Must Visit Oxnard: “Not Just a Pretty Name”

(Gerry Furth-Sides) We used to drive up to Oxnard on lazy summer evenings in the late ‘70s. The sleepy “main drag”  was a scene straight out of American Graffiti.  About the only thing missing was a Dairy Queen.  

Fast forward to the present and a revamped Oxnard. It still retains the best of the old and the new. And now there are two busy Dairy Queens within the city limits.  

 And “Friendly” and “old-fashioned” are still key.  These days, Oxnard is as famous for its annual summer Strawberry Festival and its Salsa Festival as its crops.   And “Friendly” and “old-fashioned” are still key.  

Oxnard is still home to miles of exceptional public coastline and beaches piled high with pristine, soft sand (free and ample parking) and hilly dunes.  The town also happens to be the gateway to the magnificent Channel Islands, truly described as “like nowhere else on earth.”  

Added to this is a startling slew of friendly eateries to replace the that range from old-fashioned diners (Uncle Herbs) to the best Italian (Capriccio) owned by a Frenchman). The 27 or so Taco stands, stores and trailers alone are worth the trip!

Tacos La Bonita – Taqueria across from Carnegie Art Museum on C Street in Downtown Oxnard; well known for their vampire tacos, barbacoa and birria

Yesteryear and this year show how much Oxnard is keeping up with the times. This Carnegie library, part of the Andrew Carnegie endowment to encourage literary at the beginning of the 20th century, was the first to be built on the west coast.

Century old restaurants, still operated by the same family are another attraction. The hospitality of casual Otani’s, for example, explains why they remain so popular. Owner Karen greeted us at the door. The lines never stopped at the order counter for customers to be seated in the pleasant, high-ceiling cafe or do take out. Otani’s did everything humanly possible during the pandemic to accommodate customers.

Even when the weather is sweltering in Los Angeles – or only a few miles away in normally cool Camarillo – and Camarillo is known for having the best year-round, 75 degree average, weather in the country – Oxnard is gentle sea breezes keep it cool and collected as only a century old town can be.  It wasn’t labeled “the Hollywood Riviera” by the likes of Valentino, more recently, Cher, for nothing.   

It’s no joke that air conditioning even in summer means “turning on the heat at night,” according to town preservationist, Gary Blum.  Any of the determined reservationists who are only too happy to show you around the rich Americana architecture in their quaint little agricultural town.  

True, the two French Oxnard brothers came cross country from the deep south to put the community on the agricultural map with sugar beets. But ironically, they never lived in the town or tried to give it a more alluring name.  

Once a few Hollywood stars and producers came to visit, they built vacation homes and inspired the architecture and names, such as “ Hollywood Beach and the Silver Strand.   The name mattered no more.

These days with limited land space, it takes no small amount of money for this pretty little agricultural area to retain its charming small town feel and picture-perfect seaside village.

History helps explain.  The high quality soil, coupled with a favorable climate, makes Oxnard “one of the most fertile areas in the world.”  Even so, the self-proclaimed “Bean and Strawberry Capital of the World,” started to became plowed over in the 70’s and 80’s for development.  Why? Land goes for $2 million an acre.  Then in 1995, a grassroots effort known as SOAR (Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources) was initiated by farmers, ranchers and citizens of Ventura County in an effort to save the vast agricultural Oxnard Plain assets. 

The renovated historic (1949) Woolworth building downtown holds new, appealing restaurants and dessert spots.  

Some of my favorite “no frills” restaurants in town are the following:

• Xielo Artisan Desserts – family recipes from Mexico, including crepes, pastries, and specialty coffees (inside the Woolworth Building, Downtown Oxnard)
• Sushiway – Japanese/Mexican fusion by social media sensation “Mr. Tacosway” who has restaurants from LA to Tokyo
• Sea Fresh – Local spot for seafood at Marine Emporium Landing with beautiful harbor views; try the steamed clams, they’re delicious!
• Dominick’s – Family-owned Italian restaurant with recipes handed down through generations
• Tacos La Bonita – Taqueria across from Carnegie Art Museum on C Street in Downtown Oxnard; well known for their vampire tacos, barbacoa and birria
• The Raven Tavern – Pub fare on the water in Seabridge Marina; they have delicious dinner pies topped with whipped mashed potatoes.
• Vineyard Café – Great brunch spot w/ bottomless mimosas served every day of the week; I really like the cinnamon pancakes!

A little more upscale:

• The Haven at Whitesails is a brand new Caribbean restaurant in Westport Marina.
• The Waterside Restaurant offers rich hearty entrees and a waterside view
• Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars and tasting room with kosher food.