10 Things To Do In Downtown Oxnard, CA

Oxnard is a big city with activities spread across every inch, but downtown Oxnard alone has plenty of ways to stay entertained. As you’re looking at Oxnard luxury homes, consider their proximity to the city center so that you have easy access to the fun. Plaza Park is an excellent marking point, as the park hosts any number of downtown Oxnard events. Here’s just a sampling of things to do.

Every Thursday morning, Oxnard Plaza Park hosts the Downtown Oxnard Farmers’ Market, featuring an abundance of vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and more. In between picking up organic, quality ingredients, attendees can enjoy live music performances, kid-friendly activities, and even a weekly raffle. Not only does the Farmers’ Market make it easy to cook tasty and healthy dishes at home, but it’s a fun morning for family or friends.

 

Housed in a building dating back to 1907, the Carnegie Art Museum hosts permanent and temporary exhibits displaying cultural works, pieces from local artists, and historical artifacts. While browsing the displays can be a fascinating way to spend a few hours, the museum also offers special events, such as the Summer Event Series with live music, food, and drinks, or Art Chats, where visitors can meet other art lovers and discuss particularly compelling pieces.

 

There is no smell in the world better than the smell of books. The Downtown Oxnard Main Public Library, originally funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is home to thousands of texts, all begging to be read. Not only can visitors get lost in other worlds through the pages, but the library also preserves local history and culture through books, photographs, and other material so that the past is never forgotten. There’s also a KidZone, where children can get help with homework, find age-appropriate books, and attend storytimes.

 

Head to Old Town Oxnard to visit Heritage Square, a block of preserved and restored Victorian houses and other buildings that have been moved to create a little vignette of the past in the center of the modernized city. Knowledgeable docents lead tours in period outfits, transporting attendees back in time and providing interesting facts about the life of early pioneers and Oxnard residents in the early 1900s. While there, enjoy afternoon tea and keep an eye out for any upcoming special events — Heritage Square periodically hosts concerts and other performances.

Dance it out and show off your best salsa moves at El Miramar. The nightclub features sultry Latin tunes that will get your feet moving while you enjoy strong drinks and time with friends. It’s a great way to end a night out, and the location is convenient to several of Oxnard’s best downtown restaurants.

Downtown Oxnard is home to a wide variety of small, locally-owned businesses, so whether you’re looking to furnish your new Oxnard real estate or pick up a few gifts for loved ones, take a day to wander and explore the shops. Not only will you be supporting independent businesses, but you’re also extremely likely to find some unique pieces to purchase. Chula Vibes, for instance, features eyecatching craftwork in the form of purses, jewelry, and other accessories. For handcrafted quality furniture, hit Mindy’s Furniture where you’ll find gorgeous wood pieces, primarily using pine.

Don’t miss the amazing theatre shows at Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center. From Broadway musicals to symphony concerts, lovers of the visual arts will enjoy getting to see local talent take the stage. Additionally, this downtown Oxnard theatre runs special programs, including a program to introduce teens to different artistic mediums, the Esperanza Project which uses film to address the mental health crisis amongst Latinx use, and the Sight + Sound Film Festival which highlights movies made by independent film creators.

Plaza Park is the heart of downtown Oxnard and as such, offers a variety of classes and programs to the community. Kids can take classes in baking, join sports teams, and attend summer camp, but adults aren’t left out of the fun. From yoga classes to charity work supporting underprivileged senior citizens, there are plenty of ways to meet new people, have fun, and spend some time downtown enjoying the community.

Los Angeles may have a large number of famous restaurants, but it could be argued that Oxnard is a foodie town. The downtown area is home to some amazing restaurants, some featuring classic recipes while others chose to take risks on innovative flavor combinations. 1901 in Heritage Square serves elevated Italian dishes in a romantic, vintage setting, all within a Victorian-era home. Their seafood linguini highlights the freshness of the shellfish with a delicate sauce, and a scoop of gelato is the perfect finish to the meal. For a more casual meal, head to Bahia Del Mar, a seafood restaurant with a Mexican twist offering fresh ingredients, spicy flavors, and some of the best breakfast options in town.

While Oxnard has plenty of things to do already, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on Downtown Oxnard events. The city loves to put on festivals throughout the year, from First Thursdays – a food truck rodeo with live music on the first Thursday of every month – to the Heritage Square Holiday Tours in December. In July, hit the Oxnard Salsa Festival, where you can sample endless varieties of fresh salsa, listen to live music, and learn a few new Latin dance moves. The Oxnard Multicultural Festival embraces the numerous cultures that have blended to build the local area over the past hundred years with dance performances, music, and food. Talented artisans will also be selling craftwork representing their cultures, making it a great place to pick up a few gifts for family and friends.

With so much to do, is it any wonder that people love living in Oxnard? Join the community by reaching out to Ann Howorth, a real estate agent and loyal Oxnard resident, to find your next dream home. Whether you’re looking for Oxnard waterfront homes or have been intrigued by luxury homes closer to the city, she can not only help you find the perfect property but complete the purchase smoothly and with minimal stress.