Vacation Like a Dallas Cowboy and Explore Oxnard, California This Fall

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Football season is back, baby. We waited all summer for America’s team to take the field again, and there’s nothing like seeing those blue and white uniforms take the field. While they may not have been on our screens this summer, that doesn’t mean they weren’t busting those shoulder pads off getting ready for primetime. Our beloved Dallas Cowboys simply relocate from Arlington to Oxnard over the summer, and who can blame them? 

2026 was the 20th anniversary of Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard, California. This milestone season was a major celebration for the community. It brought together Cowboys fans, local families, visitors, and businesses throughout the training camp season.

Oxnard Fan Night at The Collection at RiverPark was a major highlight, featuring exclusive performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Cowboys mascot Rowdy, family entertainment, and appearances by two Cowboys legends: Nate Newton and Charles Haley. Newton is a three-time Super Bowl Champion, six-time Pro Bowler, and two-time First Team All-Pro, while Haley is a five-time Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer. 

Twenty years of Training Camp for America’s Team in the West Coast town with a star-studded lineup and America’s 250th anniversary? Could this summer have been any more patriotic?

If you’re looking to travel like America’s Team, there’s only one place to go if you want the true experience: Oxnard, California. And while the team summers there, fall is also an incredible time to visit. For Texans looking for a Southern California getaway, autumn offers the perfect time to experience the town with comfortable weather, fiery sunsets, expansive uncrowded beaches, and a full calendar of events. You’re right on time.

About Oxnard

Just 60 miles north of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, Oxnard is the quintessential Southern California getaway. Its relaxed and refined beach experience is worlds away from the crowds often associated with larger coastal destinations. It’s easy to see why the Dallas Cowboys have called it their summer home for the past two decades.

With a mix of affordable and luxury accommodations, oceanfront dining, coastal recreation, and, of course, the exclusive opportunity to experience the Cowboys in an intimate setting ahead of this season’s kickoff, Oxnard has it all.

Where to Stay

For a true luxury coastal escape, Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach is the perfect option. The definition of the perfect landing spot for your California getaway, Zachari Dunes is Oxnard’s premier all-suite beachfront resort located directly on the sand. The resort offers sweeping ocean views, spacious suite accommodations, private beach access, coastal-inspired dining, and resort-style amenities that create a sophisticated yet laid-back beach retreat. Other ideal accommodations include side-by-side sister properties TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites, which just opened Oxnard’s first rooftop bar and restaurant called Flora Loca. Wherever you choose, you’ll be in the heart of all the action and everything Oxnard has to offer.

What to Explore

Get a taste of local culture at one of the renowned beaches. Oxnard’s expansive and uncrowded beaches create a true sense of escape and tranquility rarely found in Southern California’s more heavily trafficked beach destinations. Beaches such as ‘olołkoy Beach Park and Mandalay Beach offer wide open shorelines, stunning sunsets, and peaceful coastal experiences ideal for travelers seeking relaxation and privacy. Fall is an opportunity to experience Oxnard at a more relaxed pace, from its expansive and uncrowded beaches and waterfront experiences to local restaurants, events, and outdoor adventures.

There are plenty of other luxury leisure activities as well, including paddleboarding, private harbor cruises including Venetian gondola rides, beachside relaxation, and shopping at The Collection at RiverPark. Oxnard is the closest access point to Channel Islands National Park, where you can hike or kayak epic sea caves.

And Downtown Oxnard was recently designated as one of California’s official Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council, highlighting the city’s vibrant arts, culture, and culinary identity. This fall, there are numerous cultural events for guests to celebrate, with something for every age.

Oxnard celebrates Día de los Muertos throughout the community, including events such as Panteón Fest and beautiful Day of the Dead altars throughout Downtown Oxnard. Of course, there is also Halloween at Channel Islands Harbor. The annual Parade of Frights brings Halloween to the harbor with a full day of activities. The day begins with a Halloween-themed paddle in the morning, followed by the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market and a trick-or-treat village for kids, before ending with the Halloween-themed Parade of Frights boat parade. 

And don’t forget the Fall Car Shows. Channel Islands Harbor hosts a lineup of car shows throughout the year, giving visitors another reason to spend a fall weekend exploring the harbor. The town is full of magic this season.

What to Eat and Drink

Oxnard features an incredible and luxurious food and beverage scene. First stop? A visit to Herzog Wine Cellars, one of California’s premier winery destinations known for award-winning wines and elevated tasting experiences.

Afterwards, head to Tierra Sur. Located on-site at Herzog Wine Cellars, Tierra Sur offers an acclaimed farm-to-table dining experience showcasing locally sourced ingredients paired with exceptional wines in an elegant setting. Channel Islands Harbor also provides additional waterfront dining opportunities for other days that you’re out and about.

This fall, vacation like a Dallas Cowboy and explore Oxnard, California. There’s a reason they’ve been calling it home for the past 20 years.

For more information and to start planning your trip, go to VisitOxnard.com.