Channel Islands

Oxnard is a “little bit country, little bit rock-and-roll” kind of place. It sits halfway between bigger (and better known) cities, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and although it’s Ventura County’s largest city, it maintains a cozy, small-town feel. Here, home-style salsa and strawberry festivals peacefully coexist with the famous Hollywood Beach (a past getaway spot for the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable). Whether you choose to kayak

Set a mere 14 miles off California’s Coast, the Channel Islands feel like a world unto themselves. On this eight-island cluster, spectacular views of craggy coasts, not to mention frequent sightings of whale fins, abound. Escape your urban doldrums by snorkeling through kelp forests, exploring mysterious sea caves, and hiking through wilderness wonderlands. To name a few. Here, our guide to a paradise weekend getaway to the Channel Islands. Things