Oxnard, CA – Set along the majestic Central Coast of California surrounded by mountain views, crystal, clear waters and idyllic weather, the seaside City of Oxnard beckons the adventurous traveler to discover its great outdoors and uncover the many wonders and points of interest that exist in this gem of a town.
Oxnard, CA – Set along the majestic Central Coast of California surrounded by mountain views, crystal, clear waters and idyllic weather, the seaside City of Oxnard beckons the adventurous traveler to discover its great outdoors and uncover the many wonders and points of interest that exist in this gem of a town.
Fun on the Water
Picturesque Channel Islands Harbor is the launching point for visitors to sail the high seas, take to the skies or venture to the Channel Islands National Park. One stop shopping can be found at Marine Emporium Landing where adventure seekers can get outfitted for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, parasailing or perhaps jump on a jet ski and breathe in the ocean air. Blue Ocean Kayaking provides trips to Anacapa Island aboard the Sunfish, a custom-built boat designed for kayaking the natural sea caves of Anacapa Island. Guides tours are on presale now through May 1, 2019 at www.blueoceankayaking.com. Channel Islands Kayak Center also leads guided tours on Anacapa Island in addition to kayak tours within the harbor. They rent kayaks in addition to stand-up paddle boards. Doug’s Channel Islands Tours provides a myriad of excursions from chartered boats to whale watching, island kayaking, scuba diving and more. For those wanting to catch the fish of the day, Channel Islands Sportfishing Center offers guided fishing trips, whale watching and private boat charters. A wide variety of fresh fish can be found in the local waters including white sea bass, halibut, yellowtail, calio bass, cod and Rockfish, now underway.
With the Channel Islands National Park situated 11 miles offshore, this adventurous playground is just about one hour by boat from Oxnard leading visitors into a remote world of wonderment. Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to Channel Islands Park runs trips all year long where visitors can choose to hike the trails, kayak through the sea caves, and snorkel or dive through the underwater rain forest to view giant kelp, sea stars, sea cucumbers, bright sea urchins and so much more. Channel Islands National Park is home to 2,000 plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. For those who want to sleep under the stars, overnight camping on National Park Service-managed campground is available year-round, allowing visitors to experience the islands in a whole new way. There are two whale watching seasons – the Pacific Gray Whales, which migrate from December 26 through mid-April and the Blue Whales from June through September. Visitors might want to keep an eye out for playful dolphins who love to lap along side the boat on the journey.
Biking
Exploring Oxnard by bike is a fun way to see the city. Bike rentals are available at the Channel Islands Harbor, Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort and Residence Inn by Marriott. Bikes can be rented through Wheel Fun Rentals which offer all types of bikes including cruiser bikes, tandems, kid’s cycles, and tag-a-longs. Visitors can catch spectacular sights along Oxnard’s beachfront in addition to seeing a number of attractions along the way.
Golf and More
Renowned for its wide-open fairways and stunning setting, River Ridge Golf Club offers two amazing choices for golf enthusiasts. The Vineyard Course, an original Billy Bell Jr. course provides panoramic and ocean views with its four holes “on top of the world” surrounded by eight acres of water. A more strategic course, the 18-hole Victoria Lakes Course puts golfers to the test with its challenging course complete with beautiful terrains and greens. Just for kicks, River Ridge also offers FootGolf, combining the best of soccer with golf. River Ridge developed the first FootGolf course in California and provides an opportunity for both golfers and non-golfers to try out this Dutch spin on the game of golf.
Nearby Outdoor Opportunities
With Oxnard perfectly situated between geographically diverse expanses of land, visitors can easily access other nearby outdoor spots. Hike or backpack the trails in the Los Padres or Angeles Forests or jump on a mountain bike and cycle some of California’s famous trails. Fans of rock climbing can scale high peaks and thrill-seekers can even go skydiving in Oxnard’s neighboring city to the southeast. Camping is available along Pacific Coast Highway along with other outdoor activities including hiking, windsurfing and surf fishing. Oxnard adjacent to the Conejo Valley, also features mountain biking trails. For those who like to go by foot, hiking is available through the lush oak and sycamore lined trails leading to the stunningly beautiful Paradise Falls, a forty-foot waterfall, flowing into a large pool of water.
Superbloom
While enjoying the many outdoor activities in Oxnard and beyond, take time to stop and smell the flowers! The heavy rain that pounded the southland in 2019, is producing a bumper crop of wildflower species including poppies, lilies, sunflowers, and more. The bright colorful coreopsis can also be seen on Anacapa Island.
Planning an outdoor adventure? For more ideas and itineraries, go to www.visitoxnard.com.
About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau
Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.