Oxnard/Ventura area vs. Santa Monica
May 25th, 2004 | 01:25 PM
#1
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Oxnard/Ventura area vs. Santa Monica
Wife, child and I will be staying in San Diego this June for 3 nights, then off to Disneyland for 2 nights and finishing our trip in Santa Barbara for 3 nights. Am currently booked at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay, Oxnard for 2 nights (Friday and Saturaday) in between Disney and S.B. but now thinking about the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica as they still have rooms available.
Could anyone contrast the Oxnard/Ventura area vs. the Santa Monica scene? Just looking for scenery, beach time, browsing shops, moderate restaurants. Not interested in nightlife or driving to other attractions. Someone posted about the Embassy Suites being in a windy area. Is beach weather any different in Santa Monica? Don't want to be crushed by people and yet don't want to be bored. Considering the other other places on our itinerary, which would offer the best experience? Thanks.
Could anyone contrast the Oxnard/Ventura area vs. the Santa Monica scene? Just looking for scenery, beach time, browsing shops, moderate restaurants. Not interested in nightlife or driving to other attractions. Someone posted about the Embassy Suites being in a windy area. Is beach weather any different in Santa Monica? Don't want to be crushed by people and yet don't want to be bored. Considering the other other places on our itinerary, which would offer the best experience? Thanks.
May 25th, 2004 | 02:08 PM
#2
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Santa Monica is a much more urban beach town than Oxnard, in the first place. The Miramar is a grand old hotel with great history-- and it's a wonderful place to stay as well (I send clients there all the time, as I work a block away). It's not ON the beach, but on a bluff overlooking it. Beach access is a fair walk down and over (across PCH). However, given the June Gloom phenomenon (that we're previewing today despite a film shoot just below my office window), you may not spend a lot of time on the beach either in SM or in Oxnard. On a sunny day, the beaches get busy.
As the Miramar is a block from the Third Street Promenade, you have a strolling street of middle-tier restaurants and the same shops you see in your local mall. For the funky boutiques, you go down to Main Street (about a mile south), or maybe up to Montana (a half-mile north). There are some outstanding eateries in the immediate area (Michael's, I. Cugini, Ocean Ave. Seafood, El Cholo, etc.), so you won't starve.
Oxnard is lovely, but quite a bit more laid-back and quiet. I don't know much about it, but people who go there like it. I'm a city boy, so I like the hustle and bustle of SM. It really depends on what you want.
As the Miramar is a block from the Third Street Promenade, you have a strolling street of middle-tier restaurants and the same shops you see in your local mall. For the funky boutiques, you go down to Main Street (about a mile south), or maybe up to Montana (a half-mile north). There are some outstanding eateries in the immediate area (Michael's, I. Cugini, Ocean Ave. Seafood, El Cholo, etc.), so you won't starve.
Oxnard is lovely, but quite a bit more laid-back and quiet. I don't know much about it, but people who go there like it. I'm a city boy, so I like the hustle and bustle of SM. It really depends on what you want.
May 25th, 2004 | 02:13 PM
#3
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Hi, we've stayed in both properties with our kids and the activities couldn't be more different. At the Miramar you have all the advantages of the beach at little ways away from the hotel but very convenient to get to. You also have the ease of 3rd Street Promenade with lots of activity, restaurants, shopping, movies, street performers. You couldn't possibly be bored in SM.
Now, in the Mandalay Bay, it's far more of a beachy, laid-back place, not fancy but very family friendly. We rented bikes, played frisbee on the beach, played in the pool, etc. Nothing really nearby tempted us off the property but it was so relaxing and so easy. We like both places but you get a very different experience at each.
Now, in the Mandalay Bay, it's far more of a beachy, laid-back place, not fancy but very family friendly. We rented bikes, played frisbee on the beach, played in the pool, etc. Nothing really nearby tempted us off the property but it was so relaxing and so easy. We like both places but you get a very different experience at each.
May 25th, 2004 | 03:51 PM
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I see that both Oxnard and Ventura have a Harbor area on the coast with some shopping/restaurants. Seems like the areas are geared toward boat trips to channel island which we won't be doing. Are these fairly small areas or can one spend some time there?
Jun 3rd, 2004 | 07:04 AM
#5
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dear knute,
Hope I got to you in time. I was born and raised in Oxnard and know the all the areas you mentioned very well. I'm traveling back to that area soon as well and take my word, there's no contest between Santa Monica and Oxnard/Ventura.
Neither Oxnard or Ventura have anything to offer that you cannot find better in Santa Monica. Santa Monica has the same shopping (actually better, everyone from Oxnard/Ventura goes to Third Street Promenade to shop, equivalent beaches (although probably more crowded), and it also has the Pier, which is basically a carnival type set-up with games and ride that goes pretty much year round, so your kids will have something to do. Apart from the beaches, Oxnard/Ventura has nothing to off as far as entertainment. Oxnard is a very agricultural town, not very rich (save for the Mandalay resort area), and it looks it. Ventura is a little nicer, but not by much. Believe me, the people who live there leave on the weekends. One suggestion. Since you will be passing through Oxnard and Ventura on your way to Santa Barbara, stop at Yolanda's Mexican restaurant (there is one Oxnard and one in Ventura), best mexican food period.
Hope I got to you in time. I was born and raised in Oxnard and know the all the areas you mentioned very well. I'm traveling back to that area soon as well and take my word, there's no contest between Santa Monica and Oxnard/Ventura.
Neither Oxnard or Ventura have anything to offer that you cannot find better in Santa Monica. Santa Monica has the same shopping (actually better, everyone from Oxnard/Ventura goes to Third Street Promenade to shop, equivalent beaches (although probably more crowded), and it also has the Pier, which is basically a carnival type set-up with games and ride that goes pretty much year round, so your kids will have something to do. Apart from the beaches, Oxnard/Ventura has nothing to off as far as entertainment. Oxnard is a very agricultural town, not very rich (save for the Mandalay resort area), and it looks it. Ventura is a little nicer, but not by much. Believe me, the people who live there leave on the weekends. One suggestion. Since you will be passing through Oxnard and Ventura on your way to Santa Barbara, stop at Yolanda's Mexican restaurant (there is one Oxnard and one in Ventura), best mexican food period.
