Downtown Oxnard

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Description

Although Oxnard is mostly made up of vast stretches of flat ugly agricultural land for strawberries, industrial wastelands loaded with gang graffiti, and other eyesores, there are some real gems to be found because of Oxnard's rich history of settlers. Heritage Square is one of those gems! Plaza Park is another. Here, on 5th Street and B Street you'll find a large lawn interspersed with pines and palm trees, and a fancy octoganol Pagoda bandstand from 1910. This place really comes alive in December when there is a digital music and lights show playing continually at the pagoda between 6 and 9pm every night. There are snowmen and reindeer, and it's one of the most magical ways to celebrate Christmas! The huge pine tree in the park is lit from crown to trunk. Another nice thing to do at Christmastime is stroll along Oxnard Tree Lane, which is lit with Christmas lights, at F and G Streets between 5th & Palm.
Bordering the park is the Carnegie Art museum, which is in a Neo-classical building of grand white columns, and was built in 1907. It houses the paintings and photography of California artists Arthur Beaumont, Colin Campbell Cooper, Millard Sheets, and Leo Politi. Call before you go because they were unepectedly closed the day we visited.
Centennial Plaza, on B Street beside Plaza Park is an attractive revitalization project that seems almost out of place in the surrounding area. Here you can get an icecream at Cold Stone Creamery or a coffee at Starbucks. There is a fountain that lights up in different colors.  The best thing to do here is go to dinner at Casa Escobar. It is lushly decorated inside with velvet red seat cushions and chandeliers, and a magnificent wood dance floor. The Mexican food is delicious- try the enchiladas.
If you walk through the poor neighborhoods full of historical Craftsman-style homes to the corner of E Street and 3rd Street you will be surprised to find an exquisite church, Santa Clara Church, as good as any cathedral you would find in Europe. It is a rich maroon color and is in perfect condition. It was built in 1904 and is of 14th century Gothic design. Surrounded by tall Australian pine trees, it is the most beautiful sight you will see in Oxnard! Don't miss out on it. Our kids had fun playing with the monkey-tail branches that fall on the grass below the Australian pines.
Other Areas to Explore
Most of Oxnard is industrial agriculture but there are some nice areas to check out while you're here, such as Port Hueneme with its white sand and cool pier. Oxnard Beach has some great dunes. Channel Islands Harbor has a nice playground by the water at Peninsula Park.

Photo Gallery

The Carnegie Art Museum looks out of place in its surroundings.	One can imagine that Oxnard must have been nice back in the days when the early settlers came.	Festival at Plaza Park.
The pagoda at Plaza Park- like a wedding cake.	The new development, Centennial Plaza, and the colorful fountain.	Christmas decorations and 5th Street Steakhouse, at Centennial Plaza.
Statue outside Casa Escobar. There are lots of great statues in the delightful patio area too.	The wonderful Australian pines outside Santa Clara Church.	Santa Clara Church- am I in Europe?
Gothic design of Santa Clara Church.	Rose window of Santa Clara Church.	Grab an icecream and watch the fountain dance at Centennial Plaza.
The huge tree lit up in Plaza Park each December.	Blue icicles at the pagoda, during the lights and music show every night in December.	The lights and music show.
A happy Californian snowman!

Directions

Exit Highway 101 at Highway 1/Oxnard Blvd. From Highway 101 Southbound, keep right at the fork following the signs to Esplanade/Wagon Wheel. From Highway 101 Northbound, turn left on Highway 1/Oxnard Blvd. Go 3 miles on Highway 1. Turn right on 4th Street and park along the road. There is ample parking in Downtown Oxnard.
Santa Clara Church, 323 S E St, (805) 487-3891.
Carnegie Art museum, 424 S C St, (805) 385-8157. Call first because they were closed on the day we visited.
Casa Escobar Restaurant, 455 A St, (805) 240-1740.
Cold Stone Creamery, 261 W 5th St, (805) 385-7201.

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Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

El 02/26/2010 20:39	Love the movie theater here!
Eleanor 12/21/2009 09:23	it was amazinggg!