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Gateway to the Central Coast

Where Pacific Coast Highway meets the 101 Freeway north of Malibu, you’ll discover the trendy coastal city of Oxnard, gateway to California’s Central Coast and home to a California Welcome Center.

Discover California’s coastline: experience world-renown Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to Oxnard; go whale watching form the Channel Islands Harbor; hike the Channel Islands; enjoy wine tasting along Ventura County’s Wine Trail; watch seal’s play in Carpinteria; take in the surf at the Rincon; stroll Santa Barbara’s East Beach; hit the dunes in Santa Maria; spend a day among Santa Ynez Valley wineries; listen to waves at Big Sur. California’s Central Coast boasts sights and sounds, flavors and cultural experiences that no other region delivers.

Only in the Central Coast. Only in California.

Begin your fun in Oxnard, the "Gateway to the Central Coast". Enjoy whale watching, only 11 miles from Oxnard's Channel Islands Harbor. Explore restored farm homes at Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Discover the Channel Islands National Park and The Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Visit the memorable Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, with Air Force One in Simi Valley. See Ventura's historic San Buenaventura Mission, built in 1782. Discover the Ventura County Wine Trail. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be California.

Make the California Welcome Center Oxnard the first stop on your Central Coast adventure. You'll find info on local, regional and statewide attractions, tickets to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Disneyland and Universal Studios, gifts and souvenirs, a cyber surf spot, clean restrooms, and above all, friendly and professional staff to assist you with your travel planning needs.

Discover why Oxnard is the Gateway to the Central Coast.

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The California Welcome Center Oxnard
1000 Town Center Dr Ste 135
Oxnard, CA 93036

Phone: (805) 385-7545 x224
Fax: (805) 385-7571
Email: info.oxnard@visitcwc.com

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Channel Islands Whale Watching

Spy whales spouting in a spectacular setting.

It's not often you get to see the world's largest living mammal. But take a whale-watching trip to the protected waters surrounding the Channel Islands and you will likely add that wildlife-watching notch to your belt. The waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary offer unparalleled chances to see migratory blue whales, usually in spring and summer. That time of year, it's not uncommon to see several of these 90-foot-long leviathons on a single trip. You might also encounter beautiful humpback whales and playful dolphins, as well as fascinating sea birds. In winter months, look for California gray whales as they make their annual migration from warm southern waters north towards Alaska.

Guided whale-watching tours are a great way to learn about the region's delicate balance of life, and how to help protect it. One guide service to consider is  Island Packers . The company's all-day trip for blue whales heads to the western edge of the northern Channel Island group, a truly wild and breathtaking experience you'll never forget. Just remember to dress warmly and don't forget your camera!

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» Ceramics Rediscovered
January 6, 2010 10:00 AM to January 31, 2011 4:30 PM

Discover how ceramics were made, used and traded in early California with the newest exhibit at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, Ceramics Rediscovered: Science Reshapes Understanding of Hispanic Life in Early California. Based on a decade-long investigation of ceramic production using archaeological evidence and scientific analysis, the exhibit offers a rare glimpse into daily life during California’s Spanish and Mexican periods (1769-1848). Featuring period artifacts and reproduction pottery, this groundbreaking exhibit traces the evolution of California’s earliest potters and the material culture they helped shape.

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