Murphy Auto Museum - Oxnard

NOTE: The Murphy Auto Museum announced it will be shutting its doors in July 2024.

See a collection of dozens of vintage and classic cars at the Murphy Auto Museum, 1930 Eastman Avenue in Oxnard .

The suggested donation to the museum is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Active military with ID or in uniform are also free.  Open year-round on Saturdays/Sundays from 10am to 4pm. April through December, the museum is also open on Fridays from 10am to 4pm.

For more information visit www.murphyautomuseum.org or call 805.487.4333.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum opened in 1991 as an independent, not-for-profit public benefit corporation funded by members, friends, charitable foundations and businesses. It is located at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard (off of Harbor Boulevard) in the Channel Islands Harbor.

The museum is open Thursday to Monday from noon to 4 PM. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. As of January 2024, admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+) and active military and free of charge to those under 18.

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is home to a permanent collection of extensive marine art, featuring works by the Dutch and Flemish painters, 17th century artists Willem van de Velde and Bonaventura Peeters. Noted modern artists in the collection include John Stobart, Montague Dawson, David Thimgan, Roy Cross and Christopher Blossom.

The museum also houses one of the two largest collections of antique Napoleonic prisoner of war sailing ship models in the US. Three thousand years of maritime history are illustrated by historic ship models, including the life's work of renowned builder Edward Marple. Exhibits on whaling, sailors' arts, the history of the Channel Islands Harbor and Port of Hueneme round out the collection.

In my many visits to the museum, I have been very impressed by how knowledgeable the docents were about the contents of the museum! I learned a lot and was amazed at the collection of nearly 100 intricate ship models on display going back hundreds of years. I was also pleased to see docents take the time to engage my kids in some of the exhibits.

For more information, including current exhibits and upcoming museum events, visit www.channelislandsmaritimemuseum.org or call 805.984.6260.

Over 150 Movie Theater Screens Around Ventura County

Here's a handy list of movie theaters with over 130 (originally it was over 150, but there’s been some closures over the years) screens throughout Ventura County and adjacent areas. Click the links for theater websites and/or showtimes.

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas at the Promenade at Westlake, 100 Promenade Way, Westlake Village  (8 screens). Order food and drink from your seat and enjoy. cinepolisusa.com/locations/cinepolis-luxury-cinemas-westlake-village (805) 413-8838

AMC Dine-In Thousand Oaks 14, 166 West Hillcrest Drive at The Oaks Mall. Tickets at www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/los-angeles/amc-dine-in-thousand-oaks-14. $5 Tuesdays all day for AMC Stubs members.

Regal Janss Marketplace 9 is located at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, 255 North Moorpark Road. www.regmovies.com/theaters/regal-janss-marketplace-9/C00300689804

Former Muvico (now AMC Dine-In) Thousand Oaks.

Regency Agoura Hills 8, 29045 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (818.707.9966) regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=22 $7 for all seats on Sundays.

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura

Century Downtown 10, 555 East Main Street, Ventura (800.326.3264) www.cinemark.com/southern-california/century-10-downtown

Century Riverpark 16 at 2766 Seaglass Way, Oxnard (800.326.3264). www.cinemark.com/theatre-1010

Century Riverpark 16 at The Collection at Riverpark

Edwards Camarillo Palace 12 and IMAX, 680 Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo (805.383.8879) (Located adjacent to The Promenade section of Camarillo Premium Outlets. www.regmovies.com/theaters/edwards-camarillo-palace-stadium-12-imax/C00287009669

Plaza Stadium Cinemas 14, 255 West Fifth Street, Oxnard (805.487.8380). www.santarosacinemas.com/plaza-14

Regency Buenaventura 6, 1440 Eastman Avenue, Ventura (805.658.6544). regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=14 Looking for a bargain!? As of July 2022, general admission is still just $3.50. All screenings are just $1 on Tuesdays!

Roxy Stadium 11, 5001 Verdugo Way, Camarillo (805.388.0532). www.santarosacinemas.com/roxy-11

Simi Valley

Regal Civic Center Plaza 16 & IMAX, 2751 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley (805.526.0232). www.regmovies.com/theaters/regal-simi-valley-civic-center-stadium-16-imax/C00745385306

Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center opened on October 22, 2015, with 9 screens and over 950 seats. www.studiomoviegrill.com/locations/california/simi-valley/2022/1/14

Regal Civic Center Plaza, Tapo Canyon Road, just north of the 118.

Other Local Theaters

Regency Theatres opened December 29, 2022 at the former Regal Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6 theater at The Commons at Calabasas. regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=51

Regency Santa Paula 7, 550 West Main Street, Santa Paula (805.933.6707). regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=19 Seats just $6.50 on Sundays!

Ojai Playhouse at 145 East Ojai Avenue (805.646.1011) (1 screen) - CLOSED FOR REPAIRS SINCE 2018 at the theater that originated in 1914. Anticipated to reopen in 2013.

