For many who’ve tried them, Mexican seashore resorts are among the many most enjoyable holidays or getaways one can think about – lengthy stretches of seashore, palm timber, a cerveza or margarita by no means removed from one’s grasp. It is easy to float alongside like some white fluffy cloud together with your solely fear being when the subsequent drink server will come alongside.
However not many of us can afford to do that fairly often.At the moment’s air fare is a bit increased than in previous years so these aren’t precisely low cost holidays. And it is hardly price going to Mexico except you’ll be able to keep every week — who has every week anymore to simply sit and do nothing?
The reply is to discover a comparable resort that is a bit nearer and, if you remove your airfare, a bit cheaper. It’s good to discover someplace the place you’ll be able to simply hop in your car and drive a number of hours, keep two or three days, and get again home simply as refreshed as for those who’d been to the Mexican Riviera.
It’s good to take a look at the Embassy Suites Lodge Mandalay Seaside Resort in, of all locations, Oxnard, California. It is a California trip that feels such as you’re within the coronary heart of Mexico.
Earlier than we visited the Mandalay Seaside Resort, my solely recollection of Oxnard was a time after I was 19 years old driving by means of California with a buddy, consuming cans of tuna fish to economize and in search of a spot to crash that was simply as low cost as low cost may get. We discovered simply such a spot in Oxnard, however have been too afraid of our environment to get to sleep.
Quick ahead to Oxnard of the New Millennium and, whereas its tourism infrastructure is just not fairly full, the realm is quick changing into a preferred vacation spot for individuals who take pleasure in California seashore holidays. About an hour’s drive northwest of Los Angeles, the realm is shut sufficient to main inhabitants areas to be accessible, but undeveloped sufficient to really feel such as you’re actually getting away from the rat race.
Positioned on among the finest real estate within the Oxnard space, the Mandalay Seaside Resort is all the pieces that the Oxnard customer industry desires to be – it is a waterfront playground that has type, plenty of facilities, loads of wide-open areas and a large seashore that stretches for miles. And, sure, it has loads of Mexican beer and margaritas.
Touring Freeway 101 northwest from Los Angeles, you’d by no means think about that this resort space was only a few miles off the freeway. The city sprawl alongside the freeway is just not significantly enticing and most of the people headed north know that an particularly spectacular beachside metropolis of Santa Barbara is simply one other half hour forward. So it is no marvel that individuals simply do not consider Oxnard once they suppose trip paradise.
However for those who take the Victoria Avenue exit and travel throughout a number of miles of agricultural fields, you’ll come to the Mandalay Seaside space, considered one of many seashores alongside this a part of the coast. The Mandalay Bay Resort with its enticing early California Spanish design, is a big complicated of a number of buildings that embrace 248 suites in all. Tropical plants, big palm timber of each selection and a collection of waterfalls give the resort a sense much like many beachside resorts we’ve got visited in locations like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Cozumel. An inviting pool is the centerpiece for the courtyard whereas the resort’s restaurant and bar areas are close by.
We instantly explored the grounds and located our method out to the various paved strolling and bike paths that traverse the seashore. Parked close to the resort’s seashore entrance have been a number of peddle-cars and bicycles that, so far as we may inform, have been getting rented fairly steadily by the various households who have been staying on the resort.
The seashore itself was one of the vital inviting we have seenin Southern California. The resort seems to be out onto an space of sand dunes and, past that, the broad seashore. Off within the distance we saw the Channel Islands, a simple boat journey from close by Channel Islands Harbor. As soon as out to the seashore, we observed that there was loads of strolling — each north and south — and, though this was a heat summer time Sunday, not lots of people in contrast with different Southern California seashores.
Just a little bit north of the resort is the Mandalay Seaside at Oxnard Park with its sweeping lawns and outdoor services. Additional south is Hollywood Seaside, which was the placement for a film referred to as The Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino. Filmed in 1924, the film wanted a location with an Arabian really feel and this a part of the coast was deemed to have it.
Again on the resort, we settled in for some critical poolside solar tanning and will see that the friends have been a combination of {couples} and households who appeared typical of the gang you’ll discover at any Mexican seashore resort. For all intents and functions this was Mexico – only a kinder, gentler model wherein you haven’t any worries in regards to the water, the meals or the airfare.
The suites on the Mandalay are spacious and comfy. Our “king suite” had a king bed in a single room and sofa-bed within the different room. The unit was apartment-like with a fridge, coffee maker, microwave and moist bar – though you will not want a kitchen for breakfast as a result of a giant one is obtainable free for all friends. Our suite opened out to the seashore and had a separate table and chairs on the patio with a close-by garden space.
California seashore holidays can embrace rather more than sitting on the seashore, and the Mandalay isn’t any exception. There’s loads todo within the Oxnard space together with many seashore and ocean actions. You may make a journey out to the Channel Islands Nationwide Park – both half or full day excursions are provided. Kayaks, paddle boats and motor boats can be found for lease. Or, for those who simply take pleasure in being round boats, go to the spectacular Channel Islands Harbor, home to 2,600 boat slips, a maritime museum, three shopping facilities and a few waterside eating places.
Not removed from Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara are nice day journeys which are fast and simple to achieve by car. A few half-hour drive east from the resort is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which we made a degree to go to in Simi Valley. The demise of Reagan and the ensuing publicity apparently has created much more curiosity in Reagan and this fascinating assortment of artifacts, photographs and data assist us to be taught extra about our former president.
Positioned on an impressive piece of land overlooking the Simi Valley, the Reagan Library is properly organized and consists of fascinating bits of memorabilia at each flip. Outdoors the library is a chunk of the Berlin Wall, in addition to Reagan’s remaining resting place. Inside are clothing, jewellery, desks, non-public papers – absolutely anything you’ll be able to think about – taken from numerous factors of Reagan’s life. Photographs assist us to recollect the way it was – for instance, if you see a costume worn by Nancy Reagan, you additionally will see a photograph of her sporting that costume. Particularly fascinating was the full-scale duplicate of the Oval Workplace – which provides you a real sense of what that room appears like, and the way giant it’s 아포스티유.
So, because it turned out, our journey to a Mexican-like resort really was rather more than cerveza and margaritas – it turned out to be a historical past lesson as properly.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Oxnard is 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles and about 30 miles southeast of Santa Barbara.
WHAT: The Embassy Suites Lodge Mandalay Seaside is a one-of-a-kind resort in Oxnard, clearly the crown jewel of the native tourism industry. Whereas the seashore is public, the resort is the one main lodge benefiting from that individual stretch of sand. Therefore, the seashore is gorgeous, however uncrowded. As California seashore holidays go, that is within the high tier.
WHEN: Any time of the 12 months. Climate on this a part of Southern California is nice year-round, though nights will likely be chilly – and the ocean will likely be a lot colder — in winter. You should definitely test for travel offers and trip packages which may be accessible sure instances of the 12 months. This resort doesn’t fall beneath the heading of “low cost holidays” however costs are affordable.
WHY: The Mandalay Seaside Resort is an easy-to-reach, full service resort that’s off-the-beaten path however nonetheless near many seashore services and actions. It is an awesome drive-to substitute for a Mexican seashore trip.
HOW: To make a reservation or get extra data, phone 1-805-984-2500 or 1-800-EMBASSY, or go to www.mandalaybeach.embsuites.com – Costs per evening for a king suite are about $265 and embrace free breakfast and a free night reception. For extra data on the Reagan Presidential Library, name (800) 410-8354