Camarillo
Camarillo is home to one of So Cal’s hottest shopping destinations. It’s also a place where its history is celebrated on the streets of Old Town and in the impeccably restored Camarillo Ranch House.
The vast agricultural influence around Camarillo contributes to the magnificent Saturday morning Farmers’ Market in Old Town Camarillo. By contrast, three minutes down the road you can find the latest fashions at one of the nation’s best Premium Outlets.
For golf enthusiasts, Camarillo is a dream destination with incredible year-round weather and two pristine public golf courses. Just outside of town is the beautiful and historic California State University Channel Islands, a brilliant mix of old and new architecture and land use.
The beautifully restored Camarillo Ranch House is a fascinating glimpse back to Camarillo’s early days. A docent-led tour takes you through the history of the era.
At the Camarillo Airport you’ll find the World War II Aviation and Commemorative Air Force Museum. Not only does this museum house many rare aircraft, but it is also known for the on-going restoration of historic war birds by a number of volunteers many of whom might very well have been part of the original production line.
Oxnard
In the casual seaside city of Oxnard, you’ll find an active boating harbor, the nation’s largest kosher winery, the world-class Mullin Automotive Museum, and a historic downtown bursting with multicultural flavors and architectural treasures.
Spend some time in Downtown Oxnard, where a tasty array of authentic Mexican cuisine and new eateries are putting Oxnard on the culinary map.
Nearby Heritage Square is an amazing collection of magnificently restored homes and lushly landscaped gardens.
At Channel Islands Harbor, find waterfront fun at Marine Emporium Landing. Rent a kayak or electric boat to tour the inland waterways. Bike and Segway rentals are also available. Book a sportfishing excursion and head out to sea.
The hub of the Ventura County Wine Trail, Oxnard is home to three outstanding wineries: Herzog Wine Cellars, Magnavino Cellars, and Rancho Ventavo Cellars.
For automotive lovers and collectors, the Mullin Automotive Museum is one of the very best. It celebrates the Art Deco movement in motoring design, and that influence carries over to the French-inspired interior. See award-winning Bugattis, Voisins, Delages and other French cars from the 1920s to 40s. Open only twice a month – but worth the trip!
Ventura
Ventura’s “Real California” vibe is evident in the synthesis of surf culture, historic buildings and a bustling downtown scene. Visitors of Ventura enjoy a lively arts scene, outdoor adventures, and the fusion of agricultural abundance and ocean side proximity that make it a chef’s paradise.
Ventura Harbor Village is a lively way to begin your visit to Ventura. The waterfront promenade features shops, restaurants, a carousel for kids …even a comedy club. Here you can rent paddle boats, kayaks, electric boats, or hop on a charter boat to the Channel Islands National Park.
Daily excursions to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands offer vistas and environments unavailable anywhere else. The islands are an exhilarating way to experience wild, isolated land and seascapes and well as a national marine sanctuary. The on-shore (mainland) Channel Islands National Park headquarters at Ventura Harbor is a great place to learn about the five islands just offshore.
Downtown Ventura shopping, dining, antique-ing, wine bars, and an active night life atmosphere. While exploring downtown, be sure to visit Museum of Art Ventura County and San Buenaventura Mission, and on Saturday mornings – the Farmer’s Market. On weekends, you can book food tours, wine tours and walking tours at the Ventura Visitors Center.
Dates To Remember In December
Ventura Winter Wine Walk
Saturday, December 06
4 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. – Downtown Ventura
The wine walk showcases world class wineries. Each guest receives a tasting cup and a map of the participating tasting sites in downtown Ventura. As you stroll down Main Street you can browse holiday items at a street fair and be surrounded by a winter holiday ambiance of live jazz and blues entertainment, beautiful holiday lighting and snowfall from 6:45 pm to 8 p.m. http://www.venturawinterwinewalk.com/
6th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival
Saturday, Dec 7, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Plaza Park, Oxnard. Admission: Free
Get the tastiest tamales in town – from sweet to savory, traditional to gourmet. Learn tamale making with live demos. Enjoy the tamale eating contest, holiday crafts fair, kids activities, and music from CHICO and TIERRA. Call 805-766-4906 for more information.
www.OxnardTamaleFest.com
38th Annual Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks
Friday & Saturday, December 12 & 13
Ventura Harbor, Ventura
Parade – 6:30 p.m., Fireworks – 8 p.m.
Theme: “Holidays Across the World”
Admission: Free
Pack up the kids and come down to Ventura Harbor for the 38th Annual Parade of Lights. On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., they’ll be real snow and carnival rides at Ventura Harbor Village. http://www.venturaharborvillage.com/ventura-harbor-village-event-details.php?event=945
49th Annual Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard
Daytime events. Parade starts at 7 p.m.
Theme: “A Buccaneer’s Holiday”
Admission: Free
Kick off the holidays with a full day and evening of family fun, thousands of sparkling lights dancing on the water and the magical moment when Santa flies across the sky marking the beginning of the parade. Children’s activities and artists market will take place at Marine Emporium Landing; parade begins at 7 p.m. and can be viewed throughout the harbor. Waterfront viewing is available from some restaurants and boat charters. http://channelislandsharbor.org/thingstodo/events/2014/ParadeOfLights2014.htm
Must Stay …
RESIDENCE INN OXNARD
RIVER RIDGE
2101 West Vineyard Ave., Oxnard 805-278-2200 ~ www.Marriot.com
Must Eats …
TIERRA SUR at
HERZOG WINE CELLARS
3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard
www.tierrasuratherzog.com
BROPHY BROS.
1559 Spinnaker Dr.. Ventura 805-639-0865
brophybros.com
WAYPOINT CAFE
325 Durley Ave., Camarillo
805-388-2535
www.thewaypointcafe.com
Must Do …
THE PAINTED CABERNET
The Collection Riverpark
630 Collection Boulevard , Oxnard 805-485-8716 ~ www.paintedcabernet.com
CRUISE THE HARBOR
Ventura Boat Rentals
1575 Spinnaker Drive Ventura
805-642-7753 ~ www.venturaboatrentals.com
VENTURA HARBOR COMEDY CLUB
1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 205, Ventura
805-644-1500 ~ www.venturaharborcomedyclub.com
CAMARILLO PREMIUM OUTLETS®
740 E. Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo
805-445-8520 ~ www.premiumoutlets.com
GRANT PARK VENTURA HIKE
398 Ferro Drive, San Buenaventura, Ventura~ www.thetrailmaster.com
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE
455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, 805-482-0064 ~ www.cafsocal.com
FOOTGOLF AT RIVER RIDGE
2401 West Vineyard, Oxnard, 805-983-4653 ~ www.riverridge-golfclub.com
and so much more …