Oxnard usually gets a bad rap. If you’re driving up the 101 from LA to Santa Barbara, you probably see the strawberry fields, the industrial strips, and the sprawling suburban blocks and think, "Cool, I’ll just keep driving."
Honestly? That is a massive mistake.
While the "fancy" neighbors like Malibu or Montecito get all the Instagram glory, Oxnard is basically the last place on the California coast where you can find a beach to yourself without paying $40 for parking. It is gritty, authentic, and weirdly beautiful. From the "Galapagos of North America" sitting right offshore to a taco scene that rivals East LA, there’s a lot going on here. If you’re looking for things to do Oxnard CA, you have to look past the strip malls.
The Islands You’re Probably Ignoring
Most people stand on the shore, look at the silhouettes of the Channel Islands, and say, "Oh, neat."
They don't actually go.
If you want the real Oxnard experience, you have to get on a boat. Island Packers runs the main ferry service out of the Channel Islands Harbor. It's about an hour-long ride to Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island. This isn't a "sip a cocktail on a cruise" vibe—it’s rugged.
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There are no stores. No hotels. No Uber.
You’re going there to see the Island Scrub-Jay (found nowhere else on Earth) or to kayak through sea caves that look like something out of a Ridley Scott movie. If you go between late December and April—which is right now, since it’s January 2026—you’re basically guaranteed to see gray whales. The Santa Barbara Channel is a designated Whale Heritage Area, and the migration path is literally a few miles off the Oxnard coast.
Why the Harbor is Actually Cool
The Channel Islands Harbor isn't just a parking lot for boats. It’s where the locals hang.
- Hopper Boat Rentals: You can rent these little electric Duffy boats. They’re basically golf carts for the water. You bring a cooler of beer, some snacks, and just putter around looking at the multi-million dollar houses you’ll never own.
- The Maritime Museum: It sounds boring, I know. But the Channel Islands Maritime Museum has these insanely intricate ship models and Dutch master paintings that are actually worth the $10 entry.
- Sunday Farmers Market: This is the best one in the county. Period. You get fresh strawberries (obviously), but also tamales and live music right on the water.
The "Hollywood" Beaches (Without the Paparazzi)
Oxnard’s coastline is divided into three main spots: Silver Strand, Hollywood Beach, and Oxnard Beach Park.
Silver Strand is the local stronghold. It’s got a bit of a "locals only" reputation, but as long as you aren’t a jerk in the lineup, you’re fine. At the south end, you’ll see a heap of rusted metal sticking out of the water. That’s the La Jennelle shipwreck. A luxury liner ran aground there in 1970, and they just left parts of it to become part of the jetty.
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Then there’s Hollywood Beach. It’s named that because back in the day, Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin had houses here. The sand is incredibly wide. You could fit three football fields between the houses and the water. It’s never crowded. Even on July 4th, you can find a spot to breathe.
What Happened to the Mullin?
If you’re a car person, you might have heard of the Mullin Automotive Museum. It was legendary—home to the world’s best collection of French Art Deco cars (think $40 million Bugattis).
Heads up: It’s gone. Since Peter Mullin passed away, the museum officially closed its doors in early 2024. People still show up at the industrial park looking for it. Don’t be that person. Instead, if you’re into "rolling sculpture," keep an eye on Heritage Square. They often host classic car shows in the summer, and the backdrop of Victorian mansions makes for a better photo anyway.
The Taco Trail is Better Than the Fine Dining
Look, Oxnard has some "nice" restaurants. Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars is high-end, kosher, and genuinely fantastic. The Waterside has great views of the marina.
But you’re in Oxnard. You need to eat a taco.
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The city literally has an official Taco Trail. You can find everything from birria pizzadillas at Birria Mi Rancho to the legendary fish tacos at Otani’s Fish Market. Otani’s has been around since 1908. Think about that. They’ve been serving fish in Oxnard since before the Titanic sank.
Pro Tip: If you want something unique, look for Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine in the harbor. They serve these clay-pot stews that stay bubbling for like twenty minutes after they hit the table. It’s the kind of food that makes you want to take a three-hour nap.
Nightlife and The Collection
If you want the "modern" California experience, you go to The Collection at RiverPark. It’s an outdoor mall, yeah, but it’s where the energy is.
- Levity Live: This is a legit comedy club. They get A-list names—guys like David Spade or Jo Koy—who want to test out material before heading into LA.
- Copper Blues: Good for live music and a massive beer list.
- The Annex: A food hall inside the mall with local coffee and craft beer.
Staying in a Victorian Time Capsule
Downtown Oxnard isn't exactly a tourist mecca, but Heritage Square is the exception. It’s a block of historic homes that were saved from the wrecking ball and moved to a single plaza. It looks like a movie set.
In the winter (now), they do guided tours on Saturdays where docents tell you about the families that built the town. In the summer, they have a concert series on the plaza. It’s one of the few places in Ventura County where you can see 19th-century architecture that isn't a church.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Book the Boat Early: Island Packers ferries to Anacapa or Santa Cruz fill up weeks in advance for weekends. If you’re going for whale watching, the morning trips (around 9:30 AM) usually have calmer seas.
- Check the Surf Report: If you're heading to Silver Strand, know that the "Small Boat Harbor" break is world-class but heavy. If you're a beginner, stick to the south side of the Port Hueneme pier just down the road.
- Download the Taco Map: The Visit Oxnard website has a literal map for the Taco Trail. Use it. Start at Cabo Seafood Grill for the vampiros and work your way north.
- Park at Hollywood Beach: There is a free public lot at the end of Harbor Blvd. It’s way easier than fighting for street parking at the Strand.
- Dress in Layers: This is the biggest rookie mistake. Oxnard can be 80 degrees in the sun and 55 degrees the second the marine layer (the "May Gray" or "June Gloom") rolls in. Even in January, the wind off the water is biting.
Oxnard isn't trying to be Santa Barbara. It’s not trying to be LA. It’s a working-class port town with incredible food and a backyard that happens to be a National Park. Go for the tacos, stay for the solitude on the dunes.