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Oxnard
Move to the Beat of Your Own Drum in Oxnard
by lisa kadane
With a sunny climate, stunning beaches and natural wonders just offshore, Oxnard—located 60 miles north of Los Angeles—draws travellers year-round. What sets this small city “a beat apart” from its coastal neighbors, though, is the music scene, which traces its roots back to the 60s, when Sonny and Cher bought property on Mandalay Beach.
This musical legacy—combined with rich Mexican heritage, beach culture and scenic beauty—makes Oxnard a dream destination for audiophiles, taco lovers, water babies and nature lovers. Here are some ways to explore this city with soul.
Rock Out at Festivals or Experience a Vinyl Revival
The city’s love affair with music spans genres. Feel the beat at festivals or dive into vinyl. Oxnard’s music scene spans genres, from the raw energy of “Nardcore” punk to the Grammy-winning hip-hop beats of hometown hero Anderson. Paak. Catch live music at events like the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series, where Latin jazz, classic rock, and R&B fill the air on Friday nights.
For a deeper spin into the industry, Fidelity Record Pressing offers behind the scenes tours (by request) where record aficionados can watch plastic get pressed into albums, and learn about the vinyl revival. Over at Drum Workshop, the HQ for the famed DW Drums (Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley, Glen Sobel and Dave Grohl are fans), you can salivate over drum sets in the showroom or join a factory tour by appointment. visitoxnard.com/things-to-do/culture/music
Try Hip Hops, or Handmade Tortillas on The Taco Trail
Margaritas pair with Mexican food on the Taco Trail. Find dozens of restaurants, taquerias and food trucks serving everything within the city limits from trendy birria tacos at Birria Mi Rancho to spicy shrimp tacos at El Dorado and barbacoa tacos at Tacos La Bonita.
Prefer hops over tequila? Oxnard’s craft breweries elevate brewing into an art form. Experience the new tasting room at Wagon Wheel Brewing Co., sample a West Coast IPA at Casa Agria Specialty Ales or sip a malty Belgian dubbel at Red Tandem Brewery—three local hangouts for hop- and yeast-driven brews. visitoxnard.com/food-drinks/tacotrail/
Get Carried Away by The Rhythm of The Waves
Since music and food combine to get you moving, dive into Oxnard’s beach culture on the city’s coast or just offshore. Take a surf lesson at beginner-friendly Silver Strand Beach, or rent a Surrey bike from Wheel Fun Rentals and pedal along Mandalay Beach’s scenic paths.
For a wilder outing, book the Epic Sea Cave Combo trip with Channel Island Expeditions to explore Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park. Spot whales and dolphins during the boat ride, paddle a sea kayak along the island’s rocky shoreline to see an astonishing variety of seabirds, and have the opportunity to snorkel in a kelp forest teeming with marine life. visitoxnard.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/channel-islands-national-park/
Whether you come for the beats, the eats or the waves, you’ll find your rhythm in Oxnard.
Scenic, Surprising, Cool, Cultural
Visit Oxnard VisitOxnard.com
