FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD VACATION IN OXNARD

We just came back from a four-day staycation in Oxnard, CA that absolutely blew us away. “Oxnard, really? Why Oxnard? What’s there?” 

We’re so glad you asked.

Conveniently located just five minutes South of Ventura, Oxnard is a hidden gem of a beach town. It has it all—beautiful weather, a pristine coastline, award-winning restaurants, luxurious accommodations, and even a taco trail! And the best part is, it feels under the radar. But I digress, just read on…

One of our first stops was this colorful mural!

1. The Zachari Dunes Resort

Zachari Dunes is a brand-new (it just opened in October of 2022!) and absolutely stunning beachfront resort, right in the heart of Oxnard. Not only is the property massive, the rooms are too! All of the rooms are suites (families, can we get an amen?), so even if you’re in the smallest room—you still have a living area and two bathrooms! There’s a beautiful pool and spa, multiple dining options, Watersport rentals, game room, daily activities, and SO MUCH MORE. It’s a destination in and of itself. We would have been more than happy never leaving the property, but alas, there’s so much to do in the town as well. Which leads us to our next reason….

Sally and Reese love a good hotel bed.

What a spot! Zachari Dunes is stunning!

Sunset with the boys.

The beach is Sally approved.

2. There’s a Taco Trail

Dozens and dozens of delicious and authentic taco spots… need we say more? We only had time to hit up a few, but they were LEGIT. If nothing else, we’ll be back to Oxnard just for the tacos. Two must-visit local faves: 

• Carnitas El Rey: Not many people know that Bobby always goes straight for the carnitas at an authentic Mexican restaurant. Who knew that our first stop in Oxnard would be the taco restaurant that specializes in carnitas. WHAT?!? They offer different cuts of carnitas and you should try a variety. Quite possibly the best carnitas we’ve ever had. Be forewarned—the tacos are BIG. They load them up, so come hungry.

• Yolanda's Mexican Cafe: We came for the marina views, but the tacos were the real star here. We tried the steak, chicken, and carnitas tacos and they were all really good. Especially when paired with a couple Cadillac margaritas. ;) For a full list of taco trail spots, click here!

First stop at Carnitas and it was the BEST!

Yolanda’s is delish!

3. There are Endless Activities

Whether you’re the kind of vacationer that just wants to beach, pool, repeat, or the kind that gets antsy after 10 minutes of “relaxing”—you’ll thrive in Oxnard. It has it all. Adventure seekers can choose between day tripping to the Channel Islands or a variety of ocean sports. Shoppers can indulge in picture-perfect outdoor shopping spots. Sightseers can stroll the harbor or ride bikes on the beach path. Your vacation can be as jam-packed or chill as you want it to be. 

Anacapa Island is stunning! Go!

4. It’s Perfect for Families

It’s wild how your priorities change once you’ve had kids. Pre-kids we’d spend hours researching the cocktail bars and nightlife of a destination—now we google “playgrounds with a view”, “kid friendly restaurants with happy hours”, and “outdoor activities for toddlers”. Oxnard REALLY delivered in this department. From the Pirate Playground next door to our hotel, to the Gondola Paradiso gondola ride that our whole family enjoyed, to the scenic Wheel Fun Rentals Surrey ride, to the waterfront restaurants that had icy cold cocktails for us and coloring books for the kiddos—we were ALL living our best lives. 

The Mullin Automotive Museum is a hit for all ages.

Pool time at Zachari Dunes!

Sunset Gondola ride with Gondola Paradiso!

5. The FOOD!

It’s safe to say we ate our way through Oxnard. Beyond the insane taco scene, the fresh seafood here is on another level. Just a few of our favorites:

Ox & Ocean (located at the Zachari Dunes) was so good, we ate there numerous times. Order the O & O Burger And the Oxtail Bao Buns. And don’t forget their signature Magic Sunset cocktail!

Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar is another spot we frequented more than once. As the name implies, it’s right on the water and has an extensive menu with fresh seafood and local favorites. They also have a really great happy hour (get the Strawberry Mule!), and live music. We’d be there every weekend if we were locals!

Other standouts: Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters makes a mean iced oat vanilla latte, The Blend Superfood Bar has a Peanut Butter Berry Acai Bowl that I will never forget, and La Dolce Vita serves the most mouthwatering homemade Italian pastas in the most charming setting. 

Be sure to visit Ox & Ocean!

Moral of the story: Go to Oxnard. Bring your family. Heck, bring us! We’re ready to go back!

ANACAPA ISLAND - ONE OF CALIFORNIA’S BEST KEPT SECRETS

As born-and-raised So-Cal natives, we’re embarrassed to admit that we’d never heard of Anacapa Island until this trip. Yep - hadn’t even heard of it. We’ve grown up going to Catalina Island, but we had no idea there were other Channel Islands that you could visit and explore. 

While we were in Oxnard we left the kids with their grandparents and took a day trip to Anacapa Island—and it was a day we’ll never, ever forget. The wildlife, the rugged coastline, the views… It was unreal. Here’s all the details of what we did so you can do it too.

