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Photos © Debbie Stock . |
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Oxnard Population: 160,035
Information: 800-2-OXNARD |
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| When passing by Oxnard on Highway 101, you likely
will notice the tower structure announcing Oxnard Outlet pictured
below. We didn't want to position that photo on top as Oxnard's
cover shot because it doesn't compare to a beautiful ocean scene.
It's sad that freeways and shopping malls are all you might ever
know if you don't wander off the beaten path. For north and
southbound travelers, it is a natural choice to stop and eat on your
long distance trek. Chain restaurants from Burger King to Red
Lobster, Olive Garden to Fresh Choice offer a variety of foods
within view of Highway 101. That equates to a quick exit off and
back onto the freeway without getting lost or wasting time.
You are missing out on something special, however, if you don't see
the coastline.
Oxnard was named for a family that developed one of
the first industries when they built a sugar beet factory. Their
name stuck with local residents over other choices such as
Sugartown, and it's a good thing. Surrounded by some of the
richest agricultural land in the world, strawberries are now the
celebrated crop with a Strawberry Festival usually held in May.
Strawberries and sugar go well together, but it might have left a
bad taste to promote the biggest and best strawberry fest in
California in a town named after sugar. The festival features
bands, games and lots of dining opportunities and attracts about
100,000 people during the annual weekend
event. | |
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| There is much to see in Oxnard and you can spend a
week doing it when you book one of the beach houses which are
available for weekly rental. Prices range around $1000 to
$2000/week. Relax on the sand, take a boat trip to the Channel
Islands, rent a bike or inline skates, swim, surf, shop at the
outlets and malls, tour several museums and Heritage Square, go
golfing or fishing or just do nothing at all. Several local Realtors
offer lists of beach cottages for rent or you can book rooms nightly
(below). |
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Oxnard aerial
view |
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 Channel
Islands off the coast |
| Water Taxi. is an expanded water taxi service whcih has
been approved for Channel Islands Harbor. Public contact: Oxnard
Convention & Visitors Bureau, Heritage Square, 711 South A
Street, Oxnard, CA 93030; telephone (805)
385-7545 |
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