Oxnard

Oxnard is a major transportation hub in Ventura County. With a population of over 200,000 in 2020, Oxnard is Ventura's largest city.

Understand

Get in

By car

The main road at Oxnard is U.S. 101. Highway 1, which is only two lanes in width, is slower but more scenic; traffic can make the route extremely slow along the Southern California-Central coastline.

By train
See also: Rail travel in the United States

By plane
  • 🌍 Oxnard Airport (OXR  IATA). General aviation only 

Get around

By bus

Gold Coast Transit serves Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura. Bus service is limited. Their phone number is: +1 805-487-4222.

See
  • Plaza Park (where 5th Street & C Street meet — central Oxnard). Various events are hosted during the year, and there are retail shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and a museum in the vicinity. 
  • 🌍 Carnegie Art Museum. There are quarterly exhibit changes and portions of the permanent collection are displayed periodically. The museum is closed between the exhibits for art installation. 
  • Heritage Square, 715 S A St, ☏ +1 805-483-7960, toll-free: +1-877-698-5594. Oxnard's cultural, agricultural, and historical heritage comes alive in this block in downtown. There are replicated and original historical buildings. Buildings have been moved from other parts of Oxnard to this square, and collectively, these relocated and restored structures are known as Heritage Square. The square and grounds serve as a setting for visitor center, community theatre, historic presentations, visitor center, special events, and meetings. 
  • Murphy Auto Museum, 1930 Eastman Ave, ☏ +1 805-487-4333. Sa Su 10AM-4PM. 
  • Ventura County Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Cir, ☏ +1 805-984-6260. Th-Su Noon-4PM. Two of the largest collections of antique sailing ship models in the United States are on display. Seven rare bone models made by French prisoners-of-war-in the 18th century sit regally under glass. Maritime art adorn the walls, giving an all encompassing seafaring encounter. Adults $10, under 18 free. 

Do
  • Channel Islands National Park - While the park is close to mainland California, it is worlds apart from its neighbor. The park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment; consequently, many natural and cultural resources are preserved and protected here. Over thousands of years, isolation has created unique plants, animals, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was. Take a ferry or boat ride from Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor in order to reach Channel Islands National Park.
  • Whale Watching Tour - Usually from late December to the end of April. Take a whale watching tour from Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor and have a chance to see the annual Grey Whale migration. You may be even able to spot all 28 species of whales and dolphins that have been identified along the Ventura County coast line.
  • Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. Late July to Mid August. Dallas Cowboys Training Camp has been held in Oxnard since the summer of 2004. Have the opportunity to meet the players, get autographs, and take pictures with the super bowl trophy. 
  • California Strawberry Festival, 3250 South Rose Ave (Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard Community College), ☏ +1 805-385-4739, toll-free: +1-800-288-9242, fax: +1 805 385-4729, . Third weekend of May. With live musical entertainment, over 300 Arts & Crafts, 50 food booths with yummy berry favorites, gooey contests, the Strawberry Promenade, Star Berry Hunt, Strawberryland For Kids, and more, it's the perfect celebration of the region's agricultural heritage with proceeds benefiting more than 40 Southland charities. 
  • Oxnard Salsa Festival, 500 S. C St. (Plaza Park), ☏ +1 805-247-0197, . Last weekend of July. A two-day celebration of everything salsa – the food, the music, and the dance. Experience spicy food, hot music and Oxnard's cool ocean breezes. Make sure you go to the "Salsa Tasting Tent" where you can try dozens of different salsas – from mild to wild – dished up by local restaurants and salsa vendors. Events include 5K and 10K run. 
  • Heritage Square Summer Concerts, 715 S. A St, ☏ +1 805-483-7960, toll-free: +1-877-698-5594, fax: +1 805 486-6904, . Jun–Aug: F 6PM-8PM. Often described as "the Hollywood Bowl of Oxnard" - one of Ventura County's most enjoyable outdoor entertainment experiences with styles ranging from reggae to swing and from country to rock'n'roll. 
  • Channel Islands Harbor's Annual Fine Arts Festival, 2741 Victoria Ave., ☏ +1 805-985-4852, . Mid July. The event features original works of art consisting of acrylics, etchings, photography, oils, watercolors and sculptures. Visitors also are able to choose from a number of high-quality crafts, including ceramics, stained glass, woodcrafts, jewelry and gift items. Free. 
  • Festival of Sail. Held in Early August at Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor. Tall Ships from around the world converge on Channel Islands Harbor in a magnificent display of seafaring power and beauty. Stroll harborside and enjoy these beautiful ships close up, or climb aboard to explore the decks and hear first hand their history. You even have the opportunity to be part of a sea-battle re-enactment. 
  • Oxnard Independent Film Festival. Held in Late September. Event included seven days of screening independent films, such as short films, animation, student films, features, docs, and more. Following the closing night film, the festival continuous at a restaurant in Plaza Park, to announce the year's best of awards. Note that anyone can submit a film at a shoot for screening his or her film by going to the festival website. 
  • Multicultural Festival. Held in Early October. The Multicultural Festival is held annually at Plaza Park, in the heart of the City of Oxnard for the sole purpose of celebrating the rich diversity of its residents. Peoples of every culture come together to learn and discover their shared values, in an atmosphere that honors all. Food vendors, offering a variety of ethnic foods, bring to the community an explosion of aromas and flavors, from places far and near, to make anyone's mouth water. 

