There are at least two ways to drive to L.A. from Oxnard, a beach city and gateway to the spectacular Channel Islands National Marine Park..

The inland route is generally faster on Highway 101, and the longer trails winds along the beaches such as Point Mugu and Malibu. If time permits on your next journey to this Southern California/ Central Coast region, by all means enjoy the Pacific Ocean views.

Oxnard beaches maintain the look and feel of Southern California beaches with fine sand, fine weather and surfing. Tantalizing islands that glisten off coast are the Channel Islands. Island Packers boat trips run daily to the island and from Oxnard, you can take a boat that makes a return trip to Anacapa Island, somewhat a Galapagos of the Pacific.

Once north of L.A., the vacation island, Catalina fades from view and the Channel Islands can be seen. They will be visible offshore all the way past Santa Barbara to the north.  As you sit at Ormond Beach, an interesting spot with port-a-pots and a sign that says "NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY  POINT MUGU AND PORT HUENEME HOME OF THE PACIFIC FLEET HAWKEYES & SEABEES". Right next to the sign is a fence and a tower. But not a person in site.   The beach is set to this eerie scene, though when you grab up your beach chair and stake a claim on the sand, it's extremely peaceful. Cars zip by on Highway 1 not far away, but the noise of them sort of fades, the closer you get to the ocean waves.

The backdrop of this beach are steep mountain cliffs. Not good for climbing, they do frame some fantastic hiking trails and parks in mountain recreational areas such as Point Mugu, then Santa Monica mountains to the south. Those who live in this region love the landscape that's anything but flat or boring. While Oxnard sits on very flat land in a valley it and its neighbor, Ventura, enjoy stunning mountains, and numerous microclimates that few places can boast.

Ormond Beach is less popular than the hotel beaches and residential beaches of Oxnard--Mandalay Beach at the Embassy Suites Resort, Silverstrand stretching on the ocean front next to some "not cheap" houses overlooking the ocean, and Hollywood Beach are several. They are all beautiful, sandy expanses with some mixed vegetation that grows out of the sand, and slight dunes.  On a bright, sunny day, the sun setting behind a stately shaped palm just takes your breath away at Oxnard beaches.

We've written about Oxnard and its charms many times, and always conclude that it's the shining star not far from the other Hollywood in L.A., yet every bit as appealing in its own right.