Overview
Oxnard is a major transportation hub in Ventura County. With a population of over 200,000 in 2020, Oxnard is Ventura's largest city.
5 sights · 8 things to do · 5 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Oxnard
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.
Plaza Park
Various events are hosted during the year, and there are retail shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and a museum in the vicinity.
Heritage Square
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,…
Murphy Auto Museum
Channel Islands Maritime Museum
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 th…
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 77°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Ventura)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBA Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara — 41 mi away. Directions
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 47 mi away (major hub). Directions
The main freeway in 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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Plaza Park, Murphy Auto Museum, California Strawberry Festival
- Lunch Jesse's El Taco de Mexico
- Afternoon Channel Islands Harbor's Annual Fine Arts Festival, Celebration of the Whales
- Dinner Topper's Pizza Place
Day 2
- Morning Carnegie Art Museum, Channel Islands Maritime Museum
- Lunch Taqueria El Tapatio
- Afternoon Oxnard Salsa Festival, Oxnard Independent Film Festival
- Dinner Suvarnaphumi Thai Cuisine
Day 3
- Morning Heritage Square, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
- Lunch Hollywood Beach Cafe
- Afternoon Heritage Square Summer Concerts, Multicultural Festival
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Get in
By car
The main freeway in 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
- Train operators:
- Routes stopping in Oxnard:
- Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank.
- Pacific Surfliner operates daily between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles.
- Metrolink provides commuter rail from Los Angeles via the San Fernando Valley.
By bus
By plane
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
See Plaza Park
Various events are hosted during the year, and there are retail shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and a museum in the vicinity.
See 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.
See Heritage Square
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.
See Channel Islands Maritime Museum
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.
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.
Do 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.
Do California Strawberry Festival
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.
Do Oxnard Salsa Festival
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.
Do Channel Islands Harbor's Annual Fine Arts Festival
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.
Do 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.
Do 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
Eat Jesse's El Taco de Mexico
This hole-in-the-wall has the best burritos anywhere. Try their steak (asada) burritos.
Eat 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.
Eat Taqueria El Tapatio
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.
Eat Suvarnaphumi Thai Cuisine
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.
Eat Hollywood Beach Cafe
Park your bike by the berms of sand blown from Hollywood Beach down the street and try a sizable breakfast burrito or brunch option.
Sleep
Camping
Stay McGrath State Beach Campground
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.
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 another gateway to the Channel Islands National Park.
Nearby
Port Hueneme
City / town · 1 listings · 3 mi away
Ventura
City / town · 26 listings · 6 mi away
Camarillo
City / town · 9 listings · 8 mi away
Santa Paula
City / town · 4 listings · 13 mi away
Thousand Oaks
City / town · 17 listings · 18 mi away
Ojai
City / town · 11 listings · 18 mi away
Fillmore
City / town · 1 listings · 21 mi away
Carpinteria
City / town · 10 listings · 24 mi away
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