TOP 10 REASONS TO EXPLORE OXNARD Come for the beaches

TOP 10 REASONS

to Explore Oxnard

Oxnard is a lot more than just a beach town. With our convenient location, amazing culture and hidden gems, there’s plenty to see, do and discover in Oxnard. Here are the top 10 reasons to visit Oxnard (besides the beaches).

by Elizabeth Maxim

1| Chow Down in Tacs’nard Oxnard has some of the best taquerias, taco trucks and Mexican restaurants in Southern California. Hit the Oxnard Taco Trail to discover some of the best that the city has to offer. From harborside restaurants to tucked-away hidden gems, savory seafood to smoky birria, the options are endless. And beyond the official taco trail, there are numerous locally owned Mexican restaurants and eateries with plenty of options for everyone to enjoy. Check out page 57 to find out more about Oxnard’s incredible Mexican cuisine!

2| Visit the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Dallas Cowboys fans can get up close and personal to their favorite players each summer as America’s Team prepare for the upcoming NFL season. Oxnard is the current home to the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, giving fans the chance to watch the team’s current and future stars in action while enjoying family-friendly activities and entertainment. Check out exclusive Dallas Cowboys merchandise, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ performances, food and drink vendors, live entertainment, fan activations on the midway, and more!

3| Take a Trip to the Channel Islands Boat over to the Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (considered the “Galapagos of North America”) with local outfitter Island Packers. Oxnard is the nearest launch point to the islands, with Anacapa Island just an hour off the coast. Take a day trip to Anacapa, enjoy incredible views and visit the historic lighthouse — the last West Coast lighthouse to be constructed. 4| Take In a Unique Museum Car lovers, rev your engines, because Oxnard has not one but two incredible car museums. The Murphy Auto Museum showcases over 50 antique cars, vintage trailers and Americana spanning over a century, sure to take you on a trip down memory lane. And the Mullin Automotive Museum offers one of the finest collections of historic French autos in the world, from authentic carriages dating back to the 1800s to sleek Bugattis. For those more interested in travel by sea, the waterfront Channel Islands Maritime Museum at the Channel Islands Harbor has a wealth of fascinating maritime art, ship models and artifacts.

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Visit the World-Famous Drum Workshop Factory

Tour the world headquarters of the famed Drum Workshop, which makes the drums used by some of world’s top artists, including Mick Fleetwood, Dave Grohl, Travis Barker, Bruno Mars, Don Henley and Sheila E. Watch the full drum-making process, from raw wood veneer to the finished instrument, and check out some of the drums previously owned by notable musicians in the showroom. Contact Drum Workshop at dwdrums.com for updated information on tour schedules.

Get to Know Box’nard

Oxnard (also known as “Box’nard”) is considered a national hub for boxing. Step into the ring at one of the city’s champion-producing boxing gyms, where boxers including Fernando Vargas, Hugo Centeno Jr., Victor Ortiz and more have trained, or cheer on the sport’s biggest names as well as up-and-coming stalwarts at the Olympic qualifiers held at Oxnard PAL Boxing. And for a bonus round, keep an eye out for some of the Box’nard-themed art and murals around the city.

1: Hollywood Beach; 2: Jet ski in the Santa Barbara Channel; 3: Channel Islands Maritime Museum; 4: Oxnard PAL Boxing

Bond With Your Four-Legged Friend

Don’t forget to bring the pup! Get some fresh air with your pooch at one of the great off-leash dog parks in Oxnard, including College Park Dog Park, Campus Park and Jax’s Windrow Dog Park, or let your furry friend sprint down the sand at Hollywood Beach, where dogs can run free before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Oxnard also has multiple pet-friendly hotels and restaurants with outdoor seating where your furry friend is welcome to join — including the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar at The Collection, Sea Fresh at the Channel Islands Harbor and famed local pizza chain Toppers Pizza.

Mountain Adventures

Whether you’re an expert or beginner hiker, Oxnard has a multitude of trails. Enjoy the ocean views from the Chumash Trailhead at the majestic Santa Monica Mountains, gaze over Ventura County from the top of Rocky Peak at the Santa Susana Mountains or travel from the ocean to snow on a magical wintertime daytrip to Hines Peak at the stunning Topatopa Mountains.

9| Go to a Live Show With the return of live shows comes plenty of opportunities to once again enjoy unforgettable entertainment. Laugh it up at Levity Live, Oxnard’s premier comedy club at The Collection; watch a music, dance or drama performance at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center; or catch a play at The Elite Theater Company, a community playhouse at Fisherman’s Wharf. JILL ALMONIA

HEAD OF MARKETING AT THE COLLECTION

There’s something for everyone here at The

Collection at River-

Park, with a carefully crafted assortment of established as well as contemporary designer shops, distinctive dining and signature entertainment venues. Explore the unique flavors of diverse local restaurants at The Annex Food Hall, Ventura County’s first food hall, or make a day of it and try one of the numerous events The Collection hosts, like kids clubs, outdoor concerts, seasonal festivities and much more.

10| Discover Oxnard’s History Explore a slice of history at Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard, where you’ll find historic Victorian-era homes, wine tasting rooms, fine dining and an underground speakeasy serving Prohibition-style craft cocktails. Book a tour to learn more about the history of the homes and the families who lived there and helped shape Oxnard into the place it is today. O