrets. Exit the 101 or travel along the coast via Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to start your Oxnard vacation.
While most people visit Oxnard during June and July, Oxnard has beach weather year-round. The average temperature is 60 degrees, with the coolest months averaging 55 degrees in January and February. July and August are considered the warmest months, with typical highs regularly around 75 degrees.
HOTELS TO Stay AT IN OXNARD
Oxnard has many fun activities, and when it’s time to unpack your bags, there are many great options.
Get cozy in a harbor view room at The Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor. Be on the lookout for sea lions and dolphins who like to frolic in the water here. If you prefer an ocean view, check into the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, where you can also book a spa day or lounge by the pool.
Stay at the Best Western Oxnard Inn in Downtown Oxnard, and explore the historic architecture and art scene. If there are golfers in your group that are looking to take advantage of our fantastic weather, check into the Residence Inn by Marriott at River Ridge, which sits right next door to River Ridge Golf Club.
If you are looking to stay close to shopping and entertainment, choose Courtyard by Marriott - just a short drive from The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard’s premiere lifestyle and entertainment center. Business district adjacent Hilton Garden Inn is perfect for business travelers. With its in-room desks and media centers, this lodging option is great for remote workers and is a relaxing place to unwind after a busy day. Next door, you’ll find Homewood Suites, which offers spacious rooms with laundry facilities and kitchenettes for those anticipating a longer stay. You also have recreation opportunities at the hotel’s basketball courts, barbeques and heated pool.
WHERE TO Play IN OXNARD
Whether you're planning a weekend trip with your best friends, celebrating a special occasion, or planning a family holiday, Oxnard is a playground for water sports and activities. With more than 22 miles of coastline, you can enjoy just about every water sport you can think of. Surf at Silver Strand beach, kayak at the beach or harbor, or plan a dive trip at Channel Islands National Park.
Oxnard Travel Guides:
Best Beaches IN OXNARD
Silver Strand Beach
Known here as "The Strand," this Oxnard beach is broken into three sections: The Jetty, The Bowl, and La Jenelle, which cater to various skill levels of surfers and bodyboarders.
Hollywood Beach
If you're searching for an uncrowded beach to visit while you are in Oxnard, this is it.
Oxnard Beach Park / Mandalay State Beach
Surrounded by palm trees, this 60-acre Oxnard beach park features grassy rolling hills, beautiful dunes, winding bike paths, and a playground for the kids. Rent a bike, surrey, or tandem bikes, and explore the beautiful California coastline.
Oxnard has been a playground for the rich and famous for decades. Read about celebrity homes and prime real estate in Oxnard.
Searching for unique date ideas IN OXNARD?
Get a charcuterie board to-go from The Waterside Restaurant and book a pop-up picnic in the park or on the sand at one of beautiful beaches. We have a list of some of our favorite local pop-up vendors here.
If you're celebrating a special occasion in Oxnard, plan a romantic cruise in the channels of Seabridge Marina aboard an authentic Venetian Gondola. It's an Oxnard experience you and your partner will never forget.
Family Activities IN OXNARD
Start your family vacation at the Channel Islands Harbor, where you can enjoy lunch with a waterfront view. If you're searching for fresh seafood, try the fish tacos at Sea Fresh. Craving something new? Moqueca serves up traditional Brazilian cuisine the whole family will enjoy.
At Channel Islands Harbor, choose your own adventure. Plan your visit to Channel Islands National Park by booking a ticket via Island Packers. The islands are eleven miles off the coast, and you can hike, snorkel or kayak with the family.
Rent kayaks or a small motorboat for a different view of the coast. Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions, dolphins, and Harbor wildlife. If you're traveling with little ones and prefer to stay on dry land, rent bikes and spend the afternoon soaking in the sea breeze and California sunshine.
If you love strange and unusual history, visit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum to see Prisoner of War bone model ships and maritime artifacts.
Explore OXNARD
Located in the heart of Oxnard, explore the rich history, and visit Victorian homes from the 1800s at Heritage Square. Immerse yourself in arts and culture at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center or have a fun day with friends exploring specialty shops, boutiques, and international cuisine. If you love art, plan a self-guided walking art tour to check out murals and artwork from local artists at Plaza Park.
Whether you're shopping for the perfect gift or want to treat yourself to something new, The Collection at RiverPark is Oxnard's premier lifestyle center. Watch a movie in a 16-theatre cinema, check out your favorite comedian at Levity Live, or listen to live music at Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen.
Wine + Dine IN OXNARD
Oxnard's multicultural influences are evident in the abundance of international restaurants. From delicious taco trucks to Mediterranean and Thai Cuisine, there's something for everyone in the family in Oxnard, even the pickiest eaters in the bunch.
Visit Downtown Oxnard for cozy local cafes, taquerias, and artisan desserts at Xielo. At the Channel Islands Harbor, grab a coffee to go at Honey Cup Coffee House & Creamery and take it to the beach.
No visit to Oxnard is complete without visiting a winery. There are four wineries in Oxnard, including Herzog Wine Cellars, the largest producer of Kosher wines on the West Coast.
Visit our Wine Tasting Tour Guide to sample the best wineries in town.
Visit Oxnard
With its pristine beaches, action-packed harbor, historical downtown, and access to one of the least visited national parks in America, Oxnard is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a family trip. Plan a beach day followed by some wine tasting and dining at the top spots in town.
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