First Thursdays Gourmet Food Trucks at Plaza Park in Oxnard

The first Thursday of the month is Gourmet Food Truck Night in Oxnard's Plaza Park, 519 South C Street. Each event brings 8 to 12 of the hottest trucks in the southland. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with DJ entertainment, friends, and downtown restaurants and shops joining in the party with late hours and specials. Plenty of free parking on street and in public lots. More information at downtownoxnard.org/activities/food-trucks. 

Upcoming Dates: September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th,

2020: January 2nd, February 6th, March 5th, April 2nd, May 7th, June 4th, July 2nd, August 6th, Sept 3rd, Oct 1st

2019 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard in July and August

The Dallas Cowboys are heading back to River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard at 2101 West Vineyard Avenue (next to the Marriott Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge) again this year for 2019 pre-season training camp!

Admission is FREE, no tickets needed. "Cowboys on Tour" trucks, team merchandise and Hall of Fame trailers will be at the site throughout camp.

Parking lots open at noon for 3:30PM practice, with gates opening at 1:30PM, and 7AM for 10:45AM practice, with gates opening at 8:30AM.

More updates at www.visitoxnard.com/cowboys.  

2019 Schedule

• Sat 7/27 - Opening Ceremonies 3PM; Practice at 3:30PM

• Sun 7/28 - Practice 3:30PM

• Mon 7/29 - Practice (Military Appreciation Day) 3:30PM

• Tue 7/30 - Practice 10:45AM

• Wed 7/31 - No Practice

• Thu 8/1 - Practice 3:30PM

• Fri 8/2 - Practice 3:30PM

• Sat 8/3 - Practice 3:30PM

• Sun 8/4 - Blue/White Scrimmage 3:30PM

• Mon 8/5 - No Practice

• Tue 8/6 - Practice (First Responders Appreciation Day) 3:30PM

• Wed 8/7 - Practice 3:30PM

• Thu 8/8 - Practice (Military Appreciation Day) 10:45AM

• Fri 8/9 to Sun 8/11 - No Practice

• Mon 8/12 - Practice 3:30PM

• Tue 8/13 - Practice 3:30PM

• Wed 8/14 - Practice 3:30PM

• Thu 8/15 - No Practice

Driving Directions

Northbound on the 101 freeway from Los Angeles: Exit Oxnard Boulevard. Turn RIGHT. Make your first LEFT onto Town Center Drive. Make a LEFT onto Ventura Road. Travel 1 mile and it will be on your RIGHT before Vineyard Ave. (watch for traffic lines at the entrance to the parking lot).

Parking at River Ridge Playing Fields is $10 weekdays for small vehicles and $20 for large vehicles. Weekends are $20 for small vehicles and $40 for large weekends.

No bicycles, backpacks (small diaper bag ok), coolers, ice chests, outside food and pets. No strollers in the bleacher area. No tailgating or alcohol allowed.

Burgerim to Open New Locations in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo and Oxnard

UPDATE 4/11/19: Thousand Oaks Burgerim now open at 1610 E. T.O. Blvd.

UPDATE: The Simi Valley Burgerim opened in September 2018.

Burgerim Thousand Oaks will be located next to Nothing Bundt Cakes

ORIGINAL POST 6/19/18

Burgerim is expanding rapidly throughout Ventura County with planned new locations in Thousand Oaks (1610 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Ste C), Simi Valley (1390-2 Madera Road, Suite P1-2), Ventura (Pacific View Mall), Camarillo (Premium Outlets, 740 Ventura Blvd, Unit 0228) and Oxnard (Northside Plaza, 191 E. Gonzales Road).

Camarillo location opened July 23rd.

Ventura (440 E. Main Street) location opened earlier this year.

Shout-out to Amelia S for the heads up.

Existing locations are the original Ventura County location in Newbury Park that opened in March 2017 and a Ventura location early this year at 440 E. Main Street.

