ONLINE EDITION!
PRINT
DIGITAL
EAT, DRINK & PLAY   -   GET OUT OF TOWN
Get Out of Town!
A Sunday in Oxnard that Lives Up to its Name
May, 2023 - Issue #220

After a winter of near-record-setting rain - and even snow - in Santa Clarita you might be craving sunshine.
That was our state of mind on a recent Sunday, and a three-mile walk around Oxnard's seaside neighborhoods delivered a needed dose of Vitamin D and more.
Our walk began after brunch at Hollywood Beach Cafe. This popular breakfast and lunch locale is tucked into a small storefront surrounded by real estate offices on a sandy side street near the beach. We wouldn't have found it without Yelp.
After adding our name to the waitlist, we wandered out to the beach. It was the first clear sunny day in recent memory and the gap-toothed Anacapa Island stood in relief against the horizon while a gentle breeze washed over us. We paused to savor the scene, such a contrast from the previous weeks of gloomy weather. It served to remind us that too often we take for granted our typically-sunny Southern California winters.
Our table wasn't ready yet, so we ducked into Bougie Beach Co., a cute boutique next door to the cafe featuring clothing, housewares and beauty products all designed to reflect a mellow beach vibe.
Soon, it was our turn to be seated and we followed the hostess inside. We walked through a bigger-than-expected dining room, past the full bar and out to a table on the covered, dog-welcoming patio.
With coffee ordered, we perused the extensive menu. It was the lunch hour, but April and I both wanted breakfast. I went with The Hangover - chilaquiles with eggs over medium and avocado, accompanied by baked beans and a large spicy sausage, all drizzled with sour cream. April opted for the Breakfast Tacos, which come stuffed with scrambled eggs, red bell pepper, chorizo, cheese and cilantro, and are accompanied by tater tots.
"That was our STATE OF MIND on a recent Sunday, and a
three-mile walk around Oxnard's seaside neighborhoods
delivered a needed dose of Vitamin D and more."
Each entree was big enough to share, but since we were hungry after a late morning, and the food was so good, we powered through. We definitely needed a walk after we finished.
Heading south on Ocean Drive, we strolled past several open houses to the end of the peninsula at the mouth of Channel Islands Harbor, then made the turn on Harbor Boulevard. That brought us to the paths overlooking the marina. It was a placid day in the harbor and the trespassing harbor seals, like us, clearly appreciated the sunshine as they lounged on the docks for their Sunday afternoon naps.
We wandered past the Mystic Whaler docked at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. A modern replica of a 19th-century cargo vessel, the 83-foot schooner was built in the 1960s and spent its career on the East Coast. It will now make its home in Channel Islands Harbor and offer adventure-inspired experiential learning.
As we continued along the marina paths, we stumbled into the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market, which unbeknownst to us, runs 10am to 2pm every Sunday. Judging by the foot traffic, it is a popular local destination. It didn't take long to figure out why.
Farmers from Piru, Fillmore, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo County and beyond offered an abundant selection of fresh produce. Although we had finished breakfast little more than an hour earlier, we sampled juicy ripe strawberries, dark-green cucumbers and even freshly-made coconut almond butter. Tasting led to buying, and soon we were toting bags of our purchases, which included a new houseplant.
There were plenty of other things beyond produce for sale, too. Booths offered soap, jerky, tamales, acai bowls, hats, roasted corn, sausage, blankets and crystals.
Satiated with breakfast, walking and shopping, we skipped those and headed toward the car. There was more rain forecasted for the week ahead, but we appreciated a Sunday that lived up to its name.
Eric Harnish lives in Castaic.

Hollywood Beach Cafe
hollywoodbeachcafe.com

Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market
channelislandsharbor.org
EMAIL SIGNUP
- What is the sum of 8 + 9?
This is a required value
to protect against spam
community events
08
01
16
23
04
13