Oxnard/Ventura CA- Anyone stayed there, or familiar with?

[MelanieC]

We are looking at one of those two cities as a possilbe vacation spot this summer.

My DH wants to go to the Dallas Cowboy training camp, which is in Oxnard Ca this year. I really want to stay at the Embassy Suites, but we are looking at $200-$250 a night and I can't see spending that much.

I told DH, that I need to have something near the beach and other things to do, or I won't go. If he and my son spend the whole day at the training camp, DD and I must have something fun to do that interests us. So I found Ventura Ca which is 11 miles north. It looks cute and has a Mission (I love old Missions). There is a Holiday Inn (106 military per night) or 118.00 regular. I read a couple of reviews that there is train tracks behind this hotel..........this is the only hotel on the beach. It looks older, more of a highrise, although it says the rooms have been remodeled. The rooms look ugly in the pictures, and the hotel says views of the beach are great, great location, horrible noise from trains and so-so rooms.

The Marriott in Ventura is $139 per night, ajacent to the beach and a public beach that has things to do (it says 2 blocks). It had a 10 million rennovation last year, the pictures of the room and lobby look very nice and new. The reviews I have seen (very few on either hotel) don't mention noise from train and most were while the hotel was under constructions, so the only negativity was in the hotel getting its act together from construction.

I am leaning towards the Marriott, but wondered if any other Disboard members have stayed at one of these hotels and can give me a review, or someone who lives near these areas and can offer me some advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Well, I was born in Port Hueneme, raised in Oxnard, my DH was born in Oxnard as was his DM as was her DM ! My DD was born in Ventura , and happens to be 4th generation Ventura County native !
Random thoughts:
The Ventura beach is nice, but the water is very cold until at least July !
You are lucky because Ventura has an In and Out burger !

Things to do:

explore the mission in Ventura, including a drive up to the cross for a terrific view.

drive to Ojai for the day

drive to Santa Barbara for the day ( one of the prettiest drives outside of Carmel)

If anyone in your family is interested in the Military, Port Hueneme is home of the Navy Seabees, and there is a nice museum on the Navt base in Port Hueneme.

Have you explored the possibilities of staying in the Channel Islands area ?It has a nice harbor and lots of touristy things.

 

[MelanieC]

We will be going the end of July. Do you actually stay on the Channel Islands? Or is it one of the cities on the coast? From what I read, Oxnard and Ventura are the closest towns to the Channel Islands.

 

[mtemm]

Haven't stayed at any of the hotels, but remember the Holiday Inn just from passing it driving. I'd head to the Marriott, personally. LOL! Actually, I'd be more likely to try to stay in Santa Barbara, where I grew up. Gorgeous, and not far from Ventura or Oxnard. At least do a couple of day trips there. If you love Missions, the Santa Barbara one is the Queen of Missions. Very nice, stunning views. Its where I was confirmed so I know it well. There is also one in Santa Inez/Solvang, just north of SB. Cute little town with Danish influence.

Good luck with your choices! Personally, it would never occur to me to vacation in Oxnard or Ventura, maybe because of where I grew up. These used to be our shopping destinations when we wanted bigger than SB offered.

M.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Yes, they are the closest to Channel Islands, but I was reffering to the Harbor area which is nestled into Port Hueneme.





and a bit of trivia.........my first date with my future DH we went to brunch at that harbor, then a walk along the ventura beach (parking next to the Holiday Inn) then we went into Ventura and played minature golf, then rounded it off with Pizza at a ventura restaurant ! Got to love an 8 hr first date

 

[Judy from Boise]

you may want to research Embassy Suites Mandaley Bay, or the Four Points Sheraton Ventura.