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When passing by
Oxnard on Highway 101, you likely will notice Burger King, Red Lobster,
Olive Garden and a variety of restaurants and shops within view of Highway 101. A quick exit off and onto the freeway
allows travelers to purchase meals and be back on the road
in quick time. Many of us who have done so, have never stopped to enjoy the
treasures located just beyond the freeway. You are
missing something special when you don't take the time to veer from the beaten path to see the
beautiful coastline, parks and Channel Islands Harbor nearby.
 A golden
sunset dropping behind the mountainous terrain of the Channel Islands from
your patio deck at the Embassy Suites - Mandalay Beach is a spectacular site.
Experiencing so many coastal sunsets, this vista may come as an unexpected
surprise if you are not aware of the set of beautiful islands offshore. The islands can be visited during your stay through Island
Packers charters. Call: 800-474-1361 or 805-642-1393. islandpackers.com
Oxnard was named for a family that developed one of the
first industries when they built a sugar beet factory. Their name stuck
with local residents over other choices such as Sugartown, and it's a good
thing. Surrounded by some of the richest agricultural land in the
world, strawberries are now the celebrated crop with a Strawberry Festival
usually held in May. Strawberries and sugar go well together, but it might
have left a bad taste to promote the biggest and best strawberry fest in
California in a town named after sugar. The festival features bands,
games and tons of strawberry dishes. It attracts about 100,000 people during
the annual weekend event.
There is much to see in Oxnard. Henry T. Oxnard Historic
District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, includes
beautiful houses and neatly-painted public buildings with immaculate trimmed lawns. If you prefer the beach experience,
relax on the sand overlooking the Pacific Ocean, learn to surf, go swimming, rent a bike or
roller blades and shop at the outlets and neighborhood stores. Oxnard offers
summer concerts, plays and special events throughout the year.
Carnegie Art Museum is located in a beautiful white Carnegie
building in the Historic District. The building is one of over 1500 public
structures built and donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie to be used as
a library. Designed by Los Angeles architect Franklin Burnham, it contains
Neo-Classical style with a Greek Temple facade in the Doric Order.
Constructed in 1907, it is one of the Ventura County's oldest buildings.
Modified several times, the Carnegie building served as a library until the
early 1960s. It was occupied by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, Oxnard
Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Art Club of Oxnard. In 1986 the City
of Oxnard transformed it into Carnegie Art Museum. It is owned and operated
by the City of Oxnard and is enjoyed by its art-loving community and all who
visit.
The Museum includes a permanent collection of over 600 paintings, drawings,
prints and photographs primarily by 20th century California artists.
Rotating exhibits, special cultural workshops and events such as poetry
readings, concerts and lectures are held in this historic property listed in
the National Register. www.vcnet.com/carnart/It is located at 424
South C Street, Oxnard, California 93030 Phone is (805) 385-8157. Normally
open Thursday through Sunday, call for hours and prices, which around time
of this publication were under $5 with a free admission Friday afternoons
between 3 and 5 p.m.
Water Taxi. is an expanded water taxi service which
has been approved for Channel Islands Harbor. Public contact: Oxnard Convention
& Visitors Bureau, Heritage Square, 711 South A Street, Oxnard, CA
93030; telephone (805) 385-7545
Beach Resort - Embassy Suites - Mandalay
Beach
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