Coasting Through Summer

Malibu, Oxnard, Santa Barbara

Visit California’s largest strawberry producer and enjoy what this coastal city has to offer. Besides housing two naval bases — Port Hueneme and Point Mugu Naval Air Station — Oxnard is known for Channel Islands Harbor and Silver Strand Beach. Rent a boat at Fisherman’s Wharf in Channel Islands Harbor, or get in some great surfing at Silver Strand Beach.

For more information, visit channelislandsharbor.org.

Head up to Leo Carrillo State Park for 1.5 miles of beach available for camping, backcountry hiking, swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing, tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring.
If you plan to camp, book in advance.

For more information on state parks and to reserve camping space, visit parks.ca.gov. 

Visit ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria at the Getty Villa while enjoying spectacular views of Malibu. The current summer exhibition features “The Aztec Pantheon and the Art of Empire,” through July 5.

Admission is free, but reservations must be made in advance. (Museum is closed on Tuesdays.)

Tours of the collections and special exhibitions are on the Web site at getty.edu/visit/calendar.

For local hiking and biking, go to the Santa Ynez Mountains, overlooking beautiful Santa Barbara and the ocean. Choose from dozens of trails that follow creeks, offer unparalleled views and lead to sparkling waterfalls.

For information and directions on the various trails, visit santabarbarahikes.com/hikes.

Malibu Creek offers hiking, fishing, bird watching and horseback riding. There are 25 miles of hiking trails, 15 of which are along a stream.

“Planet of the Apes” and M*A*S*H were filmed on location here, too!

See details and description of trails at venturacountytrails.org/trailmaps/malibucreek.html.

Downtown Santa Barbara is a day trip in itself! Walk along beautiful tree-lined State Street. There are more than 150 places to eat plus a Historic Arts District with a variety of art galleries, theaters and museums and hundreds of shops. Walking toward the ocean will lead you to Stearns Wharf, which dates back some 130 years.  Want more? Be sure to check out the Santa Barbara Zoo!

Head past Point Dume to Zuma Beach and enjoy beautiful sandy beaches, surfing, volleyball, beautiful views and lots of sun. Chances are good that you’ll see dolphins!

Check water, wind, surf, sun, and tide conditions at watchthewater.org.

Cool off after a day at the beach with a visit to Herzog Wine Cellars, and take a self-guided tour of this kosher winery! Wine tastings range from $3-$6, but the fee is waived with any purchase from the Tasting Room.
(Closed Saturdays.)

Getty Villa • 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades;  (310) 440-7300.
Zuma Beach • 23050 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu.
Malibu Creek State Park • 1925 Las Virgenes Road, 4 miles south of Highway 101, Calabasas; (818) 880-0367.
Leo Carrillo State Park • 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; (818) 880-0363.
Fisherman’s Wharf • 3810 W. Channel Islands Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard; (805) 985-4852.
Herzog Wine Cellars • 3201 Caminodel Sol, Oxnard; (805) 983-1560.
Stearns Wharf • 230 Stearns Wharf,
Santa Barbara; (805) 564-5518.
Santa Barbara Zoo • 500 Ninos Drive,
Santa Barbara; (805) 963-5695