First things first—pack food and water. There’s no services (besides basic restrooms) on the island! And don’t forget sunscreen, there’s very limited shade.

The Island Packers ferry leaves at 9am out of Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Get your tickets here in advance, and make sure you call ahead beforehand—if the water is too rough and choppy, the boat can’t leave. Thankfully we were there on a still, calm day, so we had no issues!

9 AM boarding in Channel Islands Harbor

It’s a little over an hour boat ride, complete with humpback whale spotting and fascinating narration about the wildlife in and around the island. (Don’t forget a jacket, it can be cold!) Pulling up to the island was like something out of a dream… The lighthouse peaking out from the fog, the water crashing against the rocks, the thousands of seagulls… it’s other-worldly.

The ferry will drop you off around 10:30-11ish and pick you up again around 3. Giving you plenty of time to hike and explore. 

We almost don’t want you to see these pictures because part of what made it so incredible was that we didn’t know what we were in for. It’s a small island, so if you’re up for it you can basically see it all in a few hours. Here are the sights:

• Cathedral Cove - A beautiful cove that we will kayak around on our next visit

• Lighthouse - Hike to the historic lighthouse that has been illuminating Anacapa since 1932

• Pinniped Point - a stunning spot on the bluffs where you can spot wildlfe

• Inspiration Point - Seeing it for the first time was jaw-dropping. We had no idea the views we were in for. It’s a 1.5 mile hike round trip and should probably be the highest priority on your visit. We set up a picnic there and took in the views for hours. 

Making friends with the seagulls.

Pinniped Point

Inspiration Point

Arch Rock and Bobby.

If you’re going to bring the kids, we’d say the minimum age is 5. Younger kids would be fine (especially if you wear them on a backpack), but use your best judgement. Our little Reese would probably have been fine being worn the whole time, but Jude would have been a challenge. Bobby would have ended up carrying him everywhere.

Overall, it was the most perfect day trip and getaway for us. Replacing Cocomelon songs and toddler tantrums with the soft melodies of Anacapa waves, wind, and wildlife was more life-giving than we could have imagined.

To summarize simply - Anacapa is a bucket-list worthy destination that is right here in Southern California. Go check it out! 

OXNARD - A BEACH TOWN FOR THE DOGS

Recently our life and our travels have revolved around our kids, but it’s time to give our “fur-st born” some love!!! We brought our Bernedoodle Sally with us on our family vacation in Oxnard, and it’s definitely a toss-up as to who enjoyed it more—us or Sally! It’s rare when a destination is a perfect trifecta: fun for adults, fun for kids, AND fun for pets. Oxnard FTW! 

Here’s our list of all things dog-friendly in Oxnard:

STAY

Zachari Dunes Resort: This picture-perfect beachfront resort is a dream for dogs. Sally was welcomed with open arms, and immediately made herself at home in our cozy room (and on the spacious patio). All of the rooms are suites, giving everyone in the family plenty of room to roam! 

The girls went straight for the bed at Zachari Dunes.

What a location!

DINE

Ox and Ocean: Located at the Zachari Dunes Resort, we loved how convenient and puppy-loving this restaurant was. Grab a table outside by the fire, some drinks and appetizers, and be prepared for your dog to get lots of pets from the resort guests and visitors. Sally made so many friends!

Waterside: We loved this spot so much, we went twice! Their spacious outdoor patio is not only doggy-approved, but it boasts amazing harbor views AND a killer happy hour. Get the fish and chips!

The Annex at The Collection: If you can’t decide what you’re in the mood for, head to the Annex at the Collection. The food hall has a tasty collection of options and also dog friendly patios. We went one morning for breakfast and enjoyed coffee from Ragamuffin Coffee and smoothies at The Blend Superfood Bar. Sally was upset we didn’t grab her a corndog from Two Hands Corn Dogs… next time! 

Honey Cup Coffeehouse & Creamery: Pop by here for a coffee or a sweet treat, and bring your furry friend along! Once again Sally made several friends while we were at Honey Cup, AND she was treated to her favorite “human” snack—a croissant. ;)

Coffee and a harbor walk is our favorite way to start the morning!

PLAY

Beach: We spent the majority of our time in Oxnard on the beach with Sally. (Dogs are allowed anytime as long as they're on a leash!) From the abundance of sticks to the cool, salty water and soft, warm sand... Sally was in puppy paradise. And honestly, we were too!

Harbor: Walking along the harbor, admiring the boats, and chit-chatting with Oxnard locals was one of our favorite family activities. Whether we were exploring the harbor first thing in the morning with our coffees in-hand, or taking an end-of-the-day stroll post-dinner, we met so many wonderful people on walks with their pups too. 10/10 recommend!

Parks: We didn’t venture too far from the beach, but had planned to let Sally roam free at one of the local dog parks. College Park dog park looks like it will be one of our first stops on our next visit, with plenty of room for Sally to run around off leash. 

Sally loved exploring Mandalay Beach

Our time in Oxnard wasn't long enough - there's still so much we've yet to explore, and so many more dog-friendly activities for us to take advantage of! We'll most definitely be back. (With Sally in tow, of course!)