CLOSED

Regal Malibu Twin at 3822 Cross Creek Road, Malibu (310.456.6990) (closed in September 2017)

Simi Valley 10 Tristone Cinemas, 1457 E. Los Angeles Avenue (805.526.4329) simivalley.tristonecinemas.com (Closed 12/5/19 “due to leasing disagreements”)

Regency Paseo Camarillo Cinemas (3 theaters), 390 North Lantana Street, Camarillo (805.383.2267). regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=3 (“TEMPORARILY CLOSED” SINCE AUGUST 2021.)

Regency Westlake Village Twin, 4711 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village (818.889.8061) regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=1 Closed 1/17/22.

Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6, 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas (818.223.0223). www.regmovies.com/theaters/edwards-calabasas-stadium-6/C00791471576 Closed 9/15/22

New West Symphony - Thousand Oaks

The New West Symphony performs at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and the 695-seat Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo.

The New West Symphony is a 501(c)3 non-profit governed by a 50-member board of directors. The annual concert program features the great symphonic repertoire of the 19th through 21st centuries.

For more information, visit www.newwestsymphony.org.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center

The Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center has over 1,600 seats in a theater that showcases local theater, dance, music and other programs.

Since opening in March 1968, the center has hosted thousands of performances reaching over three million people. Outstanding Broadway musicals, prominent guest speakers and musical acts and plays have all graced the center's stage.

In 1996, the center was completely refurbished after serving its first 28 years as the Oxnard Civic Auditorium.

More information at www.theopac.org.

Color Me Mine Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio in Oxnard

Are you looking for a creative way to spend quality time with the ones you love? Paint ceramics with your friends and family at Color Me Mine Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio located at The Collection at Riverpark, at 2710 Portico Way, Oxnard!

Color Me Mine is a ceramic painting studio where you drop by anytime and paint a pre-made bisque pieces. For the price of a studio fee and the item you choose to paint, you can paint all day using 60+ colors and supplies! They then glaze and fire your work in a kiln and your work of art will be available in 5 to 7 days.

In addition to a vast array of tableware, painters can select from a variety of vases, frames, jewelry boxes, figurines, and more!

More information at www.oxnard.colormemine.com or call 805.981.8631.

Beaches Spanning From Carpinteria Through Ventura County to Malibu

My kids and I love going to the beach but for many years we seemed to go to the same ones all the time. So I stopped by the Automobile Club and asked them if they had a brochure on all the local area beaches open to the public. They shrugged their shoulders and said no such guidebook existed. They handed me a fold out map, which was of no use to me as I wanted to know exactly how to get to these beaches, if they have restrooms, parking, etc.

Then I started searching around for information and found bits and pieces in various locations that were marginally useful. So I decided to consolidate this information into one place where I could find out about where to go to the beach around Ventura County on up the coast to Carpinteria and Santa Barbara and down to Malibu. So I hope you find the following links helpful in finding local area beaches in Ventura County and surrounding areas!

Carpinteria to Ventura

Oxnard to Malibu

Santa Barbara Area Beaches

This took a lot of time to compile over 60 local area beach areas, so I truly hope you benefit from these lists! So enjoy and provide feedback if you have comments and/or additional information.

At Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu.

Windsurfers at Surfers' Point in Ventura.

King Trivia Live Pub Quiz Games at Locations Throughout Ventura County

King Trivia Live Pub Quiz hosts trivia games in pubs and restaurants all around Southern California. The games are free to play at designated venues, including the following areas local to Ventura County and nearby areas:

• Institution Ale Co. in Camarillo

• Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks

• BL Dancehall and Saloon in Agoura Hills

• Poseidon Brewing Company in Ventura

• Seaward Brewing in Ventura

• Social Tap Pub & Grill in Ventura

• The Garage in Ventura

For more information, visit www.kingtrivia.com.

Bike Path in Oxnard at Oxnard Beach Park to Channel Islands Harbor

There's a bike path that starts at the ocean side of Oxnard Beach Park at Mandalay Beach Road at Beach Way and takes you south all the way to Hollywood Beach and Channel Islands Harbor. Alternatively you can just park at the Oxnard Beach Park and go from there. It is roughly 3/4 of a mile one way to Harbor Boulevard.

Cross Harbor Boulevard and make your way into Channel Islands Harbor, where you can ride all the way to the south end of the harbor.

Entrance to bike path at Mandalay Beach Road and Beach Way

There's a loop you can do around Oxnard Beach Park

The bike path continues south and goes around the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel

Soon after passing the hotel, the path swing east towards Harbor Boulevard

At Harbor Boulevard, you can cross over to Channel Islands Harbor or veer right (west) on West Channel Islands Boulevard towards Hollywood Beach. 

plenty of sand at Hollywood Beach. There's a restroom facility here. You can bike along Ocean Drive, which parallels the beach, to an entry point. do note that you are no longer on a bike path. you can continue south on Ocean Drive until its endpoint, where you turn left on South Harbor Boulevard past Channel View Park, where you will soon reach Channel Islands Harbor. 

