For those who have tried them, Mexican beach resorts are among the most relaxing vacations or getaways imaginable: long stretches of beach, palm trees, a beer or margarita always within easy reach. It’s easy to drift like a fluffy white cloud with only concern for when the next drink server will arrive.
But not many people can afford to do this very often. Airfare today is a bit higher than in years past, so these aren’t exactly cheap vacations. And it’s not worth going to Mexico unless you can stay a week. Who has more than one week to sit and do nothing?
The answer is to find a similar resort that’s a little closer and, when you drop your airfare, a little cheaper. You need to find a place where you can get in your car and drive a few hours, stay two or three days, and come home as refreshed as if you’d been to the Mexican Riviera.
You must visit the Embassy Suites Hotel Mandalay Beach Resort in, of all places, Oxnard, California. This is a California vacation that feels like you’re in the heart of Mexico.
Before visiting the Mandalay Beach Resort, my only memory of Oxnard was when I was 19 years old, driving around California with a friend, eating cans of tuna to save money, and looking for a place to sleep that was as cheap as cheap could get. We found such a place in Oxnard, but we were too scared of our surroundings to sleep.
Fast-forward to the Oxnard of the New Millennium, and while its tourist infrastructure isn’t quite complete, the area is quickly becoming a popular destination for people who enjoy California beach vacations. About an hour’s drive northwest of Los Angeles, the area is close enough to major population areas to be accessible, but undeveloped enough to feel like you’re really getting away from the rat race.
Located on some of the best real estate in the Oxnard area, the Mandalay Beach Resort is everything Oxnard’s visitor industry wants to be: it’s a beachfront playground that’s stylish, has plenty of amenities, lots of open space and a wide beach. that stretches for miles. And yes, it has a lot of Mexican beer and margaritas.
Traveling on Highway 101 northwest of Los Angeles, you would never guess that this tourist area was only a few miles from the highway. The urban sprawl along the freeway isn’t particularly inviting, and most people heading north know that an especially spectacular seaside town of Santa Barbara is just half an hour up the road. So it’s no wonder people just don’t think of Oxnard when they think of vacation paradise.
But if you take the Victoria Avenue exit and drive through several miles of farmland, you’ll come to the area of Mandalay Beach, one of the many beaches along this part of the coast. The Mandalay Bay Resort, with its attractive early California Spanish design, is a large multi-building complex that includes 248 suites in total. Tropical plants, giant palm trees of all varieties, and a series of waterfalls give the resort a similar feel to many beachside resorts we’ve visited in places like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Cozumel. An inviting pool is the centerpiece of the courtyard, while the resort’s restaurant and bar areas are nearby.
We immediately explored the grounds and found our way to the many paved walking and biking trails that criss-cross the beach. Parked near the resort’s beach entrance were several pedal cars and bicycles which, from what we could see, were rented quite frequently by the many families staying at the resort.
The beach itself was one of the most attractive we have seen in Southern California. The complex overlooks an area of sand dunes and beyond that the wide beach. In the distance we saw the Channel Islands, an easy boat trip from the nearby Port of the Channel Islands. Once on the beach, we noticed that there was a lot of walking, both north and south, and even though it was a hot summer Sunday, it was not very crowded compared to other Southern California beaches.
A little north of the resort is Mandalay Beach in Oxnard Park, with extensive gardens and outdoor facilities. Further south is Hollywood Beach, which was the setting for a movie called The Sheik, starring Rudolph Valentino. Filmed in 1924, the film needed a location with an Arabian feel and this part of the coast was considered to have it.
Back at the resort, we settled in for a tan by the pool and could see that the guests were a mix of couples and families that seemed typical of the crowd you’d find at any Mexican beach resort. For all intents and purposes, this was Mexico: just a nicer, gentler version where you don’t have to worry about water, food, or airfare.
The Mandalay suites are spacious and comfortable. Our “king suite” had a king bed in one room and a sofa bed in the other room. The unit was like an apartment with a refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, and wet bar, though you won’t need a kitchen for breakfast because a large one is provided free for all guests. Our suite faced the beach and had a separate table and chairs on the patio with a grassy area nearby.
California beach vacations can include much more than just sitting on the beach, and the Mandalay is no exception. There is much to do in the Oxnard area, including many beach and ocean activities. You can take a trip to the Channel Islands National Park; half-day or full-day excursions are offered. Kayaks, paddle boats and motor boats are available for rent. Or, if you just like to be surrounded by boats, visit the spectacular Channel Islands port, home to 2,600 berths, a maritime museum, three shopping malls and some seaside restaurants.
Not far from Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara are great day trips that are quick and easy to get to by car. About a half hour drive east of the complex is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which we decided to visit in Simi Valley. Reagan’s death and the resulting publicity apparently created even more interest in Reagan and this fascinating collection of artifacts, photos, and records help us learn more about our former president.
Located on a magnificent piece of land overlooking Simi Valley, the Reagan Library is well organized and includes interesting pieces of memorabilia at every turn. Outside the library is a piece of the Berlin Wall, as well as Reagan’s final resting place. Inside are clothing, jewelry, desks, private documents, just about anything you can imagine, taken from various moments in Reagan’s life. Photos help us remember what he was like; for example, when you see a Nancy Reagan dress, you will also see a picture of her in that dress of hers. Especially interesting was the full-scale replica of the Oval Office, which gives you a real idea of what that room feels like and how big it is.
So it turned out that our trip to a Mexican-style resort was actually much more than beer and margaritas: It also turned out to be a history lesson.
TAKE A LOOK
WHERE: Oxnard is 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles and about 30 miles southeast of Santa Barbara.
WHAT: The Embassy Suites Hotel Mandalay Beach is a unique Oxnard resort, clearly the crown jewel of the local tourism industry. While the beach is public, the resort is the only major hotel to take advantage of that particular stretch of sand. Therefore, the beach is beautiful, but with few people. As California beach vacations go, this is at the top tier.
WHEN: At any time of the year. The weather in this part of Southern California is pleasant year-round, though the nights will be chilly, and the ocean much colder, in the winter. Be sure to check out travel deals and vacation packages that may be available at certain times of the year. This resort doesn’t fall under the “cheap vacation” heading, but prices are reasonable.
WHY: The Mandalay Beach Resort is an easily accessible, full-service resort that is off the beaten path, yet close to many beach services and activities. It is an excellent substitute for a Mexican beach vacation.
HOW: To make a reservation or get more information, call 1-805-984-2500 or 1-800-EMBASSY, or visit www.mandalaybeach.embsuites.com – Prices per night for a king suite are around $265 and include free breakfast and a free evening reception. For more information about the Reagan Presidential Library, call (800) 410-8354