Eat
  • Jesse's El Taco de Mexico, 120 W 7th Street.. This hole-in-the-wall has the best burritos anywhere. Try their steak (asada) burritos. 
  • Topper's Pizza Place. This local pizzeria chain is found throughout Ventura County and it is known for its delicious pizza. Try their Canadian bacon/ham pizza, it's incredible. 
  • Taqueria El Tapatio, 421 S Ventura Rd, ☏ +1 805-382-2376. Authentic Mexican food specializing in taste of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Very good, non-greasy carne asada, thick beans, fluffy rice, and rich aguas. Establishment is very clean, and service bar staff is very courteous. Casual dining at its best. Second location on Ventura Rd and 5th street is even better. Wheelchair accessible. 
  • Suvarnaphumi Thai Cuisine, 2148 Saviers Rd., ☏ +1 805-486-1300. Traditional Thai recipes come to life at this small strip-mall favorite. Don't be put off by the unassuming exterior; a pleasant dining room and spacious patio are concealed within. A wealth of appetizers, soups, salads, and tasty chef-recommended specialties delight hungry diners. 
  • Hollywood Beach Cafe, 117 Los Altos Drive, ☏ +1 805-590-2233. Park your bike by the berms of sand blown from Hollywood Beach down the street and try a sizable breakfast burrito or brunch option. 

Drink

Sleep

Camping
  • McGrath State Beach Campground, 2211 N Harbor Blvd. (1.2 miles south of Olivas Park Dr.), ☏ +1 805-968-1033, . Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Don't expect privacy if camping at McGrath. The spaces are small and packed close together with room for little more than a parking space, a table, and a fire pit. Tents are pitched in large meadow areas behind the campsites with no demarcation between sites. If you have a couple of large groups near each other, you may need to negotiate for places to pitch tents. Also note that a shift in the coastal dunes has resulted in flooding of the rear areas of the campground so getting to the beach is impossible from the campground and the flooding created marshes in the rear meadow areas. Some of the campsites at the back will also experience intermittent flooding so try to avoid those. $35. 

Go next
  • Ventura - Located on the coast 8 miles north of Oxnard, Ventura is home to many interesting shops, the historic Mission San Buenaventura, and is the gateway for excursions to the Channel Islands National Park.
Routes through Oxnard
Santa Barbara ← Ventura ←  N  S  → Camarillo → Los Angeles
Santa Barbara ← Ventura ← Merges with ←  N  S  → Malibu → Long Beach
Santa Barbara ← Ventura ←  N  S  → Camarillo → Los Angeles


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