Oxnard, CA

Oxnard is an agricultural community on the Southern California Coast that also boasts a residential and second home beach community. It is located approximately eight miles south of Ventura. The city is home to roughly 184,000 residents.

Oxnard has established itself as an important transit hub. The city is home to two U.S. Navy bases, Port Hueneme and NAS Point Mugu. Port Hueneme is the busiest commercial port between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The city takes its name from Henry Oxnard, who operated a thriving sugar beet factory in the area from 1899 until 1959.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Oxnard is one of the most important agricultural communities in Southern California. The area boasts some of the most fertile soil in the world, and its mild climate is conducive to double harvests. The area is currently ranked as California's top strawberry producer, providing approximately one-third of the state's yearly strawberry harvest. The city is also known for its production of lima beans, beets, and cucumbers.

During the 1960s and 1970s, an increasing amount of Oxnard's farmland was annexed and industrialized. Concerned that valuable agricultural land was being lost to development, citizens passed SOAR laws (Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources) in 1998 to curb urban sprawl and protect agricultural assets. The city continues to strive for balance between its agricultural resources and the needs of an expanding and increasingly diverse economic base.

The two U.S. Naval bases in Oxnard have encouraged development of other communications and defense-based industries in the city. Other major companies with headquarters here include Haas Automation, Drum Workshop, Seminis, and Boss Audio. Sysco and Procter &Gamble also have facilities in Oxnard.

The St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard is part of the largest health care organization in the county. The hospital offers cancer care, cardiac services, neuroscience, and orthopedics. Specialty offices include a Parkinson's center and physical therapy. St. John's also serves Oxnard through community wellness programs and support groups.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The neighborhoods in the city of Oxnard are spread over seven districts. Del Norte District, Central District, Northeast District, Northwest District, Southcentral District, Southeast District and Southwest District are the districts that comprise more than 60 neighborhoods:

• Popular neighborhoods in the Del Norte District include El Rio, El Rio West, River Park, Strickland and Nyeland Acres. Central District (also known as Downtown Oxnard) comprises some popular neighborhoods, such as Bartolo Square North, Bartolo Square South, Cal Giesler, Durley/Kamala Park, Five Points Northwest and Fremont South.
• Neighborhoods in the Northeast District include East Village, Rio Lindo, Rose Park and West Village. The northwest District comprises of some distinctive neighborhoods, such as Cabrillo, Carriage Square, Fremont North, Orchard Park and River Ridge.
• The Southcentral District incorporates some popular neighborhoods, such as Blackstock North, Cypress, Redwood, Pleasant Valley Estates and Southwinds. The Southeast District comprises of 10 neighborhoods including College Estates, Mar Vista, Terrace Estates, Villa Capri and Oxnard Pacific.
• The Southwest District comprises of 10 neighborhoods including Channel Islands, Oxnard Dunes, Seaview Estates and Marina West.

In recent years, the Oxnard Police Department has imposed two injunctions aimed at reducing gang activity in the city. The injunctions imposed limitations on certain types of dress, loitering in the streets, hand signs, and other gang-related activities. While effectively reducing crime in the target areas, some residents felt the injunctions were discriminatory and caused gangs to relocate rather than disband.

In order to cut down on the amount of graffiti in the city, the Oxnard City Council formed the Graffiti Task Force in 2005. Citizens are encouraged to report graffiti activity, obtain graffiti removal kits, and pledge to keep their neighborhoods graffiti free.

GETTING AROUND

The Oxnard Transportation Center is a major transit station for Southern California, serving as a hub for Greyhound buses; Amtrak, Metrolink, and Union Pacific trains; and the region's bus service. Taxi services are also available in the city, as are car and bike rentals.

The Oxnard Airport (OXR) is a commuter airport located just a few miles from the civic center, with daily flights connecting to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

FAMILY FUN

Oxnard is renowned for its long, beautiful coastline, sandy beaches and beautiful surf. Some of the city's more popular beaches include:

• Mugu Rock State Beach
• Ormond Beach
• Hueneme Beach
• Silver Strand Beach
• Oxnard State Beach

EVENTS

• Oxnard is home to the annual California Strawberry Festival. This two-day event, held in May, features strawberry food exhibits, cooking demonstrations, rides, live entertainment, and a petting zoo.
• Visitors may try other types of produce grown in Oxnard's famous soil at either of two certified farmers markets. Oxnard growers are also known for lima beans, celery, lemons, and Asian vegetables. Produce at the markets varies by season.
• For two days each fall, Oxnard hosts the Oxnard Independent Film Festival. The Festival honors high-school and college filmmakers in varying genres, including comedy, drama, horror, music video, and news/documentary. The city boasts over 250 prospective filming locations.

FOR VISITORS

Places of interest in Oxnard include:

• Heritage Square, where turn-of-the-century homes and buildings have been relocated to a unique one-block area. The Square features a community theater and a visitor's center. It also hosts community events throughout the year.
• Two naval bases, Port Hueneme and Point Mugu, were established in the area to take advantage of the only deep-water port between the Port of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay. Port Hueneme includes the Seabee Museum, which showcases the work of the Navy Seabees and Civil Engineer Corps during World War II.
• Originally opened in 1907 as a library, the Carnegie Art Museum now houses temporary exhibits that change every three months. Portions of its permanent collection are shown periodically.
• Henry T. Oxnard National Historical District, where visitors can take walking tours of historic homes.
• Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center, the community's home for concerts, plays, and other cultural events.
• The Channel Islands National Park is another popular destination in Oxnard. While close to the mainland, its isolation over the years has preserved unique species of animals and plants.
• Channel Islands Harbor, a recreational resort that offers kayak rentals, boat charters, a dive center, and sport fishing. It is home to the Ventura County Maritime Museum, which houses a collection of model boats from throughout maritime history.
• The Gull Wings Children's Museum features hands-on exhibits such as a space-shuttle control board, ocean touch-tank, and rainforest animals.

EDUCATION

Oxnard College is a culturally diverse two-year vocational school that also offers college credit to high school students. Other schools with satellite campuses in Oxnard include:

• California Lutheran University
• California State University
• Northridge
• ITT
• University of California, Santa Barbara