No one outside of Ventura County has ever heard of Oxnard but to natives, it's the place we call home. Oxnard is a beautiful, albeit small city nestled between Camarillo and Ventura. Oxnard, like every city, has its perks and quirks, here are the top 10 signs that you're from Oxnard, California.
1. The biggest festival in town is the Strawberry Festival in May.
Everywhere you go, you are reminded that Oxnard produces the best strawberries! Driving down Rice Avenue, there are pop up fruit stands almost every mile and if you look down the rows you can see, and smell, the pungent smell of fresh strawberries. Every May Oxnard hosts the California Strawberry Festival, you've been so many times that it's not a big deal anymore but to tourists, it's the cutest little festival they've ever seen.
2. You religiously listened to the Rico and Mambo morning show every day on the way to school.
Every morning you begged your Mom to turn the radio to q104.7. She would always make a scene about it but secretly you know she loved it too. Rico and Mambo were not only easily the funniest guys on the radio, they also played the best music3. Silverstrand is your favorite beach to go to.
If you're not from the area, you won't understand our obsession with Silverstrand. It's not only the best beach in town because of the amazing waves, soft sand and the view of the Channel Islands in the horizon, it's the best because of the beautiful beachfront homes. Every time you go, you always make sure to lay your things down near your favorite house, because one day, it's going to be yours.
4. The Ventura County fair is a big freaking deal.
You wait for summer every single year, not just because school's out, but because that's the time that the Ventura County fair pops up. When you were younger, you went with your family, ate great food, looked at all the exhibits and rode your favorite carnival rides. Now that you're older, you can finally go by yourself or with your friends. This means you can ride however many rides that you want and you finally get the chance to go to the concerts at the fair!
5. The most dangerous parking lot in town is the Wal-Mart parking lot.
You don't even like Walmart but you go anyway cause they have the cheapest products and it's super close to your house. It's like the world's worst drivers converge in this parking lot. Every time you go to Walmart, you either almost get run over or someone honks at you because they're in a hurry. Also, fun fact, this Walmart is claimed to be haunted by a little girl. She specifically hangs out in the toy section, so next time you're there, keep an eye out for her.6. Toppers is a MAJOR obsession.
Toppers is hands down the best pizza place! Everyone else's hometown pizza place is trash compared to the gift of God that is Toppers. The pizza is to die for and they have the best ranch in the world. You don't know how they do it but they give you the best pizza you've ever had, every single time.
7. The 101 freeway is your saving grace, it will literally take you everywhere.
You take the 101 every day. You take it to go to school, go to the mall, live your life. The 101 connects you to Los Angeles but it also connects you to Santa Barbara. After long trips, you're relieved when you hit the 101 because that means you're almost home.
8. The first Thursday of the month is your favorite because that's when the Oxnard food trucks are open at Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard.
It's super crowded and hard to find parking but you go every time. There's live music, a bunch of cool people and you're surrounded by FOOD. So many different types of food trucks. It's amazing to be able to try something completely different every month.