A solid Day in Oxnard CA

A solid Day in Oxnard CA – what to do, eat, and where to stay if you have a day to spend in Oxnard California.

This post is sponsored by Visit California. All opinions are our own.

We love to partner with companies we know our readers will love as much as we do – and there is no place on earth like California for a vacation!

We took a four part road trip to taste our way from Santa Monica Californiathrough Oxnardand on to the Santa Ynez Valley and San Luis Obispo to check out California Restaurant Month, and all the good food throughout California's Central Coast.

To see our entire road trip plan, please start here.

To learn more about California Restaurant Month and get ideas for your own culinary trip through California, please head here.

There is never a better time than now to Visit California – heading in the off-season saves a ton of money, but is also ideal for less crowds, and good restaurant specials.

We can safely say we want to visit California every year for restaurant month in January!

A solid Day in Oxnard CA

We were recently invited to stay in Oxnard for a day of good food, gorgeous beach views, and to soak up some California sun in the small beach town.

We actually grew up up the road in Moorpark, and went to the beaches in Oxnard often as a kid – but we hadn't spent much time exploring Oxnard, and hadn't been back since we were a kid.

We had so much fun visiting – and can't wait to bring our family back soon!

Oxnard is around an hour from Los Angeles – but couldn't feel further away. It's much smaller and quieter, and much more affordable – making Oxnard a great pick for families or friends looking for a quieter vacation.

Where to Stay in Oxnard

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach

2101 Mandalay Beach Rd, Oxnard, CA 93035

$$ – Rates from $160; all rooms are two-room suites, some with ocean views.

The Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach is hands down one of the best beach hotels in California – because of it's pristine direct beach access, which is quite a rarity.

Most California beach hotels have to cross PCH to get to the sand – or don't have a huge, long stretch of solid soft sand in front of it. The Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach, however, does – and then some.

Since the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Beach is on a channel island, it is right on the crashing waves – no crossing a busy highway to get to the sea – it's right out your window!

It was so lovely to be able to walk right to the beach to take in the sunrise and the sunset – we even slept with our window cracked open so we could hear the waves crashing all night.

Since the Embassy Suites has suite-style rooms, it would be suited to a girls trip or family vacation as there is a king and a queen sofa bed, as well as two bathrooms, so nobody is on top of each other.

Where to Eat in Oxnard

Oxnard, like all of Ventura County, has a thriving agricultural industry – making it easy to get fresh, local California foods year-round.

Oxnard is about an hour from Los Angeles, but is much more affordable – making eating out in Oxnard a great reason to visit this charming beachside town!

Where to Eat Breakfast in Oxnard

Embassy Suites at Mandalay Beach

Breakfast is free with stay, as well as a complimentary cocktail hour.

If you're staying at the Embassy Suites, there is no reason to leave for breakfast – as they have a fresh, made-to-order breakfast right on site every morning.

Choose from fresh omelettes, eggs, meats, and sides; as well as fresh fruits and fresh baked pastries, and grab a spot with views on the pool or the ocean.

You could also make yourself a breakfast plate and eat it on the large balconies in-room, taking in the pool or the ocean view.

It doesn't get any better than that!

Where to Eat Lunch in Oxnard

Oxnard is bursting with options for lunch and dinner – but we think the best is to head to Herzog Wine Cellars for a wine tasting, and then move into the Tierra Sur Restaurant right inside Herzog for a good kosher lunch packed with fresh California food.

Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars

3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030

$$$, Kosher

Closed on Fridays and Saturdays

Tierra Sur definitely takes advantage of Oxnard's proximity to farms in Ventura County, serving up locally sourced food that is all kosher and impeccably presented.

Tierra Sur is upscale but welcoming – suited to a fancy dinner out, or a ladies lunch.

As the restaurant is fully kosher, plan on not having dairy or non-kosher foods, including milk in coffees after your meal.

Tierra Sur's fresh and playful menu was full of good choices – but we went for the marinated chicken ensalada de la casa and we can safely say it was one of the most memorable chicken salads we've had in a long time – full of flavor with chicken strips that were marinated perfectly – juicy and full of flavor.

We didn't try the Halibut Cigars (the sauce has mustard, which we're allergic to), but our friend said they were amazingly good and something she'd order again – plus they looked so stunning.

Avdaye Picks:

Spanish Halibut Cigars

Marinated Chicken Ensalada de la Casa

Where to Eat Dinner in Oxnard

Oxnard has lots of options for dinner and drinks – but our favorite is La Dolce Vita in Oxnard's historic Heritage Square (a charming square in town made from historic homes that were moved from all over Ventura County to make a charming vintage square where many weddings and formal events are held.)

La Dolce Vita

740 S B St, Oxnard, CA 93030

$$, Italian

Closed Most Sundays & Mondays

La Dolce Vita has been making comforting Italian food for years – and now has a 1901 themed speakeasy themed bar downstairs, too that was the solid cool and cozy place to grab drinks and spend an evening with friends after dinner at La Dolce Vita.

If you love comforting, good, and fresh Italian food classics – you will find yourself at home instantly at La Dolce Vita.

The surroundings in a gorgeous restored historic home (check out the tea spot and take a wander around the stately building) are the solid place to head for a nice dinner, event, or a cozy comforting meal.

Because the restaurant has a nice large space, you don't feel too cramped – and you can easily hear your other diners talk, which is important to us.

While everything we tried was good, the grilled onion chowder (which admittedly isn't the most photogenic) was a standout star – it is rich, salty, and hearty – we could have drank it through a straw! We also loved the shrimp scampi and insalata di casa (one of our favorite salads), and the arancini (cheese stuffed rice balls) were heavenly.

Avdaye Picks:

Insalata Di Casa

Grilled Onion Chowder

Arancini

Shrimp Scampi

Grilled Vegetable Ravioli

La Dolce Vita hosts monthly Italian Cooking classes, which is a standout option if you live in the Los Angeles or Santa Barbara area, or can plan your trip to Oxnard around the class.

Classes are themed around different dishes, and are well reviewed.

We want to head to one soon… they look like a total blast.

Where to Eat Dessert in Oxnard

Finding a good dessert in any beach town might make you think of ice cream – but in Oxnard, there is one sweet treat you can't miss…. Missy's Cupcakes!

Missy's Cupcake Creations
3900 W Channel Islands Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035

$, Dessert

Missy's Cupcake Creations serves tons of good, fun, and festive cupcakes that come in flavors you can only dream about – hits like Red Velvet, Pancakes 'n Bacon, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry, Cookies N Cream Dream, Chocolate Chocolate Thunder, and more.

Missy is so sweet and helpful – and takes a huge amount of pride in her cupcakes.

You can't help but feel like you're buying treats from an old friend when you stop in!

What to Do in Oxnard

Mandalay Beach

Mandalay Beach is technically on the channel island off Oxnard – and the beach is fabulous with a long stretch of soft sand that is suited to playing on!

If staying at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach, you don't need to do much to enjoy the sand and waves – walk out the gate to the property, and feel your toes in the sand!

The Embassy Suites does have some beach gear and has a bike rental program – they can help you have an easy and fun day at the beach!

Channel Islands Tour

One of the biggest draws to Oxnard is the ocean – and the pristine Ocean Refuges on the Channel Islands off Oxnard and Santa Barbara offer tons of exploring opportunities.

You can camp, hike, swim, or tour the channel islands – including kayaking tours – that can all easily be arranged from a stay in Oxnard.

There are also several whale and dolphin watching tours in Oxnard, as well as charter boats and yachts – so you're never far from fun!