Oxnard Story Ideas
- OXNARD IS HOME TO A CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER – Travelers can discover what there is to see and do in Oxnard, across Ventura County and along the Central Coast region at the California Welcome Center in Oxnard, establishedin May 2007. Located in Collection Shopping Center, visitors will find travel planning advice, lodging reservations, attraction ticket sales, guide maps, Internet access and even California merchandise. Plus, the CWC added a Wine Tasting Room in its new location at the Collection where visitors can sample and purchase select wines along the Ventura County Wine Trail.
- TAKE A TRIP “SIDEWAYS” IN OXNARD – Oxnard is part of the Ventura County Wine Trail and houses the Herzog Wine Cellars, the largest Kosher winery on the West Coast! The 77,000 square foot winery contains two private tasting rooms, visitor’s center, conference room, outdoor patio, cooking classes, an upscale gift shop, and Tierra Sur Restaurant with a 28 Zagat rating. Self-guided tours are offered. Other wine stops along the trail in Oxnard include Rancho Ventavo Wine Cellars in Heritage Square plus Magnavino Cellars and Strey Cellars.
- A BIT OF NOSTALGA IN DOWNTOWN OXNARD – The world’s only Woolworth Museum is located in the original Woolworth Building in downtown Oxnard! The museum displays old products, menus, historical items, photographs, books, lunch counter items, and many other artifacts. There is also a section of working vending machines from the 1950’s and electromechanical games that are still playable. Hungry? Fresh & Fabulous, offering great salads, sandwiches as well as bakery items is located there.
- GREAT ENTERTAINMENT & FOOD CAN BE FOUND IN DOWNTOWN OXNARD –An afternoon or evening of fun on the town can be found atCentennial Plaza, located at Fifth and “B” Streets. The plaza contains a 14-screen movie theater surrounded by several eateries surround the plaza including5th Street Steak & Seafood, Cold Stone Creamery, Sugar Beets Restaurant and Starbuck’s Coffee. A parking structure is located adjacent to the site, adding convenience and more parking options.
- A WORLD CLASS MUSEUM JUST AN HOUR AWAY FROM LOS ANGELES –Home to some of the finest historic French automobiles from the Bugatti to the Voisin, the Mullin Automotive Museum is one of the most exciting museum’s in Oxnard. The Museum, previously owned by legendary newspaperman, Otis Chandler, contains some of the most beautifully styled and amazingly engineered and notable cars which have won prestigious awards at the Concours d ’Elegance throughout the world. In addition to cars, the Museum also houses beautiful French furniture and decorative art from this influential era. The Museum is open on selected Saturdays each month.
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- FUN ON THE WATER IN OXNARD’S PICTURSEQUE CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR – Looking for outdoor adventure or perhaps just a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge? Venture to Channel Islands Harbor and see Oxnard’s coastal side. Make a stop at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, where nautical models and rare maritime artwork is displayed. Marine Emporium Landing, an attraction in itself, contains all types of water activities from sportfishing to kayaking to jet skis, electric boats and gondola cruises. A wide variety culinary delights can also be found here from Brazilian food to fresh seafood. The Scarlett Belle Paddlewheel Riverboat (available for group coastal cruises & parties) is also housed in the Harbor, mixing one part of southern hospitality with one part west coast fun!
- A NATIONAL PARK IN OXNARD’S BACKYARD – The Channel IslandsNational Park sits 11 miles off the coast of Oxnard. Daily excursions are offered to AnacapaIsland, the most popular island in the five-island chain. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, and some of the best scuba diving in the world! Island Packers is the official concessionaire to the Channel Islands.
- LOCAL FARMS – From strawberries to carrots, visitors can witness California agriculture at its best. Two Farmers’ Markets are in town – one in downtown on Thursdays and the other on Sundays in Channel IslandsHarbor.
- HERITAGE SQUARE – Turn of the century homes are restored or replicated and in the summer the area becomes a popular outdoor concert venue coined, “Oxnard’s own Hollywood Bowl!” The houses are all dressed up for the holidays during the Victorian Christmas Tours in December. Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday.
- CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL – Where everything from pizzas to shortcake comes up strawberry and attracts nearly 70,000 visitors each year. See waiters and waitress races, Strawberry Blonde Competitions and well-known musical bands. An award-winning Arts & Crafts Fair and children’s area rounds out the activities. Held every third weekend of May.
- SPICE IT UP! – The Oxnard Salsa Festival held late July celebrates everything salsa … the food, the music and the dance. Event highlights include Main Stage entertainment with popular Latin & Salsa bands, Vendor Marketplace, Kids Korner, recipe contests, Salsa Tasting Tent and so much more.
- CARNEGIE ART MUSEUM – Built in 1906, the Carnegie Art Museum offers changing exhibits and highlights local art. The Carnegie is the only museum in Ventura County that contains fine art. Adjacent is CAM Studio Gallery, providing more opportunities to see fine art.
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- WHALE WATCHING SEASON – The Pacific Gray Whales make a big splash in Oxnard during whale watching season, December through early April. Daily excursions are offered direct from Channel Islands Harbor highlighting the annual migration. The Blue Whales come on the scene starting in June through September.
- WHAT’S IN A NAME – A LOT! -- Where did the name “Oxnard” come from? It’s a historic name derived from the Oxnard Brothers who started a sugar beet factory in the city that blends agriculture with the ocean. Henry, James, Benjamin and Robert Oxnard were the city’s founders.
- HISTORIC HOMES IN A NEIGHBORHOOD SETTING – Oxnard is home to a number of craftsman-style houses, all with their own distinctive personalities. The Henry T. Oxnard District was placed on the National Historic Register in 1999, and is an attraction in itself. The neighborhood, which lies along “F” and “G” Streets, is brightly lit in December during Christmas Tree Lane and homes are on display in the fall during the Autumn Home Tours.
- BEACH BUM – One of Oxnard’s most shining jewels is its broad, sandy beaches. Oxnard’s beaches are complete with beautiful sand dunes, sunsets and incredible views of the outlying Channel Islands. The Hollywood elite was known for frolicking on HollywoodBeach in the early days of film, hence the name was derived! Silver Strand and OxnardStateBeachPark each have their own unique offerings too. Uncrowded, the beaches are fabulous for surfing, swimming, biking, roller blading or simply taking in Oxnard’s share of coastal sun. Ed Hunt Rehab Point at OxnardStateBeachPark has a concrete pathway providing wheelchair access to the beach. Beautiful sunsets along OxnardStateBeach are to be enjoyed when nighttime falls.
- IT’S TEE TIME IN OXNARD – Golfers can set their course and perfect their swing at the River Ridge Golf Course, designed by Billy Bell Jr., in the mid 1980’s. River Ridge is renowned for its wide open fairways, low lying roughs, superb bent/poa annua greens and five lakes spanning the back nine holes. The Vineyard Course has undergone several designs and provides panoramic views of Oxnard and Ventura County. River Ridge recently added a twist to the game – FootGolf. The first California course to offer the international sport, River Ridge completed a new coursespecifically designed for this sport, whereplayers utilize a soccer ball instead of a golf ball. Whatever your preference, it’s all waiting at River Ridge!