Oxnard is a lively beach town on California’s Central Coast next to Ventura. Known for it magnificent beaches, a well preserved historic downtown, Channel Islands National Park, and numerous festivals that take place year round, Oxnard is a wonderful West Coast weekend destination. Here are the best things to do on your weekend getaway to Oxnard.
Mandalay State Beach
Mandalay State Beach looks like all California beaches used to look like hundreds of years ago. This natural, romantic, wild beach starts at the end of the Oxnard’s West 5th Street. It is deliberately left in its wild state without facilities, since it is located next to the large Mandalay County Park, a preserve for California’s fragile dunes, dunes plants, wildlife, and adjacent wetlands.
The Least Tern and the Snowy Plover, two threatened bird species, regularly nest at Mandalay Beach. The beach is also popular with surfers who like to start at Mandalay and surf north towards a beach break near the power plant. From Mandalay beach, it is an easy hike to Oxnard Beach Park down the coast and McGrath State Beach up the coast.
Elite Theatre
Since 1964 the Elite Theatre has been bringing top-class live theatre entertainment to Oxnard. The company is located at the old Maritime Museum at the Channel Islands Harbor Fisherman’s Wharf, where it brings both amateur and professional local artists together for your entertainment. In an initiative to bring the joy of performing arts to all members of the community, the Elite offers free tickets to deserving community members through their Arts are for Everyone program. During the average season the Elite produces at least 5 Main Stage productions as well as a Youth Productions, Open Mic Nights, Play Readings and much more.
Elite Theatre, 2731 S. Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 93035, 805-483-5118
Oxnard State Beach and Park
Oxnard State Beach and Park is a beautiful wide beach with fine, white sand. It is particularly lovely when wildflowers are blooming in the surrounding dunes. The many tall palms allow you to experience an area that is quintessential California. The beach is part of the Oxnard State Park, with many picnic tables, barbecues, expanses of lawns and paved pathways.
A fantastic kids’ pirate playground set back from the beach has sculptures of huge sea monsters and giant turtles, all sorts of rides, baby swings, seesaws, seahorse bouncy, rock climbing, and so much more. The park is popular among local families who often spend a whole day on the beach during the weekend.
Channel Islands Harbor
Channel Islands Harbor is your gateway to the scenic Channel Islands, but a fun destination on its own as well. This 50-year-old working harbor has great sandy parks for picnics and swimming and a network of biking and hiking paths. You can choose from many excellent restaurants when you get hungry, and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum always has an exciting exhibition on display.
The museum has a great collection of ship models and some spectacular maritime art. Once in the Harbor, you can book a boat charter, rent a boat or diving equipment, join a whale-watching trip, or, if you came with your own boat, dock at the harbor and enjoy its modern facilities.
Silver Strand Beach
Silver Strand Beach is considered the best surfing beach in Oxnard. This mile-long sandy beach is located between the Channel Islands Harbor and Port Hueneme and has restrooms, showers, lifeguards during the summer, and, at the north end, a scenic viewing platform at the entrance to the Channel Islands Harbor.
The platform is a spot many visitors use to try to catch sight of the local marine life, including dolphins and harbor seals. It is one of the few beaches in Oxnard where dogs are allowed. A great swimming beach, Silver Strand is also popular for snorkeling and fishing and has facilities for camping and RVs.
Channel Islands Maritime Museum
The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is a family-friendly attraction featuring paintings, ship models, education programs, and a range of rotating exhibits. For younger visitors, there are field trips and educational tours, and visitors of all ages can enjoy featured exhibitions throughout the year.
These displays usually focus on a master of maritime art such as model ship builders or painters. For visitors who enjoy the history of art, there are collections of maritime paintings spanning three centuries, and the museum also hosts events including guest speakers, musical events, and even sea themed food competitions such as Chowderfest.
3900 S Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035, 805-984-6260
Oxnard Historic Farm Park
The Oxnard Historic Farm Park protects and showcases the two oldest buildings in the county and provides a museum where local residents and visitors can come and learn about the history of the area. Located on the fertile Oxnard Plain, the area has been cultivated by generations of migrants from Spain, Mexico and Germany. Today you will find the museum housed in the main building, which has been restored to its original 1870’s style. Other on-site attractions include a variety of historic farm implements in the display barn, two small vineyards planted in the 1870’s, fruit orchards and demonstration gardens.
Oxnard Historic Farm Park, 1251 Gottfried Place, Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-844-9877
Heritage Square
For a little piece of history, head to Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard. The “square” is actually a cluster of restored historic buildings, and there are docent tours available with tour leaders dressed in period garb to walk you through the history of the area. If you are wondering what to do in Oxnard today, this is a great place to start exploring. The site also features over twenty-five different businesses such as wine tastings, restaurants, and a visitor center and gift shop.
You can take afternoon tea in the Rose Garden, and Heritage Square can also be booked as a wedding venue. It also hosts open-air concerts throughout the year as well as other events such as cooking classes.
715 S A Street, Oxnard, CA 93030-7178, 805-483-7960
The Murphy Auto Museum
Celebrating the history of the automobile over the past 100 years, The Murphy Auto Museum has more than sixty lovingly restored classic cars on display. There is a permanent automobile collection as well as a working model railway that stretches over 1800 square feet and is operated on the weekends so that visitors can see the railway in action.
