Introduction
Oxnard, California is a charming coastal city with a small-town feel and big-city amenities. There are plenty of things to do in Oxnard, whether you’re looking to spend some time on the beach or explore the area’s wine country. Check out our list of the 14 best things to do in Oxnard, California!
Go to the beach
- Oxnard has several great beaches that you can visit. Surfers love Pleasure Point, while families tend to flock to El Rio Beach Park and the Oxnard Shores Sportfishing Pier. The city also has a wonderful aquarium and an integrated living shoreline program designed to protect the wetlands from pollution and erosion. You’ll truly enjoy your time at these beaches if you bring along a picnic lunch or dinner!* Eat at a beachside restaurant
- Many restaurants along Ventura County’s coastline offer dining options with scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, including:
- Granada Restaurant’s location overlooking Port Hueneme Harbor is perfect for watching boats come in or out (and there’s even live music on certain nights).
- Gonzales Yacht Club serves up delicious dishes with views of Rose Canyon Lake just south of Ventura City Hall on California State Route 33.
Visit a lavender farm
If you love lavender, then a visit to a lavender farm is a must. Lavender is known for its ability to calm the nerves and soothe the soul. It can be used in everything from cold remedies to perfumes, but it’s also great just sitting around and smelling it.
If you’re planning on visiting one of these farms with family or friends, there are tons of fun things that you could do together: take pictures; pick your favorite flower; relax on the grass in front of an open field full of flowers, or even make some lavender-infused tea!
Go whale watching or dolphin watching
The California coast is a popular place to go whale watching, but dolphins are more common along the coast. If you’re looking to see whales, many companies offer whale-watching tours from Ventura and Oxnard.
You can also go whale watching from the shore in Oxnard at the Channel Islands National Park or just north of Santa Barbara (near Los Angeles), which is where you’ll find some of Southern California’s best spots for spotting whales. Dolphins can be seen year-round so if you’re interested in viewing them too, there will be plenty of opportunities for that as well!
Visit the Channel Island National Park
This is the best place to go if you want to spend your time discovering and exploring. The Channel Islands National Park has a lot of amazing things for you to see and enjoy. There are different activities that you can do there such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, camping, and hiking as well as whale watching or bird watching.
You can visit their website for more information about what they have available at the park including maps of trails available for hiking or biking in certain areas like Ventura Rd., Camino Real, or West Beach Road where visitors can bring their bikes along with them!
Go surfing
When you think of Oxnard, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it a city filled with surfers? Well, yes. Surfing is one of the best things to do in Oxnard California. There are many different beaches where you can surf in Oxnard, including Spinnaker Point Beach and Dockweiler Beach. You’ll need certain equipment if you want to surf:
- A board (any type will do)
- Leash (to keep your board attached)
- Surfboard wax (to help you get on your board)
- Wetsuit or drysuit (depending on how cold it is outside)
Take a tour of a winery
Here’s something you probably never thought of doing: taking a tour of a winery. Tours can be fun and educational, and they’re great ways to meet new people. There are many different types of tours available in Oxnard today, including Spanish-language tours and private group tours. The cost of the tour varies based on what you get during it (tastings, etc.), but most tours are free!
Check out some murals and street art
When you think of murals, you probably imagine large paintings that adorn the sides of buildings. But these are just forms of public art. Another is street art—a term used to describe any form of public artwork created in a non-gallery space.
Street art can take many forms: murals, sculptures, installations, and more! The most common type of street art seen around Oxnard is graffiti—the unauthorized application of paint or other materials on walls or surfaces in an urban area. In other words: a lot like spray painting on your wall at home (without your mom telling you it’s bad).
If you’re looking for some nice pieces to see while visiting Oxnard, check out our local murals here: http://www.oxnardmuralwalk.com/.
Hike through Santa Clara River Estuary
Hiking through the Santa Clara River Estuary is one of the best ways to experience nature and wildlife in Oxnard. The river runs through Oxnard and empties into the ocean at Dockweiler State Beach. It’s a 3-mile hike from start to finish, but there are multiple spots along the way where you can stop and take photos, enjoy some food from your picnic basket, or just sit down on a rock for a while!
The best time of year to visit is during winter because it’s less crowded than during summertime when everyone wants beach time. If possible try going midweek so that it will be less busy on weekends if you’re an avid hiker like me 😉 You should expect temperatures between 60°F (15°C) at night throughout spring until fall–so bring extra layers if necessary! You’ll know when summer arrives though because temps will rise over 90°F (32°C).
This trail isn’t too difficult but I’d recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers since most parts of this path are paved with concrete slabs which could become slippery due to rainwater runoff after heavy rains.”
Take an art class at Studio Channel Islands
If you’re ever looking for an art class in Oxnard that won’t break the bank, Studio Channel Islands is the place to go. The classes are taught by some of Ventura County’s best local artists, and they are held at the Rubicon Theatre which is a public space. This means it’s free!
You can take classes in all different mediums including painting, photography, and ceramics. If you want to meet like-minded people while learning a new skill then this is something worth checking out!
Go antiquing
Oxnard is a city that’s not only known for its delicious food but also for its variety of antique shops. This makes Oxnard an ideal place to antique with friends, family, or even on your own! Depending on the type of antiques you are looking for, you may be able to find them at one of these four places:
- The Antique Alley
- Red Barn Antiques
- King City Antiques and Collectibles – King City (located in Santa Rosa Valley)
- Buellton Antiques Galleria
Watch the sunset at Mandalay Beach
- Get there early
- Bring a blanket, a picnic, and some wine
- Watch the sunset, then watch the stars come out
- Bring binoculars to look for whales and dolphins
- Bring a flashlight to walk back to your car
Go camping or hiking at McGrath State Beach
The beach is a great place to camp and hike, as well as go swimming. The water is warm enough to swim year-round and the area has some great surfing spots if you want to put your skills on display. If you prefer land sports over water, there are plenty of opportunities for running or playing soccer on this expansive beach.
You can also fish off of the pier at McGrath State Beach—this is a good option for those who don’t have boats of their own or have time restrictions that prohibit them from going out in the early mornings or late afternoons when fishing tends to be best.
There are also many places nearby where you can eat: Café Olé serves Mexican food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients; The Cottage Oxnard serves American classics like burgers and fries; Cafe Mosaic has healthy options like salads and smoothies; The Coby’s restaurant offers barbecue dishes in a fun atmosphere with live music!
See a play at Rubicon Theatre Company
The Rubicon Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company that produces new plays and musicals. They have been nominated for numerous awards, including an Ovation Award for Outstanding Musical, and their production of the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” was named Best Production in Ventura County by The Arts Council Of Ventura County. Their location on Main Street in Ventura has been home to the Rubicon since 1983; they moved there after outgrowing their previous space at The Little Theater in Los Angeles.
Their mission is to provide high-quality theatre with a creative voice—to entertain and enlighten audiences of all ages by producing excellent plays that deal honestly with relevant issues confronting our society today.
Conclusion
Oxnard is a great place to visit. You can chill at the beach, go whale watching, or even camp out on the beach. And if you love art and theater, there’s plenty of that too!