Burgerim means "many burgers" in Hebrew. The eatery serves up 2.8 ounce burgers made to order individually, in duos or in trios. Your choices include 3 types of buns, 11 patties (beef, dry aged beef, Wagyu beef, Merguez (spicy beef), turkey, lamb, chicken, salmon, veggie, Spanish beef and falafel and a variety of sauces and toppings.

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria Opening at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Tuesday, September 24th

UPDATE 9/20/19: Texas de Brazil will be opening on September 24th

Texas de Brazil is a churrascaria, or Brazilian steakhouse, that features several cuts of flame-grilled beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage as well as an extravagant salad area with a wide array of seasonal chef-crafted items.

It will be opening a new location at what was Famous Dave’s at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard until it closed in January. The closest locations are in Irvine and Fresno. texasdebrazil.com

The Cheesecake Factory at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard to Open April 16th

According to Oscar Flores of FoxLA, The Cheesecake Factory is opening its new location at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Tuesday, April 16, 2018, the day after Tax Day 2019.

They are currently accepting applications for hosts, bussers, servers, cashiers, line cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, dessert makers, stewards and prep cooks at www.cakecareers.com.

Do let me know when they are hiring taste testers. I’m all over that.

www.thecheesecakefactory.com

Famous Dave's at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard Closed Its Doors Last Month

Famous Dave’s opened its 3rd Ventura County location at The Collection at RiverPark on December 18, 2013.

More recently, last month, Famous Dave’s closed it sole remaining Ventura County location - this very Oxnard location. It operated at The Collection for approximately five years.

The Simi Valley location closed in January 2016. The Thousand Oaks location (now home to Blaze Pizza and The Habit Burger), closed in January 2015.

That means, no more Famous Dave’s here in Ventura County. Perhaps not a big surprise, given its 3 out of 5 star rating in Yelp. That’s not particularly easy to do.

If you still have a hankering for Famous Dave’s BBQ, not to worry. It is available just 85 miles away from the Conejo Valley in Irvine. Or just 77 miles away in Rancho Cucamonga. Or if you’d prefer, there’s a Bakersfield location, which is about two hours away. www.famousdaves.com

Channel Islands National Park Islands Accessible to Public During Government Shutdown

During the shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. At Channel Islands National Park the park islands, with the exception of San Miguel Island, will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. The park’s mainland visitor center and island visitor contact stations are closed.

There will be no National Park Service (NPS)-provided visitor services at Channel Islands National Park, including public information, and restroom and campground maintenance. Park concessioners will operate as usual.

Park visitors are advised to use extreme caution during their visit as NPS personnel will not be available to provide guidance, assistance, or emergency response. Any entry onto NPS property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk.

All island campgrounds and restrooms are open and accessible to visitors. There will be no campground check-in/check-out services and visitors holding campground reservations should be aware that there is no guarantee their reserved campsite will be ready and available during a government shutdown.

www.nps.gov/chis/learn/news/pr122218.htm

Whale Watching Season at Channel Islands Harbor December 26, 2018 through Mid-April 2019

Blue Whale Tail (Photo Credit: David Beeninga)

It’s that time of year to catch a glimpse of nature during Whale Watching Season taking place off the coast of Oxnard.  The season officially begins the day after Christmas, December 26 and continues through mid to late April 2019.

Both Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, and Channel Islands Sportfishing Center offer whale watching excursions directly from Channel Islands Harbor.  Island Packers provides 3 ½ hour non-landing narrated trips with morning and afternoon departures available.  The fare is $38 for adults; $34 for seniors 55+; $28 for children (3-12), and free for children 3 and under.  Trips run through mid- April 2019.

Channel Islands Sportfishing Center provides half-day morning whale watching excursions during the week and on the weekends with a morning and afternoon departure, running from December 26 through April 30, 2019.  Rates are $55 for adults; $45 for seniors; and $35 for children under 12.

Every year, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Pacific Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to and from the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.  A journey through the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary provide visitors the unique opportunity to experience the splendor and beauty of these giants of the deep.  Besides whales, visitors often encounter dolphins, seals, sea lions and a rich variety of bird life, some of which are endangered and protected.

For more information on Oxnard Whale Watching Season, visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.