Located on the beautiful Southern California coast, the City of Oxnard is the largest and most populous city in the County of Ventura. Nestled about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara, Oxnard prides itself on its rich diversity and culture.
Oxnard boasts some of the richest agricultural land in California. As well, Oxnard is also a thriving center of commerce, tourism and industry. Resort facilities and a recreational harbor attract and sustain a healthy tourist industry. Access to various points in the City has been recently enhanced by three newly completed interchanges from Highway 101.
In the years since incorporation in 1903 Oxnard has gone from cattle grazing, to sugar beets and lima beans, to orchards, to more intensive farming with several crops grown in a single year, to servicing the defense industry, and finally transformed itself into a City with a balanced and diverse industrial, housing, and commercial mix.
Local assets include two thriving military bases, a full service deepwater port, master planned industrial parks, prime commercial and retail sites, a regional medical center and hospital, a flourishing community college and all the amenities of an ideal coastal community.
Oxnard’s 2030 General Plan strikes a balance between the beauty of the City’s agricultural heritage, while continuing to accommodate dynamic changes. As the City’s population grows local government continues to offer many opportunities for our enterprising, forward-thinking business people. Through all the changes, Oxnard continues to remain a business-friendly community.
This City by the Pacific Ocean is an ideal place to raise a family, Oxnard residents enjoy a spirit of community pride. With its attractive residential areas located among tree lined streets, parks and beaches Oxnard provides a wide variety of housing choices.
Government
Oxnard is a full-service city. Incorporated as a general law city in 1903, Oxnard operates under the council-manager form of government. The City Council consists of an elected Mayor holding a four-year term and four council members elected at large for four-year overlapping terms. Also directly elected are the City Clerk and City Treasurer. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney. The City Manager is responsible for assisting the City Council in its policy-making role, providing information and advice, implementing policy, and managing approved services.
Oxnard’s downtown, provides a vibrant city center with a growing cultural arts district state-of-the-art cinemas, and over 40 International dining options including the best authentic Mexican from all regions of the country, Mediterranean cuisine, American fare, Chinese, and fresh seafood. Heritage Square offers a unique, quaint scene combined with delightful gardens and fountains – an ideal setting for some of Oxnard’s original homes to be viewed and appreciated. The Carnegie Art Museum, built in 1906 was the City’s first Public Library enriches residents and visitors alike with a host of world class exhibitions.
Where Pacific Coast Highway 1 meets the 101 Freeway 30 miles north of Malibu, Oxnard, gateway to California’s Central Coast and is home to a California Welcome Center. Oxnard Shopping offers a great mix of convenient malls and friendly harbor and downtown specialty stores. In the last several years, Oxnard has become one of California’s favorite coastal shopping areas. Whether you are looking for exclusive specialty shops or the best in discount shopping, Oxnard and the surrounding areas offer a wide range of choices. Looking for big name stores? Head to the Collection at Riverpark or The Esplanade.
“Oxnard today is a vibrant and culturally diverse community that celebrates its historical, recreational and environmental assets while planning proactively to create a prosperous, innovative and healthy future for residents, businesses and visitors” – City of Oxnard Community Profile 2013.
We invite you to come and enjoy our beautiful city with a mediterranean-style climate. Whether you plan to visit, to stay, or to explore, there are many opportunities awaiting you here in Oxnard!
Location Information – Map
Situated along a beautiful stretch of Pacific coastline, Oxnard is the largest city in Ventura County. The City is located about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara.
As you enter Oxnard, the first thing you’re likely to spot is the surrounding farmlands. With its patchwork of crops and orchards nestled along a narrow coastal plain, Oxnard boasts some of the richest agricultural land in California. A mix of climate, rich topsoil, adequate water and a long harvest season provide favorable conditions for such high-value crops as strawberries. Farmers can often grow double, sometimes triple, crops on the same piece of land during a year.
With such fertile lands, it stands to reason that Oxnard enjoys temperate weather throughout the year. In fact, weather conditions here remain fairly constant:
- Average annual high temperature: 73 degrees
- Average annual low temperature: 51 degrees
- Average annual rainfall: 14.75 inches