Caribbean Foods - Ventura County - Beaches to Movie Ranches

Accessible beaches and a whole host of nearby attractions that make it definitely worth considering as base camp for your next beach getaway in the Golden State, but the city named Oxnard does lay claim to some of the state's most wide open, la Jolla or Coronado, the name "Oxnard" doesn't quite roll off the tongue like Catalina.

Helps lower those costs. Driving about 60 miles northwest of L.A. But also want to be prudent about costs, that becomes a major consideration for many families who don't want to entirely forego their getaways, and in today's economic climate. The prices for your Oxnard getaway are likely to be a little less than more famous beach communities, sand and scenery, even though this part of Southern California boasts lots of sun.

And about seven miles from our convenient location near the 101 freeway was the beach and nearby Channel Islands Harbor. The Paramount Movie Ranch or nearby cities such as Ventura or Santa Barbara, oxnard is a rather bustling suburban city centrally located so that you can easily visit such attractions as the Reagan Library. Don't let the suburban look and feel of Oxnard fool you.

You begin to realize there are a lot of upscale homes along the beach areas and scads of public parks and access points, as you explore the area. That's just another advantage for folks who prefer some wave action, while the surf can get a little busy because of the beach's angle to the sea. The primary attraction is that beach - a place we've visited on several occasions and never seen more than a few families and surfers scattered over a vast expanse of sand, when you visit Oxnard.

Pee Wee's Big Adventure and Back to the Future were all filmed at Hollywood Beach, mad World, it's a Mad, only You, such movies as Spartacus, in fact. You'll want to check out Hollywood Beach where Clark Gable once lived and where Rudolph Valentino filmed a movie.

Volleyball courts and barbecue areas - kind of a Venice Beach for everyday families, and you'll especially enjoy the dunes at Mandalay Beach where you'll also find jogging paths, mcGrath State Beach is where the bird-watchers flock.

There also are waterfront restaurants and shops down in this part of Channel Island Harbor. Maritime paintings and various sea-themed exhibits, down at Fisherman's Wharf we enjoyed browsing the Ventura County Maritime Museum with its extensive collection of antique sailing ship models.

The hotel features an elaborate business center where you can work uninterrupted, if you do have a smaller room. Solution: separate the suite into a business side and a kid side. Gave us plenty of room to stretch out and was especially convenient for us because we were combining business with pleasure - a nine-year-old who couldn't wait to turn on a Disney movie full blast and a father who had business to conduct while on the road, with its two over-sized rooms, our king suite. A hotel with amenities that appeal to both the leisure traveler and the businessperson, we spent a little time basking in the sun poolside at the Courtyard Marriott Oxnard Ventura, after checking out the nearby attractions.

Don't miss the hotel's full breakfast buffet offered each morning - it's an amazing assortment of hot and cold dishes offered for one reasonable price, also. Lobby areas and service are all top-notch and befitting Marriott's excellent reputation in the hospitality industry, pool, the new fitness center. This Courtyard is full updated and has pleasant color schemes as well as lots of travelers amenities.

Or south to the Reagan Library and Paramount Ranch, it's quick to hop on the freeway north to Ventura and Santa Barbara. The hotel's location is especially good if you want to use your stay in Oxnard to visit nearby cities and attractions. Which is also a popular spot for business travelers to gather in the early evening, while lunch and dinner are served in the lounge, the Plaza Grill restaurant offers breakfast. And all of the rooms are especially spacious, a little bigger than most you've seen, in fact, this Courtyard is.

And Hopalong Cassidy Returns, the Virginian, the Streets of Laredo, among the movies filmed at the ranch were Gunfight at the OK Corral. And 50's, 40's, 700-acre ranch back in 1927 and proceeded to use it over the decades to film major movies with many of the top-name stars of the 30's, paramount Studios bought the 2. Paramount Ranch was on our list of must-see's this trip because we'd always wanted to visit a movie ranch - a place where they filmed westerns back in that genre's heydays.

Medicine Woman and Diagnosis Murder, quinn. Dr, the Dukes of Hazard, chips, charlie's Angels, more recently, bat Masterson and, the Rifleman, have Gun Will Travel, paramount Ranch was later used for such television shows as The Cisco Kid.

The main attraction at Paramount is the western town that you can walk through -- the scene for many a TV or movie western. But has been turned into a recreational park that is ideal for hikes and picnics and just enjoying the wooded hilly scenery in this part of the Santa Monica Mountains, today the ranch is still used for occasional filming.

These magnificent islands are just off the coast and visitors will find they are completely isolated once the boat leaves them for a camping trip on one of the islands. You can use Oxnard as your jumping off point for a trip to Channel Islands National Park - either half or full day excursions are offered, if you plan ahead.

During winter and early spring you can take whale-watching trips out of the harbor and you can go fishing or enjoy seeing dolphins and other sea life any time of the year. Paddle boats and motor boats are available for rent at Channel Islands Harbor, kayaks, if you just want to get out on the water.

All relatively close by and plotted on a map for visitors to follow, a progression of several different wineries, wine-lovers will enjoy the Ventura County Wine Trail.

Photos and records that help us to learn more about our former president, the library features a fascinating collection of artifacts. Which we made a point to visit in Simi Valley, drive about a half hour east from Oxnard and you'll find the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

The plane used to fly Reagan on his historical trips around the world, the most spectacular exhibit at the library has to Air Force One.