On S. Harbor Boulevard going north now, you will be able to take a right (east) turn on Albacore Way to get to the nice pedestrian/bike path along Channel Islands Harbor. It will take you past the Channel Islands Maritime Museum and marina, where there are restaurants and other things to do.

Pretty cool place to ride bikes at the harbor...and rarely crowded in my experience.

If you and the kids are up to it and want a longer ride, after reaching the north side of the Harbor, you can take Harbor Boulevard back over to W. Channel Islands Boulevard over the bridge to the middle of the Harbor. There's a popular Toppers Pizza over there. Or go the east side of the Harbor. 

Other options of course include parking at the Channel Islands Harbor somewhere and cycling your way up to the Oxnard Beach Park. And you can also pedal your way over to S. Victoria Avenue and take the bike lane all the way down to Silverstrand Beach (or even park at Silverstrand and ride your way up from there...though do take not that this is not a bike path). Have fun!

The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

The Collection at RiverPark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits.

The 650,000 sq ft center includes a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, various services, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Parking is available on the streets as well as several parking lots.

As of September 2020, the following businesses operate at The Collection:

Retail: Here’s a small fraction of stores at The Collection - Chico’s, Ethan Allen, Finish Line, Forever 21, Gap, H&M, IT’Sugar, Jos. A. Bank, Lane Bryant, MAC Cosmetics, Pet Food Express, REI, Sleep Number, Soma Intimates, Target,, The Container Store, ULTA Beauty, Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, Whole Foods Market and many more.

Entertainment: Levity Live Comedy Club & Dinner Theater, Century RiverPark 16, Color Me Mine, The Painted Cabernet, Jump ‘N Jammin Indoor Play. NOW OPEN (Oct 2021): Bowlero bowling lanes

Other: Bank of America, 24 Hour Fitness SuperSport, Massage Envy Spa, Ventura County Credit Union and more.

Restaurants include:

• After’s Ice Cream,

• Ben and Jerry’s

• Bottle & Pint (at The Annex)

• Burnin’ Mouth Nashville Hot Chicken

• Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen

• Da Hickory House

• Don Waffly (at The Annex)

• Five Guys Burgers & Fries

• GEN Korean BBQ

• It’s Boba Time

• Kabuki Japanese Restaurant

• King & Queen Cantina (coming soon as of November 2021)

• Larsen’s Grill

• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar.

• Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant

• Love Pho Cafe (at The Annex)

• Luna Grill

• Menchie's Frozen Yogurt

• Panera Bread

• Pizza Man Dan’s (coming soon to The Annex as of November 2021)

• Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters (at The Annex)

• Red Robin

• Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana,

• Silverlake Ramen

• Starbucks

• Taqueria El Tapatio (at The Annex)

• Texas de Brazil

• The Blend Superfood Bar (at The Annex)

• The Cheesecake Factory

• Whole Foods Bar Rincon

• Yard House.

Also at The Collection: The Annex, a 16,000 sq ft collection of micro shops, boutiques and eateries (included above). Across the street from Levity Live/Copper Blues.

There is unique public art placed throughout the center, including metal sculptures, ceramic tile murals, fountains and more. Shea Properties has spent around $1 million on art, bringing in seven artists for 18 individual art installations. Artists include Frank Bauer with his ceramic tile murals and benches and tile sidewalk medallions, and Michael Amescua with his cut metal sculptures.

Visit www.thecollectionrp.com or visit their Facebook page to learn more. To get there from the 101 North, exit on Oxnard Boulevard and turn right. Turn right again on Town Center Drive.

Playground at The Collection

Places that have come and gone from The Collection: Toby Keith's Bar & Grill closed in Spring 2015. Sabra Fish Grill opened in 2015 and closed in late 2017. Famous Dave’s BBQ. Gandolfo’s New York Deli, ANGL. General Chow closed in October 2019, EMC Seafood, Maria’s Italian Kitchen (closed April 2020), Seoul Sausage Company, PokeCeviche.

Red Door Escape Room at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

Red Door Escape Room at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard is a cool way to unplug and connect! Bring the whole gang for a day of adventure. Outsmart a mad scientist, escape from prison or find your way through a fairytale - the possibilities are endless!

After your 60 minute experience, debrief over some food at the Annex! With six escape episodes to choose from, pick your escape or escape from them all!

Learn more at www.reddoorescape.com or call 805-485-2520.

Opens October 15, 2021 at 531 Collection Boulevard, Space 4065 in Oxnard at The Collection at RiverPark. Book rooms starting October 1st.

Gondola Paradiso at Channel Islands Harbor

Founded in January 2014, Gondola Paradiso provides luxury Venetian-style cruises through the canals of the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

Cruises leave from Seabridge Marina, located off South Victoria Avenue at the Channel Islands Harbor, 1301 S. Victoria Avenue, Oxnard. To book a cruise, call (805) 612-4475 and for more information visit www.gondolaparadiso.com.

Senior Adult Centers Throughout Ventura County

Check THIS LIST of links to senior centers and recreation programs around Ventura County.