There is nothing like taking a trip with the people you love. On our latest trip to California, I got to play tour guide and share my favorite things to do in Oxnard with my partner David and our son Jayden. It’s where I grew up, and I love coming home and visiting the beaches, eating at my favorite spots and exploring what’s new in town.
If you’re planning a road trip, or want to adventure somewhere new, here’s how to plan the perfect weekend or 3-day trip in Oxnard, including places to go in Oxnard, where to eat and where to stay.
How to Plan the Perfect (Long) Weekend in Oxnard
Here’s what our schedule looked like traveling with a one-year-old.
Day 1 – Silver Strand Beach
Morning – You can’t come to Oxnard without checking out the beaches, so we spent the morning exploring Silver Strand Beach. If you want to check out the art murals and La Jenelle shipwreck, head to the very end of Ocean Drive and Sawtelle Avenue. The colorful murals are just a short walk from the street. We really enjoyed checking out the historic remains of the luxury ship too. It’s a fun hidden gem that’s worth exploring on your visit.
Lunch – We picked up lobster tacos and brisket sandwiches at The Strandwhich and had a family picnic at Silver Strand Beach. After we ate, we walked around the beach, and we had a relaxing time before Jayden’s nap time.
3 pm – Check in at the Hampton Inn and explore the hotel.
Dinner – We invited my parents to join us at Moqueca, a Brazilian Restaurant at the Channel Islands Harbor. My parents love to eat here, so it was really great to spend family time with them and enjoy a delicious meal.
Day 2 – Downtown Oxnard
Morning – We picked up breakfast at the hotel, and I took Jayden to Peninsula Park to play in the playground. We walked to the docks and said hello to the sea lions, and watched them play in the water. My mom and nephew joined us, and we stopped by Toppers Pizza before heading to the Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market. We picked up beautiful sunflowers and ate delicious local strawberries.
Lunch – Sushi Way is a fun restaurant in Downtown Oxnard that features a blend of Japanese and Latin flavors. I love that you can order Horchata with sushi rolls.
Dinner – Settebello at the Collection at RiverPark is always a lively spot for dinner. We really enjoyed their selection of appetizers and pizza, and the drinks are great here too. They also have a Happy Hour menu.
Day 3 – Seabridge Picnic
Morning – Although it might not look busy on the outside, BG’s Cafe in Downtown Oxnard is the place to be for a hearty breakfast. We loved the friendly service and delicious food, and they were really quick to get our order out too. After breakfast, we went back to the hotel to relax, and I took Jayden to the playground before his nap.
Afternoon – I invited my friends and family to join us for a unique, fun experience at Seabridge. Pop Up Party rentals set up a fun boho-style picnic for us overlooking the water. We ordered food from Fishermen’s Catch and enjoyed lunch by the water. After lunch, the kids played at the Seabridge playground. The weather was ideal, and it was the perfect way to wrap up the weekend in Oxnard.
Where to Stay: Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor
You really can’t beat the location of the Hampton Inn. This hotel is right on the marina and next to Peninsula Park.
Here’s what we loved about our stay:
- The rooms with a King bed are spacious, and you can fit a portable crib and not feel crowded. There is a mini-fridge, couch, desk and microwave.
- Great views! My son loves boats, so it was so perfect to have a balcony to check out the view.
- There is a heated pool and fitness center.
- It’s close to restaurants. Toppers Pizza is a short walk away, and the Harbor restaurants are about a five-minute drive.
- Next to a playground. If you have kids, you know how ideal it is to be able to walk to a playground for them to run around.
- Complimentary breakfast. Super convenient to be able to make your own waffles, eat breakfast and grab a cup of coffee before leaving the hotel.
- Friendly service. I needed to get milk for our son, and the hotel staff was super friendly and got it for us. That was super helpful!
Conclusion
If you want to explore more fun things to do in Oxnard, bookmark this post: 15 Fun Things To Do In Oxnard, California with Kids.
Thank you Visit Oxnard, for hosting our stay. All opinions are my own.
Well done!👏❤️