Car Culture

A Car Enthusiast’s Guide to Oxnard, California

Hey, auto aficionados: if you didn’t already know, Oxnard is quickly gaining traction as one of California’s top destinations for gearheads. Enthusiastic about all things automotive? Oxnard is chock full of auto museums, car shows, cruise nights and meetups that rival those in the nation’s bigger cities. Warning: an exhaustive list of car puns to come…

A Brief History of Oxnard’s Car Culture

The Port of Hueneme – An Economic Driver

Perhaps one of the best explanations for why we’ve got gasoline running through our veins, the Port of Hueneme to the immediate south of Oxnard is the west coast’s gateway for the import and export of automobiles and other rolling stock, handling more than 5% of all U.S. car volume and 13.4% of all West Coast roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) tonnage.

The Oxnard Harbor District has contracts with BMW of North America, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) and Glovis, Inc. for the handling of vehicles transiting the Port. Car makes transiting The Port include: BMW, Mini Cooper, Rolls Royce, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Maserati, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Aston Martin, Mitsubishi, General Motors, Honda, Acura, Toyota, Nissan, Tesla, and Subaru.

Car Clubs & Community Involvement

With cultural ties dating back to the ‘70s, Oxnard car clubs are known for their passion for lowriders and classic cars, but also for their strong ties to family, community and local fundraising.

Take, for instance, Stylistics Car Club Oxnard, which was founded in the early ‘70s. Although no longer active, many of the current 25+ lowrider clubs in Ventura County can trace their existence back to Stylistics, which was the first organized car club in Ventura County and held meetings, fundraisers, dances and events benefitting the community.

Another club, still in existence, is City Life Oxnard, which was co-founded in 1977 by Ramon Lopez and uses its public platform to raise awareness about domestic violence.

With ages of membership ranging from 25 to 75, Pachuco Car Club Ventura County boasts the motto: “Peace, Unity and Respect.” Their club believes it’s not about the car, it’s about the person behind the wheel.

Additional Oxnard clubs include Viejitos Car Club Oxnard (est. 1990), Latin Bombas Oxnard (est. 2007), La Gente Car Club Chiques Oxnard (est. 2016), Ventura Classics Car Club (est. 2017), and more.

Although no longer active, many of the current 25+ lowrider clubs in Ventura County can trace their existence back to Stylistics, which was the first organized car club in Ventura County and held meetings, fundraisers, dances and events benefitting the community.

Car Museum

Oxnard is home to The Murphy Auto Museum. It houses a collection of more than 50 beautiful vintage automobiles and Americana spanning from 1903 to present day in addition to one of the largest vintage trailer collections in the western United States. (Please note: the Murphy Auto Museum is set to permanently close on Sunday July 7th. Plan your visit now to see this unique collection of cars before its gone).

Car Shows & Events

Looking for things to do? Stop spinning your wheels, and put the pedal to the metal with these Oxnard events sure to get your engine going…

Muscles & Mojo Morning Car Shows – 1st Sundays every month

Bring your vintage or classic car to The Murphy Auto Museum on the first Sunday of the month. Free coffee, free Hot Wheels and free admission to the museum during the Muscles & Mojo Morning Car Show events (7am to 9am).

Fireball Art Gallery Opening at The Murphy Auto Museum

Named for Fireball Tim Lawrence (his legal name), the official Fireball Art Gallery at The Murphy Auto Museum, celebrates the works of famed pin stripers, photographers, and painter/illustrators. The nostalgic automotive art gallery features work focused on the world’s best in automotive pop culture and design.

(Please note: the Murphy Auto Museum is set to permanently close on Sunday July 7th. Plan your visit now to see this beautiful art collection & unique automobiles before its gone).

Downtown Oxnard Cruise Nights – 2nd Fridays *Summer only

Classic and specialty car fans cruise into Downtown Oxnard in the summertime for Oxnard Cruise Night, held every 2nd Friday from May through July. Merchants stay open late with special hours on Historic B & 5th Streets around Plaza Park, with locals and visitors alike coming together to share in their mutual admiration of the flashy autos on display.

Classics by the Sea: Father’s Day Wooden Boat Show & Classic Car Show

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum hosts its annual Father’s Day event, featuring classic wooden boats from yesteryear on a dockside display, with a selection of classic cars in the lot adjacent. Museum admission is required to attend this event.

Catchin’ A Memory Father’s Day Car Show & Fundraiser

Catch a memory with pops at this Father’s Day Car Show & Fundraiser, featuring more than 150 cars of all makes and models, including motorcycles at Channel Islands Harbor’s Harbor View Park. Proceeds benefit two non-profits: Reel Guppy Outdoors and Mission FISH.

Annual Vintage Trailer Show

Step back in time at the Annual Vintage Trailer Show at The Murphy Auto Museum. Tour vintage trailers and campers from private collectors, decorated with period correct old-school camping memorabilia to boot. Additionally on display are 50+ vintage cars, the Fireball Gallery, Americana and period clothing. Food and music too! This is The Murphy’s biggest event of the year.

Central Coast British Car Club Show

More than 140 of the United Kingdom’s best imports from the 1930s on will be on display during the Annual Central Coast British Car Club Show. The event includes an auto parts swap meet, food booths and entertainment. The event and parking are free.

Vintage VW Car Show

The Channel Islands Harbor will host the Vintage Volkswagen Cruise and Car Show at Harbor View Park. Keep. Date TBA; stay tuned (up).

Annual Oxnard Police Department Downtown Car Show

Supported by The Murphy Auto Museum, the Annual Oxnard Police Department Car Show hosts vendors, raffles, trophies and music. Proceeds benefit the DRAGG program, an afterschool program in the City of Oxnard where Police Officers and people from the automotive industry mentor local high school students in skillsets that range from basic automotive repair to creative car customization.

Annual Electric Car Show

As part of National Drive Electric Week, Plug in America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association in partnership with the Sustainability Council of Ventura County present this electric vehicle car show at Channel Islands Harbor. Find a variety of makes and models on display, all of which contribute to low cost commuting and lower levels of air pollution.

Ponies by the Sea

Watch Tri-County Mustang Club flex their muscle at the Ponies by the Sea car show in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor; free for attendees, proceeds from registration fees will benefit Guide Dogs of America. An awards ceremony will give prizes to winners of People’s Choice, Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Engine, Doggie’s Choice, and a special “Most Likely to get a Ticket,” awarded by the California Highway Patrol.

Cars and Coffee Oxnard – Monthly Community Event

Cars and Coffee Oxnard – Monthly Community Event

Check @carsandcoffeeoxnard on Instagram for the next Cars and Coffee Oxnard meetup at Seabridge Marketplace in Oxnard. Bring your car, grab a cup of jamoke from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and mingle from 7am to 10am; dates announced monthly.

Air filters aren’t just for cars! You can also check “What is the Best Air Purifier” with Home Air Guides.

Conclusion

From car museums to car shows, Oxnard is a go-to destination for people who love their automobiles. Whether you’re in town for a classic car show or a car meet up, check out the top things to do in Oxnard to help you plan your trip.

Need a place to stay? Extend your getaway and book your accommodations today!