Part of our California guide.
Oxnard sits about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles—a drive that typically takes longer than an hour—and offers coastal scenery, historic sites, and local flavors. Below are the highlights from our coverage, organized by theme.
Related travel guides: Carlsbad Travel Guide, Breathtaking Places To Witness The Green Flash At Sunset, How To Get In Yosemite Without A Reservation, Curious Adaptations Of California's Joshua Tree, and Secrets Of California's Towering Coastal Redwoods.
9 Iconic Landmarks To See In Oxnard, California
Oxnard’s landmarks range from the Heritage Square Victorian Village to the Channel Islands Harbor, where boat tours depart for the national park. The city’s agricultural roots show at the California Strawberry Festival grounds, while the Mullin Automotive Museum (when open) displayed classic French cars. The Carnegie Art Museum—originally a library—anchors Plaza Park. Don’t miss the Oxnard Lighthouse at the harbor’s south jetty, a short walk from seafood shacks. Each site ties to the area’s maritime, farming, or architectural past, and most are within a 15-minute drive of downtown.
31 Must Visit Places In Oxnard
This list spans beaches, parks, and eateries. Start at Mandalay State Beach for tide pools, then head to the Channel Islands Harbor for kayak rentals and the Ventura County Maritime Museum. The Oxnard State Beach and Park offers picnic tables and a fishing pier. Downtown’s Plaza Park hosts a farmers market on Saturdays, and the Heritage Square complex includes a working blacksmith shop. Food-wise, the list includes the historic Larsen’s Grill (closed since 2020, but the building remains) and several taquerias along Saviers Road. Many of these places are walkable or connected by the city’s free trolley in summer.
8 Romantic Getaways In Oxnard, California
Oxnard offers a serene escape for couples. The Harbor Beach area has a string of inns with bay views, and sunset cruises depart from the Channel Islands Harbor nightly. Book a couples’ massage at a spa near the beach or pack a picnic from a local deli and walk to the dunes at Mandalay. The Oxnard Performing Arts Center hosts evening concerts, and downtown galleries stay open late on First Fridays. Twenty minutes away, the Rincon Parkway offers beachfront camping with fire rings, though spots fill fast on weekends.
6 Cozy Coffee Shops To Discover In Oxnard, California
The local roasters are the draw. Café Ficre on A Street serves single-origin pour-overs and homemade pastries in a converted bungalow. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Channel Islands Boulevard has a patio overlooking the harbor, while Ventura Coffee Roasters (a short drive north) roasts beans on-site. Near downtown, the Oxnard Coffee Company offers a quiet back room with board games. Most shops open by 7 a.m. and close by 3 p.m. For a hidden gem, ask a local about the counter inside the historic Tower Cleaners—a working laundromat with a tiny espresso bar, a favorite among surfers heading to Silver Strand.
