Oxnard, California

Oxnard, California lies on a scenic stretch of the Pacific Ocean coastline in Ventura County. The largest city within Ventura County, Oxnard is the regional center for Ventura's thriving agricultural industry. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and offering majestic mountain views, Oxnard is home to a thriving residential community of 175,906 residents (2008 est. U.S. Census). Families make up nearly 80% of the population in Oxnard.

Typically, an Oxnard resident's first and only dealings with the California Judicial Branch are in one of the 58 trial courts, called Superior Courts. These courts are located in each county of the state. Oxnard utilizes the Ventura County Superior Court. The Ventura Hall of Justice is at the Government Center, 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura, California, 93009. Superior courts hear civil and criminal cases including felonies, as well as family, probate, and juvenile cases.

The Courts of Appeal are the next highest judicial authority within California. The Courts of Appeal review contested decisions of the superior courts. The Supreme Court of California has the highest judicial authority within the California judicial Branch and reviews decisions from the Courts of Appeal, especially decisions in which the death penalty is imposed. The California Courts' Online Self-Help Center provides California residents with helpful information regarding the California Judicial Branch. In Oxnard, California, personal injury cases are decided in the civil courts

Adjacent communities to Oxnard include Ventura and Camarillo. Just south of Oxnard, CA, is Naval Base Ventura County, which consists of Port Hueneme, San Nicolas Island, and Naval Air Station Point Mugu. Oxnard is home for many of the military personnel and civilians working at Naval Base Ventura County, and strong economic and social ties exist between Oxnard and the Naval Base. The immediate areas surrounding Oxnard are mainly agricultural, with the Santa Clara River forming part of the northern boundary of Oxnard, CA.

Agriculture generates a substantial number of jobs for Oxnard residents, including production, processing, and shipping of crops. Oxnard is well known for its strawberry crops. Oxnard hosts the annual California Strawberry Festival during the summer at Oxnard College, a community college located in Oxnard that is popular with the military personnel stationed at the Naval Base Ventura County.

Oxnard is a major transportation hub in Southern California, with Amtrak, Union Pacific, Metrolink, and Greyhound serving the city. In addition, Oxnard, CA has a regional airport called Oxnard Airport. The nearby Port of Hueneme is the only deep-harbor commercial port between Los Angeles and San Francisco, providing shippers easy access to trade with the Pacific Rim. The port is jointly operated by the United States Navy and the Oxnard Harbor District.

Oxnard, CA residents have numerous health care options. Healthcare providers serving the city include St. John's Regional Medical Center; Maywood Acres Healthcare, a nursing home and rehabilitation center; and the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, CA.

Oxnard's most scenic asset is the Pacific Ocean coastline, with several beaches located within the city, including McGrath State Beach and Mandalay Beach State Park. Oxnard maintains numerous recreational facilities for residents, including the River Ridge Golf Club, a tennis center, and community parks. Given Oxnard's coastal location, water sports, fishing, boating, and whale watching are all popular recreational activities in the city.

Oxnard houses one harbor, Channel Islands Harbor, on the south shore of Oxnard. Channel Islands Harbor is vital to the local fishing industry in Oxnard and, as a bonus, offers fun-filled water activities for Oxnard families.