Oxnard, CA: Days of Endless Summer and Cocktails

By Sandra Scott

John and I have explored many parts of California and have driven the famed Highway One north and south from San Francisco but there are always new things to discover.

Upon our arrival at LAX airport, we hopped into our rental car and headed north on Highway One to Oxnard, California. We checked into Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay where the next three days were full of new discoveries.

We explored Heritage Square, where 11 historic buildings have been moved to a single block, restored to their original condition, and serve a variety of functions. After a wonderful lunch at La Dolce Vita, which is housed in the historic Colonial Revival Laurent/McGrath House, we drove through the tree-lined streets of the Henry T. Oxnard Historical District with its collection of early 20^th-century Craftsman and Revival bungalows. We returned to the Embassy Suites in time to walk along the beach and watch the sun set. Then we headed to the nightly Manager’s Reception, where we enjoyed the Manager’s Cocktails of the Day. I had the Beach Cooler prepared by Michelle Sandoval. It is a refreshing blend of tequila, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, Sweet & Sour, topped with an orange slice. John enjoyed the Gold Coast Sunset made with tequila pineapple juice, OJ, peach schnapps, and grenadine. So delicious and so appropriate for the day.

The next day we learned about Oxnard’s connection to the Pacific Ocean at the Ventura County Maritime Museum. The permanent collection includes extensive marine art and historic ship models. At the Carnegie Art Museum, founded in 1907 by Andrew Carnegie, we pondered the thought-provoking newest acquisition, “Quiet Steps Approaching Thunder,” Alexey Steele’s pastel on paper. We returned to the Embassy Suites in time to walk along the paved trail that follows Mandalay Beach and watch the sunset before enjoying another Manager’s Reception. This time, John opted for the Sea Breeze, a refreshing mix of vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, with a twist of lime, while I had the Mandalay Breeze an equally delicious mix of vodka, cranberry juice, peach schnapps, amaretto, orange juice, topped with a lime slice.

Whales pass by on their migratory path between the Alaskan and Mexico. The Island Packers Whale Watching tour starts with information about whales and their 10.000-mile trip. The guide instructed, “Everyone keep on the lookout for water spouts. If you see one, shout ‘Thar she blows.’” It wasn’t long before the call went out, “Off the port, or left side for you land lubbers.” We spent the next 45 minute watching the whales surface and dive again. On the way back we were treated to a brilliant sunset with the dolphins surfing in our wake. The fresh air created a hunger that was duly satisfied by a new Brazilian restaurant, Moqueca, located next to the dock. Before dining on Brazilian-style steaks John ordered a Caiprinia, the signature cocktail of Brazil, I tried the Juticua, a blend of peach, mango, and cranberry juice with a healthy named for a Brazilian Beach. We recalled our days in Brazil several years before and toasted Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, the Portuguese explorer who declared the Oxnard area “the land of endless summer” – and exciting cocktails.

Visit www.visitoxnard.com and www.mandalaybeach.embassysuites.com.

Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Creators Syndicate
and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Photos by J. J. Scott.

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