A coastal city in Southern California with strawberry fields and wide beaches. Home to Channel Islands Harbor and the annual California Strawberry Festival.
Oxnard, California, lies on the Central Coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, mixing farm traditions with seaside activities. As the largest city in Ventura County, visitors come for the Carnegie Art Museum’s changing exhibits, the California Strawberry Festival’s creative recipes, and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum’s ship artifacts. The harbor here is the main starting point for trips to Channel Islands National Park, home to sea caves and animals found nowhere else. You can tour Victorian-era houses at Heritage Square, surf at Silver Strand Beach, and try tacos from stands known across California. Mild winters and a slow pace give Oxnard a small-town feel alongside opportunities for hiking, boating, and exploring museums.
Beaches and Water Activities
Oxnard’s coastline includes golden dunes and gentle shores. Oxnard Beach Park was named the best West Coast beach by USA Today. At Silver Strand Beach, surfers find reliable waves, and Mandalay Beach has broad sandy areas suitable for families. Rent electric boats or join kayak tours from Channel Islands Harbor to see nearby wetlands and seals resting on buoys. From the harbor, you can take whale-watching trips or catch ferries to Anacapa Island. Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach lets you stay right by the ocean in rooms overlooking the water.
Channel Islands National Park
A one-hour boat trip from Oxnard takes you to Channel Islands National Park, known for ecosystems found nowhere else in North America. Visit Anacapa or Santa Cruz islands to see sea caves, kelp forests, and groups of elephant seals. Hike trails where rare foxes and yellow wildflowers called coreopsis grow. Snorkel or dive in waters filled with bright orange garibaldi fish and octopuses. You can camp overnight with a permit, but bring all supplies since the islands have few services.
Museums and Historical Sites
The Carnegie Art Museum occupies a 1907 Beaux-Arts building and displays modern art from California. It holds art classes for adults and children. People interested in cars can see French Art Deco vehicles at the Mullin Automotive Museum. The Chandler Vintage Museum has old motorcycles and dioramas of African animals. Heritage Square keeps 19th-century homes like the McGrath House, a Queen Anne-style building with weekend tours. Oxnard Historic Farm Park displays early 1900s farming equipment and preserved barns.
Annual Events and Local Food
Each May, the California Strawberry Festival takes over Oxnard with strawberry tamales, pizzas, and churros made by local vendors. In July, the Oxnard Salsa Festival features live bands, dance contests, and salsa samples from area restaurants. Follow the Oxnard Taco Trail to sample birria, al pastor, and seafood tacos. Family-owned stands like Tacos La Bonita serve these dishes year-round. At The Collection at RiverPark, watch comedians like David Spade perform or attend concerts in the outdoor plaza.
Getting Around
Oxnard Transit Center links Amtrak trains, Metrolink, and buses, with direct routes to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Oxnard Airport flies daily to Phoenix and Denver; LAX sits 90 minutes southeast by car. Driving is easy on the grid-pattern streets, and beaches downtown have free parking. Bike on paved paths by Channel Islands Harbor. Ride-share apps work across the city.
Sports and Outdoor Fun
River Ridge Fields is where the Dallas Cowboys practice during preseason, with some sessions open to spectators from late July through August. Golf at River Ridge Golf Club’s courses that look out over the ocean, created by designer David A. Rainville. La Colonia Youth Center trains boxers, continuing Oxnard’s history with the sport. Hike or mountain bike trails at Point Mugu State Park, where Mugu Peak gives wide views of the Pacific.
Weather and Planning Advice
Oxnard has a Mediterranean climate with summer highs around 70°F and winter highs near 65°F. Morning fog occurs often from May to August. Bring jackets for beach visits and sun protection for island boat trips. April through October brings festivals, while November to March sees fewer visitors but still pleasant temperatures. Check tide schedules before visiting Hollywood Beach’s tide pools. Book ferry tickets to the Channel Islands two weeks ahead.
