Oxnard Uncovered: Southern California’s Secret Beach Haven

There are so few beach cities in SoCal that are not overrun, over-parked or over-used. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a secret place where the beaches are beautiful and the people are few? Oh yeah and you can be there in a couple of hours. I just spent a relaxing weekend in a place just like that. Oxnard. You heard me right, that town along the 101 known for its strawberries and fresh produce also has some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches.

A wide expanse of golden sand dotted with palm trees and punctuated with rolling sand dunes make up Mandalay Beach. Long paths wind through the dunes and make the beach very walkable. It’s along Mandalay Beach that the all-suite Zachari Dunes is located, our port of call for a glorious weekend of sun, sand and relaxation.

Looking for a laid-back escape by the ocean? Zachari Dunes, offers 250 roomy suites—most with stunning ocean views—so you can soak up the scenery from the comfort of your own space. The resort has recently had a total renovation, giving everything a fresh, inviting feel. It features a sparkling pool, relaxing hot tub, private cabanas, and a cozy fire pit—perfect for unwinding at any time of day. Plus, there are plenty of tasty food and drink options to keep you satisfied throughout your stay.

Our room, on the ground floor, featured a sitting area, coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator with a bathroom in one room and a king size bed and bathroom in the other. A sliding glass door opened to our own patio with a full-on beach view and table and chairs for enjoying that view, possibly with a glass of wine in hand and a cheese tray on the table (you betcha!). Add to that a book and some of your favorite tunes and as far as I’m concerned, you’ve got Nirvana.

Since check-in is pretty late in the afternoon (4:00 p.m.) we decided to get our bearings and enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant, Ox and Ocean. Newly appointed Chef Sebastain Matheja crafts refined dishes that showcase the region’s abundant local ingredients, and perfectly complements the laid-back yet upscale atmosphere. We sat on the patio with a view of the ocean. The patio was dotted with heaters and firepits for the beach’s chilly nights.

Dinner for me was an order of Short Rib Bao Buns and a refreshing Aperol spritzer-like drink with a kick of vodka. My companion went full carnivore with a Grilled Pork Chop and a glass of Cab. I loved the Bao with its combination of sweet hoisin sauce, spicy and tart kimchi and the delightful touch of kewpie mayo. It fit right into my wheel house. The pork chop was full of porkie goodness which was enhanced with an apple bacon chutney and sweet squash puree.

The next day we toyed with renting bikes but to tell the truth we haven’t been on a bike in years. I really didn’t want to test the “it’s like riding a bike” theory. We did check out the on-property bike rental, Wheel Fun Rentals and they had everything you’d need for a fun bike ride.

We chose to take a stroll along the beach walk to ‘olołkoy Beach Park. It was a glorious day with the sun shining and a cool breeze. The walk was an easy one from the hotel and we thoroughly enjoyed it. What a wonderful resource for wakers, riders and skaters.

For lunch we decided to try out Visit Oxnard’s Taco Trail, because TACOS! It’s a really cool website with around 30 different restaurants that specialize in the oh so yummy taco. I chose a restaurant at random called the House of Tacos and that’s as far as we got. I had the best taco I have ever tasted there. I find that a taco is the sum of all its parts and every ingredient in these tacos were the bomb. The tortillas were freshly made and tender yet with a nice bite. The fillings were grilled and flavorful and they had the most rocking avocado salsa. I had three tacos: one with Al Pastor with pineapple, one with Adobada and one with Chorizo and Sirloin. Yum, yum, yum. I’m sure all of the other restaurants have great tacos too but these just hit the sweet spot.

After a long walk and three tacos we needed some patio time. A glass of rose for me and an old fashioned for my companion, a shady patio and the wide expanse of the Pacific made for a pleasant afternoon.

We’d yet to have a seafood meal and that needed to be remedied stat! We chose to go to the Channel Island Harbor and a family-owned and as far as I could tell, locals hangout Sea Fresh. The restaurant is a casual affair where you order at a counter, get a number and pick up your food when it’s ready. Both of us ordered the grilled halibut with two side dish choices. I got the fried zucchini and parmesan truffle Brussel sprouts and my companion opted for the mashed potatoes and garlic bread. The food was just as advertised, fresh and flavorful. It hit that need for seafood spot and I loved the local vibe.

Channel Islands Harbor is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The Marine Emporium Landing is the harbor’s main hub for recreational activities. For an adventure on the water, jet skis are available for rent as well as standup paddleboards and kayaks, providing plenty of ways to experience the harbor’s scenic beauty. And of course there are plenty of shops and restaurants to experience.

We were back to our room in time for the sunset, something I always look forward to. It did not disappoint with the sun slowly dipping behind one of the Channel Islands.

Oxnard is a hidden gem with beautiful beaches, good eating, and plenty of space to enjoy yourself. For a laid back trip to the beach you can’t beat it, but shhh it’s a secret!

The 411:

Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton: 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard. (805) 984-2500, www.zacharidunes.com

Ox and Ocean: 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard. (805) 760-9040, www.oxandoceanoxnard.com

Wheel Fun Rentals: 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard. (805) 984-1994, www.wheelfunrentals.com/ca/oxnard/zachari-dunes-mandalay-beach

Visit Oxnard’s Taco Trail: www.visitoxnard.com/food-drinks/tacotrail

House of Tacos: 1045 Patterson Rd, Oxnard. (805) 382 2238, www.houseoftacosgrill.com

Sea Fresh Channel Islands: 3550 Harbor Blvd., (805) 204-0974, www.seafreshci.com

Channel Islands Harbor: 2741 Victoria Ave, Oxnard. (805) 973-5950, www.channelislandsharbor.org.

Visit Oxnard: 3600 Harbor Blvd #469, Oxnard. (805) 385-7545, www.visitoxnard.com