Oxnard, California

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.

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

Recommended Activities for Families

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 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 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.

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

Attractions for Couples

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

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