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| Friday May 09, 2008 |
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A Winter Getaway from L.A. OXNARD, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Clear cool azure seas stretch out to meet the sun filed blue sky. Soft breezes gently caress your skin as you relax on the warm sand. It's just another beautiful day on the beach in Southern California. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Well, today isn't one of those days, and I'm pleased. It's cool and cloudy, windy, wet and cold. The kind of day when you walk along the shore you can feel the emotion of the ocean. No crowds, no kids, no sand kicked in your face while you try to relax. For me this is the perfect winter weekend getaway.
On days like this you won't spend all of your time outside so you'll want stay someplace that makes you feel spoiled without costing a king's ransom. The Embassy Suites, Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard is just such a place. Only an hour or so north of Los Angeles, Oxnard is a town rich with history. it also provides a great central point to partake in the myriad of activities Southern California has to offer. Within easy reach from Oxnard is sailing, golf, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, hiking, biking and shopping. I could go on but I'm not here for that. Remember, I'm here to relax and find some solitude on this cool, blustery, moody weekend. The Embassy Suites suits me. I may not leave the tranquility of this resort for two days. Well, except to hunt for bargains at the nearby factory outlet stores. Upon arrival I pull into the underground parking garage to the sound of rushing water. I look around to see a waterfall in the garage. I'm impressed. I've never seen a waterfall in a parking garage. This cascade is one of several (above the garage) spread throughout the grounds, feeding waterways that criss-cross the resort. The beauty of the gardens, the aroma of the flowers and the sound of the water immediately begin to relax me. After unpacking, I head to the two doors on the opposite side of the room and open them to reveal a stunning view of the ocean and the sandy beach leading up to it. The beach today is nearly empty except a few diehard surfers in wetsuits. Walking the shore this time of the year is quite different than in summer. Not that I'm knocking summertime at the beach -- I have many fond summer beach memories. But without the summertime crowds, the beach gets to rest and you can feel the calm of the ocean and sand.  Doing
nothing all afternoom makes my hungry for dinner. Capistrano's Restaurant
is just steps away from my room. Simply reading a menu can make a mouth
water and this is the place to treat yourself to good food and wine. Roasted
vegetable tart with goat cheese and soft garlic on puff pastry, grilled
filet mignon with garlic confit cloves, vegetables and red wine reduction
sauce, Jumbo diver sea scallops with roasted sweet potatoes, spinach
and ponzu sauce or garlic
pork chops with grilled vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes are just
a few of the items found at Capristrano's, conveniently located within the
resort.
Later, instead of shopping I opt to take a short boat trip across the channel to Santa Cruz Island. I had already ventured to Anacapa Island on a previous trip. Both of these islands are part of the U.S. National Park System and one of America's greatest natural treasures. Too soon the weekend was over. Between the luxury of the resort, the great food and the beauty of the ocean and surrounding area my batteries were recharged. This ought to hold me for a while. Well, at least until June when I go to the Live Oak Music festival for another recharge. Getting ThereBy Car or RV Places to stay For those who seeking a more resort style vacation check out: Embassy Suites Hotel - Mandalay Beach Resort The beach side resort offers all the amenities you expect a resort to have. Residence Inn by Marriott at River Ridge This motor lodge located right on a golf course boasts in room kitchens and a complementary continential breakfasts. Getting to the Channel Islands Island Packers In the Nearby Area:
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