Every year, millions of visitors and residents experience the joy of outstanding recreational opportunities in Oxnard. There are a multitude of diverse recreational activities within a small geographical area.
Due in large part to Oxnard’s temperate and sunny climate, a wide variety of outdoor recreation and attraction venues are available to residents and visitors year round. More than seven miles of white sandy beaches, 58 parks and a state beach campground are found within the city.
Residents and visitors enjoy a diverse offering of activities. Sailing, kayaking, surfing, tennis, golf, bicycling and city programs are just some of the examples of recreational opportunities available in Oxnard. For hikers and bicyclists, there are dozens of nearby trails and more than 35 miles of bike paths and lanes. The paths are available in several parks, along the beach and throughout Channel Islands Harbor. If water is more your venue, consider renting a kayak or electric boat to tour the Harbor. Breathtaking sunsets and the sights on the Pacific Ocean provide a local paradise.
Oxnard offers a golfer’s paradise. In addition to River Ridge Golf Club, there are eight public and three private golf courses in the area to offer a variety of challenges and scenery.
The Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau provides information on agricultural tours, sport fishing trips, citrus packing facility tours, home tours, historical points of interest, ecological tours of wetlands and sand dunes, military installations, wine tours and technical facilities tours. For information, call 805-385-7545 or visit their website at www.visitoxnard.com.
Things to Do in Oxnard
Cultural, civic and social activities are discovered abundantly in Oxnard. If you have an interest in fine art, there’s the Carnegie Art Museum located in Downtown Oxnard. For live theatre, consider the Elite Theatre Company. If adventure is what you’re seeking, Jim Hart Kart Racing School will get your adrenaline pumping. For the wine enthusiast, Oxnard is the home to three wineries and tasting rooms—Herzog Wine Cellars, Rancho Ventavo Cellars and Magnavino Cellars.
For a simple night on the town, head to Downtown Oxnard for a movie and great food at any of the delicious restaurants. Restaurants abound to meet every culinary taste. Various regional chains, such as BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery and Red Lobster, have found a home in Oxnard, in addition to the various family-owned restaurants found throughout the city.
Carnegie Art Museum
424 S. C St.
805-385-8179
www.carnegieam.org
The Carnegie Art Museum presents temporary exhibitions changing quarterly, a permanent collection and educational programs.
Gull Wings Children’s Museum
418 W. 4th St.
805-483-3005
www.gullwings.org
Dedicated to providing a place for children and their families to explore and discover together the wonders of the world around us, Gull Wings features more than 15 hands-on exhibits or, as they call them, “Imagination Stations.” Gull Wings is Ventura County’s only hands-on children’s museum.
Jim Hall Kart Racing School
2600 Challenger Pl.
805-654-1329
www.jimhallkartracingschool.com
A serpentine series of hairpins, s-curves, European double 180s and high-speed straights, the Jim Hall track is the only coastal road course in North America. There are six challenging configurations to test the kart driver to their limits, and a uniquely privileged location in Southern California for ideal racing weather year round.
Mullin Automotive Museum
1421 Emerson Ave.
805-385-5400
www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com
The Mullin Automotive Museum pays homage to the art deco and the machine age—eras that produced exquisite art and magnificent automobiles. The museum is home to examples of the finest historic French automobiles from the Bugatti to the Voisin, as well as significant and representative decorative art from this same period.
Murphy Auto Museum
2230 Statham Blvd.
805-487-4333
www.murphyautomuseum.com
The Murphy Auto Museum has more than 40 autos displayed by collectors from the tri-county area. The museum houses a wide variety of classic, milestone and special interest vehicles, including a large collection of Packards.
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura
805-653-0323
www.venturamuseum.org
The Museum of Ventura County’s collections of art, artifacts, documents and photographs represent a comprehensive record of life in the region from prehistory to the present.
Ventura County Maritime Museum
2731 S. Victoria Ave.
805-984-6260
Ventura County Maritime Museum houses nautical collections of ship models, fine art and changing maritime exhibits. Tours are offered, and there is a gift shop.