Oxnard is a laid-back town fringed with white sandy beaches. Over the decades it's lured in famous faces like Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne. You can cool off in the Pacific Ocean, sign up for a whale-watching safari and reel in monster-sized fish.
Things to do in Oxnard
Oxnard is anchored by a characterful downtown district dotted with historic buildings. Today the old library houses the Carnegie Art Museum, which showcases contemporary works from across California. You can check out vintage cars at the Mullin Automotive Museum and explore California's seafaring past at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.
Southern California is famous for its annual whale migration. Every winter hundreds of whales cruise through Channel Islands National Park and the Santa Barbara Channel. Maximise your chances of spotting grey whales, humpbacks and orcas by visiting between December and April.
Backing onto the Pacific Coast, Oxnard Beach Park is fringed with golden sand and a grassy foreshore. It's a great place to swim, sunbathe or enjoy a picnic. You'll also enjoy sweeping views over Channel Islands National Park. Silver Strand Beach is eternally popular with surfers, while nearby Mandalay Beach boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets in Los Angeles.
The Channel Islands are famous for their world-class sport fishing. Sign up for a deep-sea fishing charter and you could reel in trophy-sized sea bass, halibut, yellowtail and barracuda. If you'd rather stay on dry land, cast a line off one of the local jetties.
Getting around Oxnard
The easiest way to explore Oxnard is with a rental car. You can drive to downtown Los Angeles in around 1.5 hours and Santa Barbara in around 45 minutes. Local trains also whisk passengers from Los Angeles to Oxnard in under two hours.