The museum also operates exhibitions such as period car shows by local clubs, and non-permanent exhibitions focus on famous figures in the automobile industry. Displays include biographies, photographs, and personal memorabilia for visitors to enjoy. The museum is so dedicated to the preservation and restoration of vintage automobiles that they even have an in-house mechanic!
1930 Eastman Avenue, Oxnard, California 93030, 805-487-4333
The Collection at Riverpark
The Collection at Riverpark is a shopping center featuring a wide range of lifestyle options. The center has a number of shopping opportunities, including their anchor tenants such as supermarkets as well as a mix of smaller boutiques and well-known brands.
If you are feeling hungry after a morning of shopping then you can choose from a huge selection of outlets, from snacks options like sandwich shops and ice cream parlors to upscale restaurants showcasing cuisine from around the world. After shopping and eating you can stop by lifestyle outlets including hair and beauty salons, fitness studios, and establishments offering art classes, and The Collection at Riverpark even has a movie theatre if you want to catch the latest release.
2751 Park View Ct #261, Oxnard, CA 93036, 805-278-9500
Magnavino Cellars
Visit Magnavino Cellars to learn about all things wine related at this stunning working winery. The cellars produce their own range of award winning beverages and are involved at every step of the growing, picking, fermenting, and bottling process. Now, visitors can witness this process firsthand and sample the wines on offer in a tasting room with echoes of rural Tuscany.
As well as tours and tastings, the winery hosts periodical events that include food and music events in collaboration with local businesses and musicians, and there is a wine club for wine aficionados as well as a wine shop so that visitors can take home their own bottle of Magnavino Cellars’ signature blends.
961 North Rice Street, Suite 5, Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-983-2500
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
The Oxnard Performing Arts Center is a theater complex geared towards trade shows, business meeting spaces, corporate or informal seminars, and a wealth of other events. In addition to a full working theatre space there are also eight meeting rooms, and the centre can accommodate groups of up to 4,000 spectators.
The center is great for more than just corporate events – there are beautiful and scenic patio spaces available that can be used for wedding receptions, parties, banquets, or other social meetings. This performing arts center also hosts a plethora of events such as games nights, musical recitals, concerts, and performing arts showcases.
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-385-8147 / 805-486-2424
Levity Live
Levity Live and the Copper Blues Rock Pub and Kitchen first opened to the public in 2016. Since then this wonderful entertainment venue has established itself as one of the best comedy clubs in the region. The venue uniquely combines great live comedy with excellent live music all under one roof. They also serve great food and drinks, making this an excellent destination for anyone wanting to enjoy a good night out in Ventura County. The close proximity to Hollywood (50 miles) means that the venue attracts a large number of A-list comedians. While you enjoy the show you can feast on a good selection of snacks and entrees including burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, tacos and more.
Levity Live, Levity Live, 591 Collection Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93036, 805-457-5550
Channel Islands National Park Kayaking
For visitors who want to take to the waters that are a part of the Channel Islands National Park, look no further than kayaking. A tour company can take you to Anacapa Island were you can enjoy a day meeting fellow kayaking enthusiasts and paddling around the crystal clear waters exploring the local sea caves. The island is also home to a plethora of flora and fauna, and you will get a chance to see whales, dolphins, sea lions, and a wide variety of indigenous sea birds in their natural habitat. Video
River Ridge Golf Club
Occupying prime position alongside the Santa Clara River in the seaside town of Oxnard, the 36-hole River Ridge Golf Club is a firm favorite with golfing enthusiasts. Golfers can choose between two excellent 18-hole courses, the links-style Vineyard Course and the Victoria Lakes Course or book two rounds and try both. The two courses wend their way around no less than 8 acres of water features which add both challenge and beauty to your round of golf. The Vineyard Course culminates in the signature “island hole”. The courses are enjoyable for all ability levels with four different sets of tees to accommodate all golfers.
River Ridge Golf Club, 2401 W. Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93036, 805-983-4653
Herzog Wine Cellars
With nearly six centuries of production, Herzog Wine Cellars offers a captivating look at the history of wine making over the years. Visitors to the cellars can go on a tasting tour to see how the wines are made and to hear about the origins of Herzog Wine Cellars.
They can also dine at the onsite restaurant. The establishment has a wine club and a wine shop that sells the wines made at Herzog Wine Cellars, and there are entertaining and educational events throughout the year such as collaborations with local businesses, including tapas and wine events held on Fridays.
Herzog Wine Cellars, 3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-983-1560
Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Oxnard, California
Visiting Lazy Dog is like going to a comfortable mountain lodge that is both rustic and inviting with exposed beams, a blazing fire pit, comfy chairs, and funky dog sculptures. Colorful bottles at the bar and numerous TV screens all around add a touch of vibrancy. The atmosphere is cheerful and lively and the food is fabulous, whether you are bringing new clients or your family for a Sunday lunch.
They call their menu “global comfort fare,” which means they have a bit of everything, from stir-fries, pastas, and pot roast to pizzas, burgers, and delicious cakes. You can get a nice cold beer, and your pooch will get a bowl of water on the pleasant outdoor patio. There is even a special dog menu.
Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, 598 Town Center Dr, Oxnard, CA 93036, 805-351-4888
